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“It’s okay, Lachelle,” Declan said in a gentle tone. “It’s my place to serve my people.”
“I’m so over the ‘my people,’ ‘my king,’ my this and that! All I know is that my sister is crying her eyes out. You care about all of them more than about her.”
“That’s not true. I would die for her and Bannon.”
“You say that.” Her tone dripped with disbelief.
Kelly of all people chose to defend Declan. “It’s true, Lachelle.”
“I don’t want to hear from you.”
“Well you’re going to hear from me. As of now, I am the new leader of the dragon shifters, that is, Gerard and I are the new king and queen.”
Chapter 12
Lachelle lost the ability to speak. She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. Her throat closed, and her chest constricted so much it was hard to draw a breath. She wanted to vanish from the room, to hide from all the eyes that were on her. Everyone knew she was involved with Gerard before all this happened.
“Well good for you,” she muttered at last and rose from the floor.
It felt anti-climactic to return to her chair, so she just left, walked straight out the door.
“Lachelle,” Gerard called.
She ignored him, but he caught up with her in the hall and grabbed her arm.
“Go back in there to your wife.”
“I want to talk to you. I had no choice.”
She sneered at him. “Oh really? Okay. I believe that.”
“You don’t sound like you believe it.”
“Go away, Gerard.” She pulled one of his blunt numbers and spun away again. Stepping out of the house onto the front walk, she discovered the day had just turned dark. It reflected her mood with perfection.
“I can’t let you go.” He stood behind her, far too close. While he didn’t give off heat that a human would, his presence overwhelmed her. His big hands came down on her shoulders, and she shut her eyes.
The weakness that permeated every fiber of her being disgusted her. Why couldn’t she compartmentalize the love for him so that she could move on with ease? No, it pulsed along her nerve-endings, even seemed to stream through her veins.
I’m being romantic. Think logically, Lachelle.
Mental coaching did nothing to lessen the impact of his touch and his nearness.
His lips brushed the top of her head, probably by accident. “Don’t go,” he whispered. “I can’t do this without you.”
“You’re not serious.”
“I want you near.”
You and me both.
She managed to wrench away from him. A raindrop plopped down on her nose. Soon the sky would open up. At that moment, she wished it would drown her, or at least her sorrow.
Daring to look up at him, she saw the matching expression in his face. He appeared to be just as miserable. That was impossible since he chose Kelly. He should be happy. Instead, darkness haunted his eyes, and his pallid complexion confused her.
Curiosity drew her nearer to him, and she touched his skin. It was ice cold. She snatched her hand back. “What’s wrong with you, Gerard?”
“Nothing.”
