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“You’re nothing like him.”
“That’s why I have to choose this.”
He gritted his teeth, looking around for an answer that didn’t exist. “Can’t you just tell him who you are? Go to the king. Look, I know the whole story. They told us all at the guild, including that weasel Astor. It was our job to protect you from them, but from what I’d heard, your father wanted you back more than anything else. So he won’t hurt you.”
“He’ll hurt Sebastian and the others.”
He shook his head. “Don’t let that stop you. Come on, Olivia, they’re vampires. They don’t care about you.”
“I can’t just throw them into the fire after they protected me.”
“I would do it for you.”
I touched his hand, and his anger melted away. “I know, but I can take care of myself.” I stepped back, moving over to the window. “I broke this yesterday with my powers.”
“You’ve been practicing?”
“Yes, and I know I can get better.”
“Good.” He paused, looking up. “Look, if you tell the king you’re his daughter, he might let you stay a sorceress.”
“Like he let my mom stay as one?”
“She hurt him. You haven’t.”
“No. He’s paranoid. He won’t let that happen. Sebastian told me—”
“You put a lot of faith in the words of a vampire,” he snapped, his eyes bulging. “You always did try to see the best in people. I never said anything when you did it to Astor. You couldn’t see past the fact that he controlled your life at every turn, and now you’re letting a vampire manipulate you.”
I crossed my arms, smelling what was left of the butter cookies as I moved back from the sofa. “You have no faith in me.”
He hesitated. “You’re too sweet, that’s all. I don’t want you being taken advantage of.”
My toes curled inside my slippers. “I can take care of myself. The whole relationship with Astor, it was a mistake, but it taught me a lot. As for Sebastian, I know what he’s like. I’m not stupid enough to think he cares for me, or he wants to help me with no gain of his own, but I am aware enough to know when he’s lying to me.” I closed my eyes, lowering my barrier. Draven’s anxiety rippled in, mixed with worry and love. “Just like how I know you care about me. I can feel it radiating from you. You’re worried about me, anxious about yourself, and I can tell the feeling is genuine. I can read Sebastian’s emotions in the same way.”
“So I’m just supposed to trust this vampire?”
“No.” I inhaled sharply. “You’re supposed to trust me. He has a plan to remove my father from the throne.”
“You’re okay with that, are you?”
I swallowed thickly. “I have no other choice. I must become queen. It’s not like if there was a better alternative, I wouldn’t take it, but I can’t hurt everyone else because I’m a coward.”
“No one would think you’re a coward for running.”
“I would.” I didn’t break eye contact. “At least this way, I can protect my mom, and you, Draven. I’ll have you sent back to Baldoria as soon as I have the power to.”
“I won’t allow this.”
“Please, don’t try to stop me. This is my choice.”
His face crumpled. “Olivia…”
“I’ve already made up my mind.” I stepped closer to him, noticing the veins in his bloodshot eyes. “Take a shower. No one is going to look for you in here, and I’ll ask Sebastian to have some food sent up for me, so you can eat.”
“I can’t hide up here. They’ll notice I’m missing.”
I sighed, wrapping my arms around him, never wanting to let go. He smelled like a mix of ash and charcoal. “I’m going to get you out of here soon. Don’t worry.”
