He grimaces. “You may never forgive me for my lies or half-truths, but try to remember it was only done out of love.”
“Until you are ready to tell me actual truths, Father, I don’t want to see you anymore. Tell Stepmother and my siblings they are not welcome here at court either.”
He steps away as if I slapped him. A part of me feels awful for my words, but I need to set some boundaries. This is one of them.
“Please leave,” I clarify. “Do not return unless you have actual information for me.” I step aside so he can walk past.
He gives me a final look, one I can’t read, and walks to the door. “Stay here, where you’re safe.”
I shake my head, unwilling to look him in the eye again. When I don’t respond, he leaves, and I collapse onto the floor, shaking, allowing myself to break one last time.
Chapter Thirty-Six
KIAN
7 YEARS AGO
What is this feeling? Giddiness? Why am I giddy at the thought of seeing her again? At least, I assume I’ll see her again . . . It’s been four long years. Four years of wondering what she’s been up to, what she enjoys now . . . Will there still be that spark between us, or have I built her up in my mind in a way she could never live up to? With her strange supposed affliction to the sun, I don’t expect her at any of the daytime events, but perhaps tonight she’ll be at the first ball of the season hosted by Lord and Lady Havordshire.
Dylan elbows me in the ribs, and I blow out a breath of air.
“Why’d you do that?” I grumble and barely duck out of the way before he comes at me with his sword.
“You’re not paying attention, Ki,” he teases. “Are we getting our workout in or not?”
I spin and swipe at his lower legs, and he jumps just in time.
“You’re getting better at this. Have you been training with Master Waylen?” I ask.
“Someone’s gotta keep you on your toes.”
I laugh. “We all know I can kick your ass if I want to.”
Dylan pouts. “Hey, let me have this one, okay?”
I shrug. “Sure.” Before he can react, I kick his long legs out from underneath him, and he lands on the training mat with a resounding thud.
“Damn, Ki. You really are an ass.”
“And yet we’re still friends.”
“Maybe I should rethink that,” Dylan groans.
I reach down and help him to his feet, patting his back. “You’re definitely improving. I will give you that.”
“Are you coming to our ball tonight?” Dylan asks, changing the subject.
I shrug halfheartedly. The last thing I want is for Dylan to rib me for pining over a girl for the last decade. “I might show up.”
Dylan gives me a knowing look. “That’s right! I almost forgot. The Astoria girl might be there?”
“Shut up.”
A stupid grin lights up his face, and he gets in my space. “Do you think she’ll remember you this time?”
I push him away and frown. “Gods only know . . . I guess I’ll have to see how memorable I am.”
Dylan takes a playful swing at me that I easily bat off. “What if I gave you a black eye? Surely that would make you more memorable,” he jokes.
