Page 129 of Trick Knot Treat

I inhale sharply and then make my way across the sand, feeling my stomach tremble violently.

His question rings in my mind, over and over. Why did he ask that? Why couldn’t he have asked anything else?

I look out at the crowd, searching for him, instead, I see Harvest. A reminder of the promise I made and the fate I have to return to.

“Clint!” Lorelei says sharply.

He walks through the crowd; they separate for him slowly, he doesn’t rush. Clint stares at me as he walks up. He smiles, and it’s a beautiful smile.

Everything is going to work out. He’s forgiven me. Clint understands. He leans down and kisses me, then Felix. He takes Jace’s hand and squeezes it, then Zaire’s.

He looks happy.

“You five have defied logic and reason, found each other despite rules and restrictions. Against time and distance.” Lorelei looks out and smiles as if she knows the answer.

Well, we all do.

We’re scent matches.

I turn to them, my chest filling with warmth. I bounce on my toes and laugh.

“Will you take each other as matches?” Lorelei calls out loudly.

There’s a long, heavy, dramatic pause. The tension in my chest builds until I feel like I’m going to explode with happiness.

Clint’s smile falls away.

My heart drops, but it still doesn’t occur to me that there’s anything wrong.

I frown, reaching for him, but he sidesteps, and instead focuses on Lorelei. “No. I can’t. I’m leaving. This is actually my goodbye.”

What?

WHAT?

I slam a hand to my chest, trying to breathe, but I can’t. I can’t.

He said no.

My scent match…he said no.

Chapter 31

Khione

The entire world is quiet, everyone holds their breaths, listening to my heart shatter.

“What? What did you say?” Lorelei asks in a harsh whisper. She laughs and frowns. “I thought you just said…I must have misheard you.”

Clint turns the stone in his hand and then puts it back on the podium.

“I decline the match.”

The pain that lances through me is unlike anything I think I’ve ever felt. A dim part of me whispers that he’s right. Why not end it all here and now?

“Why?” Lorelei almost screams. “You love them! Why are you saying no?”

Clint lifts his head and stares at Lorelei. He’s refusing to even look at us.