I had hoped he didn’t know what Calyth had planned, but he did.
My hands settled on my waist. “I tried to make sense of your absence—of your plans. But I can’t.”
His eyes widened. “Please. Let me explain.”
“There is nothing you could say that would justify it. Telling Calyth...to take me to Eyrsea—to bond with me.”
“He offered what?”
“To bring me to Eyrsea as his wife. He said you came to him?—”
“We discussed him offering you a place in Eyrsea—a life that could give you a future without Thalen.” His nostrils flared. “I didn’t know he expected to bond with you.”
They were all making plans for me, without me. Lioran didn’t even know what he was asking—he was just desperate tofind a solution.
“Did you agree to it?”
I stumbled gripping the back of the sofa. “I thought…” He braced me as I slipped again. I collided with his chest, but I pulled myself from him the moment I felt his warmth again.
“Whatever future you decided—is yours, even if you choose to be with him.” He cleared his throat. “At least you would be safe.”
“Lioran…" He slid a finger over my lip, silencing me.
“I should have come here sooner, to be with you while I still could.” He kissed me. This time I didn’t pull away. The warmth of his lips lingered on mine.
“You weren’t here at all.” I swallowed hard.
“I was trying to secure a future for you—trying to show my parents that you weren’t a threat.”
I backed away from him. “This whole time I thought you were done with me.”
“No, I never will be. You are the only one I could ever love. I’ve refused every match. I will not bond with anyone else.” His breath lingered on me. His words were exactly what I wanted to hear, but I couldn’t allow myself to have hope.
I lost him. It was already too painful.
“Be with me. At least for tonight, then tomorrow, the decision is yours,” he said.
Part of me wanted to resist, but I let his lips sink into mine.
“I’ve been breaking in the silence…” I tried to finish my thought, but it was lost as he pulled me closer.
“I should have been there for you, and I wasn’t.” He lifted me up and placed me on the bed.
Footsteps trailed down the hall. He twisted the key in the lock, sealing us in for our stolen moment.
“What about…” My words escaped me as he pressed his lips into my neck and trailed down my shoulder.
“I don’t want to know. Don’t tell me anything at all. I want out last night together to be only about us.”
I wanted to tell him I made my choice, but I didn’t.
He would accept me marrying Calyth, or maybe even Thalen, before he’d accept me choosing this fate. Despite every warning sign my heart gave with its thundering beat, I would allow myself to have this final moment with him—knowing it would destroy me in the morning.
Pure desire shone in his gaze as he unlaced my gown, pulling the fabric from me. Heat filled my body as he leaned into me fully.
Chapter 29
Lioran slipped out before Cora returned. His scent lingered on the pillow beside me. I clutched it when sleep escaped me.
