Page 99 of Trust the Fall

He doesn’t get it, because he’s clearly never been in love. Luke is my home. Not Camille. Not Solis.

I shake my head. “This isn’t my home, River. It was just quick stop on the road to where I’m truly meant to be.”

He grits his teeth. “Why?”

My head falls back in frustration. “I don’t have time for this, River. I’m going back because I want to help. He needs me.”

“Why him, Victoria? Why Hell? Can you truly tell me you want to live there?”

“Where is this coming from?” I cry. “I’ve been perfectly clear about my intentions. Why are you acting like this?”

“Because I don’t get it,” he says, voice rising.

“You don’t have to get it, River. This isn’t a surprise.”

“I thought being here, you’d change your mind.”

I throw my hands up in the air. “You just said earlier we’d have our say. You don’t want a marriage between us anymore than I do.”

“If it’s best for Solis, I will.”

“You’re in love with her.” I point toward the ballroom, where Camille is most likely still fuming over my departure from her ill-advised engagement party.

“She made it perfectly clear by that announcement that she doesn’t feel for me the way I do her.”

“Her feelings have nothing to do with my decision, River. I know your duty is important to you, but that won’t change my choice. I’ll never be with anyone but Luke. Duty or no. It will always be him, River.”

I sigh. My eyes bore into his, hoping to convey how sorry I am. How much I wish things could be different for him.

But they aren’t.

His eyes close and my heart breaks a little. Not only is he giving up the woman he cares for, but he’s losing his predetermined station as well. He’ll never be king as long as I refuse to marry him.

When he finally looks at me again, I see the resolve. He knows there’s no changing my mind, and I know there’s no going back.

As soon as I voiced my choice, any future for River serving as king was over.

“I am sorry.”

He shakes his head. “There’s nothing to apologize for. You love who you love, and no arranged marriage was ever going to change that. I can’t be angry that you care enough to go head to head with Camille.”

I smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. “That will need to happen sooner rather than later, I’m afraid.”

“You’re going to ask for her help?”

“It’s important, River. The two demons that were with Nolda in Hell have sided with him. They have the edge. Luke needs all the help he can get.”

River nods. “I’m coming with you,” he says, and my head jerks back in surprise.

“You are?”

“Yes. I need out of here for a while,” he says, and I know he’s thinking about Camille.

“I’m sorry, Riv. I know that caught you off guard just as much as it did me.”

He huffs. “Probably more, considering what I shared with her right before her announcement. Funny how she never mentioned her plans then.”

I shake my head. “It wasn’t fair. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if she’s able to do that to you, her feelings for you aren’t what your feelings for her are. You deserve better.”