mine. That he’d agreed to always be mine.
If what Vanessa said was true, their hatred of me ran deep within their veins. I was just his pawn. That piece he wished to
play with when it suited him. I’d fallen for his trap, and in doing so broken my own heart.
I stupidly thought after last night, we would settle back into the rhyme we’d created after the wedding, but I was wrong. I
should have come clean right from the start. Not sneak into the dungeons and get myself hurt, or at least should have been
smarter so I wasn’t harmed. I needed to do better. Be better.
I, however, didn’t wish to beg for someone to love me. I’d known I would always be difficult to love. Unworthy of it, and
although he promised me he would take me as I am, would love me for me, he’d lied.Hestood there allowing Vanessa to fling
words at me and not fight in my corner. He didn't say a word to defend me. Breaking my trust once more by telling them of my
past and what had happened to me. And now I am stuck here. Unless I escaped.
Maybe I could go to Norok. Beg him to leave Nic and his sisters alone. Head home, protect our land, our people and never
return here. I didn’t wish Nicholas to come to any harm. I didn’t want any of them to get hurt, but the reason war was coming
was because of me and my poorly made choices.
Wiping a tear from my cheek, I tried to keep the emotions boxed in. Under lock and key.
He’d told me himself he did not love me, in more ways than one. How could he love the daughter of his enemy—the
murderer of his family? He obviously couldn’t and I didn’t blame him. Not really. I’d be the same if the roles were reversed.
However, after everything that had happened. The cold shoulder, the back and forth, the accusations from Vanessa, my
unhappiness. He’d done all of it and for what? For revenge? For punishment? To hurt me?
I hated it. I was falling for him, despite all his flaws. Despite all his harsh words and actions. How foolish of me, how
desperate of me to want love from someone as cold hearted and dark as him. Yes, there were moments where he made my
knees weak, kissed me with passion, whispered sweet nothings and made me question everything. What if he wasn’t this dark
creature from the forest, but the person I’d known all along?
Rubbing my temples, I let out a deep sigh. I felt the cold water seeping into my clothes. Into my very being. I contemplated
my next move. I wouldn’t go back if that was the reception I’d wait for. There were two ways I could escape from this, I could
get away and reach Norok, hoping Nic wouldn’t follow or…
I looked out at the open ocean, as the waves crashed against the rocks. While the sun finished setting, the rain disappeared,
but it wouldn’t have bothered me if it hailed. I was already cold and wet.
Taking a deep breath, the other option was in front of me, beckoning me to come.
It would only take a few minutes and then there would be no reason to fight. I wouldn't feel any more pain, sadness or
sorrow. It would be so easy. Norok would become king and Nicholas would be rid of me. This world would be a better place.
