"I had no choice," I sigh, my voice filled with weariness and regret. "Tell me you believe me at least, Boris."
Boris remains silent, his gaze fixed on something beyond the railing. Lost in his thoughts, he seems distant, oblivious to my presence. I follow his line of sight, drawn to the crowd of maids in the gardens, their chatter blending with the sound of flowing water. He looks positively lost, staring at one in particular. Brown hair, meek and pleasant faced.
"Like her?"
He blinks, returning to the present, and a blush spreads across his face. "No," he stammers, his embarrassment evident.
I give him a knowing look before releasing an exasperated sigh and turning my gaze back to the castle gates. Rune has been absent all day, and uncertainty gnaws at me. Guilt is eating me up from inside, even if I know I had every right to keep the truth from him.
Today, for the first time, I attempted to reach out through our bond, seeking connection, but only silence greeted me. Not anger, just a haunting silence. Since then, I have stood here, my eyes fixed on the gates, waiting for his return. I know I shouldn’t have insinuated that he’s a monster, but I didn’t think my words through before speaking them.
A thud breaks the silence, and I turn my head to find Darian approaching. I straighten abruptly, and Boris mumbles that he'll be nearby before excusing himself.
Darian stops a few feet away from me, and as our gazes meet, I detect a softness in his eyes that wasn't there before. After hearing my outburst, he feels pity for me now?
"Darian," I greet him, my voice laced with unease.
"You didn't respond to any of my letters," he says, breaking our locked gaze and glancing at the blooming flowers in the garden. "I thought I should come and see for myself if you were alright, if he had hurt you again."
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. I part my lips to speak, but no words come forth. What could I possibly say to him to make things right?
He offers a sad smile, and my attention is drawn to his fingers as they brush against mine. His touch is warm and firm as he lifts both my hands to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to my knuckles. My heart skips a beat, and I pull back slightly, unsure of how to interpret the gesture. "Dar—"
He chuckles softly. "I needed closure, that's all. You're a mated female. I understand what that means, princess."
"I'm sorry," I whisper, my voice barely audible. "I truly am."
“You have nothing to apologize for. Not for the wedding, not for loving him. I knew you did. I knew it was borrowed time. But I hoped—"
“Dar, please,” I tell him, fingers reaching for him. I stop halfway, deeming it silly to even try console him when I’m the reason he’s hurt in the first place.
His brilliant eyes shift to my stomach, and I instinctively place my hand over it. "Congratulations," he adds, if a bit tightly, and his smile falters as sadness engulfs his features. His eyes glisten with redness, and he closes them, releasing a harsh breath. "Fuck, I can't."
He walks away, disappearing down the hallway before I can react. The thought of going after him crosses my mind, but deep down, I know it is useless. Nothing I say can change our situation, and perhaps that is what hurts him the most—That I do not want to change this. Being Rune's mate, Rune being in love with me, and the fact that I am important to him—I have assumed the worst of him, adding to his pain.
It feels... surreal. Like living in a dream I never thought possible, and I desperately want to preserve this feeling.
The sound of a horse neighing and galloping catches my attention. I look up to find Gin riding in, hoping to sense the familiar pull that accompanies Rune's presence, but there is none. Rune isn't riding alongside her.
Gin stops by the stables and dismounts swiftly, blue gown swaying behind her. I strain my ears, attempting to overhear her conversation with the stable boy. "Fix the saddle, it's broken. I'll be back in thirty minutes."
She rushes inside, her eyes scanning the surroundings to ensure no one is watching—particularly me, it seems. What in the three realms...
My thoughts begin to race in various directions. Is Rune safe? Where is he? Why did Gin return alone? Did something happen to Rune? I dash down the stairs, careful to keep my steps quiet. Rune's parents are occupied in the throne room, attending to matters of the kingdom. A few people walk the hallways as I pass by, exchanging greetings while keeping my focus on Gin's flowing blonde hair.
She moves swiftly, navigating through the crowd effortlessly, greeting and avoiding people with a sweet smile adorning her face. Suddenly, she veers to the right, disappearing into the hallway that leads to her room. I quicken my pace.
Moments later, I find her. Her door is slightly ajar, and she's hastily hurking clothes into a small box, as if preparing for a vacation. I push the door open, and she freezes, her head snapping in my direction. "Get out of my room!"
I step inside, vaguely taking note of the meticulously arranged shoes, dresses, and boxes of jewelry scattered throughout the space. My gazed, however, is fixed on the box, and the flimsy nightwear she holds. A scandalous make of laces and ropes and net. "Where are you going? Where is Rune?"
"That's none of your concern," she retorts, her voice brimming with hate and anger. She storms toward me, grabbing my arm and attempting to push me out, but I wrench my arm free from her grip.
"You left with him. Where is he? What is the meaning of this?" I demand, pointing at the packed bags.
She tosses the nightwear into the box and leans back, crossing her arms. "Do I really need to spell it out for you?"
Confusion furrows my brows, and I blink. "As a matter of fact, Ginevra, yes. You do. MY husband left with you this morning, without a body of guards to follow. You return alone, without him. I demand that you tell me where he is."
Tension crackles between us, and I allow her see the danger brewing within me, simmering in my very breath. Taking a step forward, my teeth bared, a low growl escapes my throat. "Where is he?"
She pales, taking a step back. "There was an attack from one of the villages. He is busy assisting with the evacuation. I came back to collect my things and his. He asked me to spend the night with him since he won't be returning until the work is done." She gestures toward her packed bag. "I am preparing for a trip with Rune."
I remain motionless, rooted in place, for a mere five seconds. In that brief span of time, a whirlwind of emotions engulfs me. Denial—It can't be true. How could he ask her to spend the night with him after everything we've shared in the past few days? Jealousy—Why Gin? Hatred—Toward both Gin and Rune for turning me into a mockery. Despair—Why is this happening now? He just found out that I am carrying his child, and though, I understand that he is mad but really? Everything he had said to me, had it all been a lie to get under my skin?
Anger.
But the final emotion trumps all. No. Never again.
I storm toward Gin's box, shoving her with enough force to send her crashing into her closet. Then, with reckless abandon, I empty the contents of the box, tearing through the fabrics in the process. I have no idea when my claws ripped from my fingers but I couldn’t care less at this point.
"What are you doing?!" Gin screams, lunging for me.
At the last moment, I turn to face her, my vision tainted red. I launch myself at her before she can reach me, gripping her with enough strength to fracture her delicate bones. "I let you have him. I allowed you to treat me as you pleased. I tolerated your mockery and your taunting, all while you dangled Rune in front of me—a man I could never have." I pull her closer, even as she struggles against my grasp. She should be able to break free, but I am stronger now, more lethal and furious. Something about having a lycan baby growing in my stomach has contributed to this strength that I have now.
"Rune is my mate, and I am his Erasthai. Do you understand what that means? There is no room for you in his life, his bed, or his space. They all belong to me, and if I ever find you near him, I will rip your head from your shoulders. Do. Not. Test. Me."
Her wide blue eyes fill with fear as she stumbles backward. "He will never be yours."
"That is for me to decide," I croon, tightening my grip, allowing my claws to puncture her skin. She yelps in response, sweating. "And now, you will tell me where my mate is so that I can find him."