Macy POV
My eyes flutter open, and I am immediately met with a pair of green ones. Destin is staring at me, but his hands remain at a respectable distance. I, on the other hand, am curled into his chest. This doesn't look good. "Oh shit."
Destin doesn't say anything. His dark hair is messier than usual, and he looks tired. His jaw is twitching uncomfortably. My fingers curl against his bare chest, and I realize my wing is draped over his body. He is careful not to move or to touch me.
"Can you remove your wing please?" He asks.
"Oh shit," I repeat.
I try to lift my wing, but I am still inept at moving them. It violently swings backward, and I tumble off the bed. Instead of coming to my rescue, Destin sighs in relief. I lie on the ground for a moment in embarrassment. How many times can I hurt myself in front of this man?
Bouncing to my feet, I look everywhere but in Destin's direction. I attempt to put together the pieces from last night, but it is all a bit hazy. However, I do remember Roland and Destin fighting about Destin's mate. She is still alive, but that can't be possible. That would mean that Destin lied to me.
Destin's gaze is fixated on me. I suddenly feel shy. I twist the hem of his shirt in my fingers and shuffle from one foot to another.
"We didn't," I stutter. "You know."
Destin rolls onto his back and laughs. "I prefer my women lucid when I fuck them."
His words anger me. Exactly how many women has he brought back to this room? Am I just one of countless? How can he be so crass one moment and so sweet another? This man continues to vex me.
"Don't overthink it, Princess," he grumbles.
"Can you read my thoughts?" I blurt out.
"If I felt like it," he replies. "But I don't need to. It is written all over your face."
"How often have you been inside my thoughts?" I demand to know.
"Like I said, don't overthink it," is his only reply.
"Whatever," I snap. "Where is my room?"
"A few doors down," Destin replies, not looking at me.
I turn to the door with every intention of leaving, but something stops me. "Why am I here?"
"As opposed to?"
I scoff loudly. "Why am I not with my mates?"
"You didn't want to go to them. Not after the way the barbaric one acted," he says. "Don't be mad at me for your choices. You are the one continually getting drunk with Roland."
That checks out. Edward was a grade-A asshole, but I suppose if he were in the arms of another woman, I would have reacted the same way. Winston has done nothing wrong. I shouldn't have punished him for Edward's actions.
"I should go," I whisper.
As I exit the door, I expect Destin to stop me, but he lets me go. I groan loudly and spin on my heels. "I thought you said your mate was dead."
Destin turns his head to me, but his eyes are vacant. "She is."
"No. I heard you talking to Roland last night. I can hold my alcohol," I snap at him. "How were you able to lie to me?"
"I did not lie," he says, turning back the ceiling. "I omitted the truth."
"Where is she?" I ask.
"Gone," he replies.
"You were going to look for her last night," I can't keep the hurt from my voice. "She can't be gone if you were going to her. Is she in the Human Realm?"
"She is dead," he grumbles. "Leave it at that."
"Then what were you doing last night?" I shout.
"What do you want from me, Macy?" He groans in frustration.
"The truth," I defend myself.
"I love you. That should be enough," he sighs.
"Not if your mate is still alive," I shout. "It isn't enough."
"You have mates," he shouts back. "Why are you so concerned about mine?"
"Are you only in love with me because I am heir to the throne?" I whisper. "Am I just a stepping stone to be the ruler of the Immortal Realm?"
"Don't pretend like you know anything about me," he growls at me. "I have lost more than you can ever imagine."
"How can I love you if you won't let me in?" I whine.
"Go to your mates," he responds. "They are here, and that is what you wanted."
I grit my teeth together and stomp my foot like a child. This isn't how I wanted this to go. I step toward the bed and open my mouth to speak. "Destin…"
"Save it, Princess," he spits.
"I don't understand what happened last night," I whimper. "We were friends."
Destin is off the bed, clearing the distance between us. He grabs my shoulders and pushes me against his door. Familiar heat pulls between my legs. I want him to kiss me, but this time, I want him to take my breath away. I want him to show me he can love me better than my mates. I want the kind of love he promised me.
My chest is rising and falling with anticipation, but he doesn't kiss me. I try not to let my disappointment show on my face. Instead, I plaster a scowl on my face.
"Do you know what it is like to sleep beside someone that doesn't want you? For them to curl into your chest for warmth and safety, but you know it is wrong to touch them. So, all night, you stare at them, memorizing their face because you know this is all you will ever get."
"Destin," I plead. "I care for you."
"But," he demands to know.
"There is no but," I tell him.
"There is always a but," he replies.
His hands drop from around me, and he pushes me gently to the side. His door swings open, and I leave without saying another word. Why do his words feel like a rejection, and why do I care so much? I have two mates who love me, or at least I think they do. I should probably fix things between us.
I walk down the hall and find my bedroom door. I count the number of doors between mine and Destin's. I know I shouldn't, but I do it anyway. As I push my door open, I hold my breath and prepare for whatever wrath Edward plans to rain down on me.