Page 23 of Sky’s Edge

So I’d been waiting for him at his place when he returned, and I knew he thought he was going to get welcome-home sex then we’d go out to dinner or something.

But instead, I had to explain my father arranged my marriage (I didn’t tell him to whom), my compatibility trial was the next weekend, and therefore, even if I didn’t want to, I had to end things with him.

Bash was full demon as well, so this descended into a shouting match, because somehow, I was at fault for arranging a marriage I didn’t want, and no matter how often I shared this with him, he refused to believe my father acted alone.

As such, our breakup was strident, ugly, and so damaging, even if I managed to put Tanyn off, I would not be returning to Bash.

And that hurt because I’d liked him.

This was my thought when my Palm chimed.

Excellent.

I was in the perfect mood for this comm from Tanyn.

“Engage audio and video,” I spat at it, taking my arm away so I could hold the display to my face.

“Fucking hell, that bad?” Tanyn asked when he appeared.

Color me shocked there would be a time I was okay knowing I looked awful.

But I was oh-so okay looking awful right now.

“Somehow, your lot made the rules. A member of your lot, that being my father, tied me up in this muddle. And he is a member of your lot. But to Bash it was me who was to blame.”

“By my lot, you mean…?”

“Males,” I hissed.

“This is indicative of this particular male not being worth your time, if he doesn’t understand this is your duty to your family.”

“I liked him,” I pointed out.

“You’ll get over it,” he returned.

“I have no choice, thank you so very much,” I shot back sarcastically.

“Very true. And you’re welcome for me saving you from someone like that.”

This damned male.

“Okay, so I’ve confirmed it’s done,” I stated. “Can we stop talking now?”

“Catla—” he started consolingly.

I was in no mood to be consoled by him or anyone, but especially him.

To that end, I sat up and snapped. “Duty to my family?”

“It’s the way it’s been done for millennia. Especially in families like ours.”

“Too true. However, I do believe it’s been proven repeatedly that females can think for themselves.”

“You’re going to be queen.”

“Has it occurred to anyone to ask if I want to be queen?” I demanded.

“No. It hasn’t. Because it isn’t about what you want. It’s about what our realm needs.”