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Worry pulls at my brow. “She often takes a liking to things she shouldn’t.”
“Talis is a good man,” Cristen assures me. “Gretta will be safe with him.”
I chew on my lip. “He still has information I need.”
Cristen looks away, his jaw flexes. “The only information Talis has is that he is safekeeping your thread archive.”
I straighten as shock rolls through me. “Fuckingwhat?”
He shrugs. “As I said, you intrigue me.”
“You’rethe reason why I don’t exist at the Gallery of Threads?” My eyes trace his face. “But my box has been missing for years.”
His nostrils flare.
“Have you been…spyingon me?” I persist.
He runs his tongue over his teeth. “I didn’t really know it was you. Your threads were from your point of view. I never saw your face. I only ever heard your voice, thefeelof your essence. That first night at the club, I immediately recognized you.”
“How long?” I demand. “How fucking long have you been watching me?”
He gives me a guilty look. “Several years.”
I twist away from him and march my way forward. I don’t even care if I’m going in the right direction.
“Can you quit walking away?” he asks, chasing after me. “I found your thread box in a chamber hidden away in the palace. It was among many things my father, for whatever reason, hoarded. I had no idea it was you. When I found your box, I was seventeen and naturally curious.” He jogs in front of me and blocks my way forward, giving me a pleading look. “You were so beautiful, Zora. I didn’t even know what you looked like, but I saw the way you fought and it gave me hope. You’re part of the reason I ever managed to kill my father and free the kingdom from his wrath. I honestly never thought I’d ever meet you. Reading your threads was like reading an endlessly wonderful book. I only knew you were still alive and kicking because each month, your box would fill with more threads, just like anyone else’s.”
“I want it,” I snap. “Those aremythreads. You had no right to keep them. Had you returned my box to the Gallery of Threads, then maybe I would have found it all those years ago.MaybeI would know how my family was torn apart.” A chill strikes through my heart, and I take a threatening step toward him, pointing an accusatory finger. “Do you know? Did you see who hurt my family?”
Cristen gives a vigorous shake of his head. “No, and trust me, once I officially met you and learned about your family, I went back through your box, read through every thread. I searched for your answers, Zora, but someone must have taken that thread from you and kept it all those years ago.”
I grind my teeth but nod. “That would make sense. I don’t even really remember the night, which I’ve always found strange. I may have been young, but it was a monumental moment. If someone stole it from me, that would match up.”
He runs his fingers over his hair. “I’m sorry. I wish I knew more about your past in that regard.”
“Could you… could you read me?” I wonder.
He hesitates. “I could, but I think it’s safe to say someone took that night from you. Likely those responsible.”
“Unless I’m repressing it.” I inhale deeply. “That happens.”
He nods. “Sometimes, yes,” he admits, his voice soft, “but I don’t think I should read you, Zora.”
I frown. “Why not? What else are you good for, besides those stupidly hot abs?”
His mouth lifts into a goofy grin.
Shit, did I say that out loud?I swallow and motion toward him. “Come on, just read me.”
“If I sift through your threads, and I find a trapped memory of that night, you’d have to relive it,” he says slowly, his brows knitting. “If your mind is suppressing it, it’s doing so for your own good. If I force it forward, I could hurt you.”
“Hurting me hasn’t stopped you before,” I growl.
He grimaces, anger carving out his features. “Alright.” He steps toward me and grips my shoulders. “Just remember you asked for this.”
My body tenses beneath his touch before my shoulders wilt against the warmth of his palms. I close my eyes, unable to take his intense stare. My heart pounds harder, and anticipation builds inside me. “Do it,” I say.
He slides his hands from my shoulders to the bare skin of my neck.
