“It’s not your fault,” he says roughly. “None of this is.”
“Still.” Taking his wounded hand, I wipe away the blood before I curl my fingers around his. “You never should have been forced to endure that.”
No one should be abused, certainly not a child, and especially not by their tyrannical father.
“Thank you, Wren,” he says softly.
A beat of silence passes between us. It can’t last for more than a few seconds, and yet it feels like a lifetime.
I cling to his fingers and lick my lips. “This complicates things, Gabriel.”
He shudders. “I thought it might.”
“You have to understand, I wasn’t expecting this.”
I have a vivid imagination, but even in my wildest dreams—or more accurately, my worst nightmares—did I ever think this would happen. How could I have predicted the man I shared a fated bond with also happens to be the son of the king trying to sacrifice me and steal my magic?
The fates, if they do exist, have a sick, twisted sense of humor.
Gabriel’s eyes shutter, but not before I catch the pain that flashes through them. He nods slowly as if he’s coming to terms with something.
“I understand. It’s too much.” He rakes his other hand through his hair. “I didn’t want to hide this from you—you deserve to know the truth.”
I whisper his name, and he starts pulling his hand out of mine. “I’ll talk to Alaric if you want to stay here, and I’ll make sure they keep you safe. Or, if you want to leave, I’ll arrange for your sisters to meet you at the port. Once you’re on a ship, I’ll disappear. Unless you want me to go right away? If so?—”
“Gabe,” I say more loudly, and he stops and looks at me. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
A crease forms between his brows. “You said you weren’t expecting this. That it’s complicated. And I understand that, I do. So I thought it would be best...”
His voice trails off, and he studies me.
“You’re going to leave me?” The words are bitter at the back of my mouth, but I force them out. “But last night, you said... I thought...”
I thought I was yours.
I thought he wanted me. I thought he’d stay by my side no matter what. That even though everyone else left, even though I’m dangerous and people die around me, even though I’m Marked and the king wants to kill me, Gabriel would be here with me.
I thought I’d no longer be alone.
This time, I’m the one who releases his hand. I draw my legs to my chest, ignoring the fact that all I’m wearing is Gabe’s shirt, and press my forehead to my knees. I squeeze my eyes shut, blocking out the world as I try to prepare for what’s coming next.
Being on my own. Again.
How many more times will this happen to me? Perhaps loneliness is my destiny and I have been fooling myself to think otherwise.
My eyes burn, and I desperately try to hold the tears back. I don’t want to cry right now. If Gabriel wants to leave me, I will be strong and hold myself together. I won’t stop him, even knowing that nothing will ever ease the ache in my heart after this. There is no one who will ever make me feel the same way. Even his offer to have my sisters meet me isn’t going to be enough, because even though I love them, they’re nothim.
They never will be.
I’m not sure how much time passes before a hand touches my knee. Gabriel moves slowly as if I’m a piece of porcelain and I might break if he touches me wrong. His fingers skate over my cheeks—still dry since I’ve managed not to burst into tears again—then my chin. His touch is soft as he draws my head up.
His eyes contain vast forests as they peer into mine.
“Do you still want me, Wren?” The question is a hoarse whisper, as if he can barely stand asking it. “Even now that you know who my father is?”
That’s the question, isn’t it?
It surprises me, how quickly I say, “I’m not exactly pleased, knowing the man trying to kill me is related to you, but yes, I want you.” There isn’t a doubt in my mind. “Of course I want you. Besides, you are not your father.”
