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Chapter Fourteen
CHRISTINE
“Augustus and Leo are on their way here,” Atticus said while stroking my arm. He spoke in a detached, pained voice full of regret. He had a faint odor of sandalwood and musk, a clean scent that made me want to bury my nose in his neck.
“You told August I was alive?” I asked.
“Leo did. When you left, we were worried sick.”
I chewed on my lip. “How did he react?”
Atticus narrowed his eyes at me. “How do you think?”
“I think he would have been overjoyed.” I swallowed hard to keep the emotion back.
“That you were alive? Absolutely. That I lied? He was livid. The fact that you left made him practically feral. I’ve never seen him so determined, so…” His voice was deep and tinged with turmoil.
“King-like?” I finished for him. “Would you have told him if I hadn’t left?”
Atticus sat up. “No. My plan was to keep you hidden until Lord Nathan was dealt with. We had no choice. You left. You didn’t come to us. We had to find you.” Atticus’s voice caught. “We had to know if you were okay.”
“I’m sorry. I thought it was best that I left. I didn’t get a chance before, but Atticus, I think you need to know a few things about your father. He…he threatened me. Called me a whore. Said you were just using me for more power. Is…is that true?” At my question, the tension in the room climbed. The air practically felt thick and heavy, almost like stepping into the sauna.
“The fact that you’re even asking me that is further proof that I’ve been a grave disappointment to you. Of course not, Christine. I became powerful so that I could protect you. Take care of you. I beat my way to the top of my father’s empire with one goal in mind—you. I don’t care if you’re queen. I don’t care about titles or money. I just…” He squeezed me tighter. “My father will pay for this.”
I nuzzled his neck, too emotional to speak. “I don’t think we can trust him, Atticus. And your mother…”
My voice trailed off. It was hard to imagine such a fragile, submissive woman raising such a powerful man like Atticus.
A booming sound came from downstairs, the front door slamming open and thudding against the wall. “Christine!” August screamed. I sat up in bed as his boots pounded up the creaky stairs. “Christine!”
I quickly got out of the bed Atticus and I shared and wrapped the sheet around me, not wanting August to find us like this.
“Here we go,” Atticus said with a curse.
August threw open the door, his face flaming red. “You’re here. You’re really here.” August’s voice cracked.
I stared at him, unsure what to say.
August crossed the room and strode over to me, grabbing me by the arms. “Christine, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He cried, kissing me all over my face. “I love you so much. I was so scared.”
I squeezed his hand and nodded, too distraught to speak.
“I thought I’d never see you again.” The agony in his words seared my heart as he clung to me, breathing me in. His despair felt like a thousand needles plunging into my skin.
“August!” I exclaimed, tears streaming down my cheeks. His sharp intake of breath sent chills down my spine, and I could feel his warm tears on my skin. His hands, still shaking, reached out to grasp my upper arms as if he didn’t believe I was real.
Our faces were but inches apart and time stood still. His brown eyes and my own blue ones locked in an intense gaze, a myriad of emotions and memories passing between us. His lips lingered by mine for just a moment before he pulled away, trembling and overwhelmed.
Behind me, the air seemed to thicken with tension as Atticus watched our reunion from the shadows. His presence seemed to sap all the heat from the room as I tried to rationalize what this meant for us all.
August’s voice was barely a whisper. “Say my name again…please, Christine.”
My heart fluttered in my chest as I uttered that sweet name once more. “August…”
We stared at each other for what felt like an eternity before August turned to Atticus. His expression was a mix of anger and confusion, his jaw clenched. He looked from me to Atticus, back to me again. “Tell me, Christine. Were you in on the lies, too?”
I shook my head. “No. Atticus took me to the tower. I fought him and…”
