I was so caught off guard by the whole Golden Hunt being Callum’s idea I almost forgot what Rafe had said right before.
You can’t tell me that you didn’t know that the King was going to name you as heir.
Yet another piece of information Callum had never mentioned to me.In all his talks of Rafe and the King, never once did he mention that he’s now in line to take over. What else is Callum hiding behind those skyhigh walls of his? How can I presume I know him when Ginna and Rafe don’t think that they do?
Maybe I’ve just been falling in love with theideaof Callum. It had been nice having both his attention and his company. He is a true gentleman - the likes of which I’d never experienced before. I know he felt strongly towards me, though. That is something, I think, he wouldn't lie about. Something that couldn’t be faked. Then again, I also feel like I have strong feelings for him, too, and now I’m not so sure. How could I have misread someone so much? I don’t trust my own judgment anymore, nevermind my emotions.
“Do you mind if I join you?” I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn’t heard Rafe’s approaching footsteps.
I don’t have a good enough reason to tell him no, so I nod wordlessly, and Rafe sits on the mossy floor, leaning against the stump I’m using as a stool.
“I would ask if you’re okay, but that’s probably a dumb question.”
A laugh escapes me. “That is a dumb question.”
“I’m sorry for the way everything came out. I didn’t know about your parents.”
“It’s not your fault. If anything, I’m glad I found out now and not years later.” I pause. “So you’re really King Corvin’s son? But Callum is being named heir?”
“Yep. That about sums it up.” Rafe tosses a stone into the stream, watching as it wordlessly sinks. “I’m guessing you also didn’t know about that?”
“No.”
“What are you going to do?”
I haven’t thought that far ahead yet. Rafe offers a stone to me, and I accept, tossing it as hard as I can. The large splash brings me a small sense of satisfaction.
“I can’t go back to Ashven.” The words tumble out of my mouth before I think, but hearing them aloud only solidifies that that is the right decision. “I never met the King, your father, but based on what Adrienne said… I don’t want to live somewhere with a ruler like that.”
“I don’t blame you. I would have left a lot earlier if it wasn’t for Cal.”
The softness of his voice reminds me of my own emotions towards Callum.
“You loved him.” It wasn’t a question, but Rafe answers anyway.
“Yeah. Probably still do or else I wouldn’t care this much.” He lifts one shoulder. “What about you? You must feel the same way if the information hits you this hard.”
“I thought I was falling in love with him.”
“And now?”
Another question I’m not sure how to answer. “My heart and head aren’t aligning at the moment right now.”
Rafe chuckles lightly. “Isn’t that always the case?”
We fall into a somber silence - the two of us loving someone who doesn’t have capacity to love us back in the way we deserve. A relationship built on lies is never a relationship.
“What areyougoing to do?” I selfishly hope Rafe might provide me direction as to my own plans.
“Well –” Rafe starts, digging into his leather vest’s breast pocket. “I should probably be the bigger person and give this to Cal.”
He holds out the clover-patterned ring to me, the same one I had found in the Traps all those years ago.
My mouth falls open. “You had that on you this entire time?”
Rafe grins lopsided at me. “Guilty as charged.”
“And you didn’t give it to us when we asked because…why? You did want Adrienne to yell at him?”
