The suns glare down as I skim across the sand, my wings spread to keep me light enough so my feet don't sink.

Starlight has given way to sunlight, highlighting the smooth lines of the dunes spreading in every direction. Simultaneously soothing and monotonous to the eye. The journey is going swifter now that I am alone.

Without my treasure.

Another stab of pain goes through me, settling back into the dull ache that has been plaguing me ever since I left the Tribe behind.

Left Mei behind.

Left my treasure alone in her furs.

I growl to myself as I force my legs and wings to keep pumping as I think about what I did to her. I let her fall in love with me, knowing what I have to do. What needs to be done.

I put my own desire for her above protecting her, above ensuring that I didn't hurt her. I should have stayed away. I know that. I should have made a clear cut.

Instead, I hurt her when I told her I was unworthy, that she would find someone better. My intention was to distance myself, to end our relationship before I left. But I couldn't do it.

Rather than continue through with that intention, I mated with her again that very night!

As if that was not enough, I left while she was sleeping.

No explanation.

No goodbye.

It’s a terrible thing to do to someone I love. I hope she realizes that I only did so because I am weak, that I did not mean to leave her in such a cruel manner. That I did not mean to harm her in any way.

I fear she will think exactly what she thought when I attempted to break away from her after leaving the oasis—that I do not care for her at all, but only wanted her for her body.

That is so far from the truth, which is that I simply could not bear to leave her without loving her the only way I could. The only way I could allow myself to.

When we were together . . . I didn't have to hold back how I felt with my body, like I had to with my words. I could touch her and taste her however I wanted, love her with abandon.

I hate myself for the weakness of that act even as the memory of it still stirs me.

I want her, even now. Even when I know I am going to my death. Even when I know that I cannot be there to provide for her, to protect her.

I truly am worthless.

Only someone beyond help could hurt the female he loves in such a selfish manner. It is further proof of what I am, of the crimes I need to atone for. The thought has me lengthening my stride, pushing another bit of speed out of myself.

I need to move quickly.

I know Ragnar and he knows me.

He will know exactly where I am going and why I am going there. So I know my time is limited.

My brother is a good person, a leader. Even if he no longer feels anything for me, he will be moved to come after me. To make certain I do not carry out my plan. He will think that he is doing what is best for everyone, that I am misguided and must be stopped. He will see it as his responsibility because I am his brother.

He'll likely come with others. I do not know exactly how far ahead of them I am, so I need to travel quickly. Not only so they do not stop me, but to ensure they are safe. Where I intend to go, there is only danger. I cannot have more pain on my conscience, more lives.

No.

I must accomplish my goal, fulfill my duty, without hurting one more person. I push myself hard, my lungs burning, my wings and legs feeling the strain. I reach the oasis quickly, faster than even I thought I could. I scan the lush green of it. The deceptively alluring beauty of it hiding the ugly truth underneath.

I slow as I reach the edge. There are many dangers here apart from the one I have come to face. This will all be for nothing if I allow myself to be killed before I even reach my true goal.

I creep through the plants, trying not to touch the thick, waxy leaves, the slender blades of grass.

Quiet.

I glide through the green, my eyes locked on the compound. Or what is left of it. It is in worse shape than we left it.

I walk through the courtyard, my eyes lingering on the area where Mei and I stayed. The sharp ache at the thought of her is familiar now. If by some miracle I live, I know it will not go away. Mei is forever a part of me now.

Forcing myself to look away, I step into the first room. But there are memories of her even here. This entire place is now associated with her.

I clench my jaw. I cannot dwell on that. I must focus on my duty. On what must be done.

Gritting my teeth, I keep going, stepping carefully and listening for any signs of danger. An ominous rumble sounds as the ground begins to roll. Now I realize why the buildings look so much worse for wear since yesterday.

This tremor is worse than the ones we endured while we were here, much worse.

I struggle to stay upright, using the walls and fallen columns and beams to keep moving in the direction I need to go, deeper into the compound. A loud crashing noise has me jerking my head over to the side. A whole section of the wall has caved in, just feet away.

I must move faster, worried the path may not stay clear.

I hear an ominous creaking as I struggle forward. And have to lunge to the side as a column breaks in half, its heavy top falling over with a crash that only just misses me. Then a piece of the ceiling comes crashing down on one side of me, with the tremor giving no sign of diminishing. And then another crashes down.

Grimly, I start to run as best as I can, jumping from place to place, using my wings to help stabilize myself. A large chunk of rock hits me on the shoulder hard enough to bruise, but I shake it off and keep going. Another almost crushes my foot, but I move quickly enough to avoid more than a glancing blow.

I just need to keep going, keeping moving in the direction I need to go. If tremors like this keep occurring, the way through may soon be blocked. I dodge and weave, ignoring the small cuts and bruises I sustain as I fight for forward progress.

Then I hear a rushing sound from above. Now a deep crack runs right down the middle of the ceiling in the room I am in. Dust rains down on me as another particularly violent shudder racks the floor underneath me.

The ceiling drops down at an angle.

Splitting in half.

The whole thing is coming down.

I look across the room, judging the distance. It is too far. I hear another ominous sound from above me, but don't look as I leap across the floor, keeping my eye on my goal. I might not live to fulfill my duty. But that is not what I think of as I attempt to escape the room with my life.

No.

All I can think of is Mei. Even when facing death.