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“You didn’t remember.” I shrugged. “It didn’t seem important.”
“Liam, your cousin hates me.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“She doesn’t hate you. She was just doing what she thought needed to be done. It’s her job to protect Fiona.”
Evelyn frowned. “You just said it yourself, though. You said she hates humans. You said your father hates humans.”
“That doesn’t mean they hateyou.” I stepped in front of her and placed my hands lightly on her shoulders.
She shook her head. “I’ve caused enough trouble for you and your family. Maybe you should just take me back to Lydbury.”
“I want to be with you.” I cupped her cheek with my palm and tipped her head up until her eyes met mine.
“You need to be with your family.” Tears welled in her eyes.
“Don’t you see, I’ve put them first my whole life. I’ve done everything they’ve asked of me, and more. But I can’t fight this war anymore.”
“What are you saying?” She placed her palms against my chest.
“I won’t swear the Oath.”
She groaned. “Don’t you see? Everything you did, you did because you love them. You can’t walk away now.” She paused and frowned. Then she added, in a low voice, “I won’t let you give up your family for me.”
“Then I won’t give them up, but I’m not giving up on you, either.” I skimmed my hands over her shoulders and down her sides until they reached her waist.
“Your cousin hates me.” She slid her hands up my chest until they rested on my collarbones.
I smiled. “You already said that.”
“It’s still true.” She raised her eyebrows, daring me to contradict her.
I kissed her forehead and her muscles relaxed. “Give her time,” I whispered.
“Liam—”
I caught her lips with mine and cut off the rest of her sentence.Enough talking. We’d been through so much. I’d nearly lost her. I wouldn’t lose her again. I kissed her until she relaxed in my arms and leaned into me.
“Let me get you back to Lydbury,” I whispered, leaning my forehead against hers so the tips of our noses touched. “We can deal with Ari tomorrow.”
Evelyn sighed. “Okay,” she said.
“You ready?” I asked.
I waited for her to inhale, then, focusing on the carriage house, I conjured us back.
18
I sucked airinto my lungs and leaned against Liam. When I opened my eyes, we were standing outside the carriage house. The Christmas lights Aunt Vivian had strung up in the bushes twinkled in the darkness.
“Will you be back tonight?” I asked.
Liam shook his head. “The wake will last until dawn, and the coronation will begin at sunrise.”
“Oh,” I said, remembering my agreement with Fiona. “That soon?”
“It’s our way,” he said. “But I’ll return as soon as I can.”
“Actually,” I said. I bit my lip. “I think Fiona wanted me to attend the coronation.”
