It crumbles. It all falls apart.

Cara twitched. She could see him instinctively gravitate to the flame-haired green-eyed beauty. Holding out some food and an extra coat he smiled warmly at her. One glance at his face and it was obvious he was besotted with her. She felt a twinge of annoyance and shuffled her feet, staring at the ground as she tried to make it less obvious that she was present. Peeking out from the dappled shadow of the forest canopy, she tried her best to remain concealed among the sturdy tree trunks as she strained to see or hear what they were conversing about.

"I'm sorry Lucas I can't except your gifts"

Cara could see Lucas run his hand frustratedly through his golden blonde hair as he tried to persuade her to accept it. Their voices became even more muffled and she was straining to catch what they were saying.

"No. You should be taking care of your mate! Cara deserves your gentle care and concern. I have Lucian, he'll take care of me."

Cara's interest piqued as she anticipated Lucas's reply.

"She can take care of herself. Besides, my duty to our nation comes first."

Cara froze.

She could feel her heart twist as she replayed his rejection over and over in her head. Unable to listen to the conversation anymore, she turned and fled further into the forest.

Tears streamed down her face as she tried to regulate her breathing and calm her heart down. She suddenly halted and closed her eyes. Thoughts raced furiously through her stunned mind.

'He never did care for you'

'He only acknowledged your presence because of his duty to Kiera and his beloved nation'

'You're nothing but just another obligation to him'

Cara never really was one of the strongest warriors at heart. She could not find the strength to stop the furious race of tears down her face. So she just let them fall. They fell to the soft forest floor with a muffled pitter patter.

~

I let it fall, my heart...and as it fell you rose to claim it.