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She watched me, pity growing in her eyes. “Huntley, you know I’m right. You know Harlow is right.”
I avoided her gaze out of pure stubbornness.
“You said you trust your daughter’s instinct. Now’s the time to prove it.”
I ignored her.
“Huntley—”
“I’ll consider your request. That’s the most I can offer you.”
Ivory stopped her crusade and turned quiet.
I waited for her to leave so I could wallow in my quiet rage.
“Thank you.”
I continued to wait for her to leave, but she stayed put. “Yes?”
“It’s late.”
“I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“No, you’re coming to bed.”
I turned to look at her.
“And if you don’t, I’ll make you.” Her eyes burned with the fire of a queen who commanded respect from everyone who looked at her. She didn’t carry weapons or armor, but she was still terrifying…and beautiful.
28
AURELIAS
I tried to be diplomatic about the situation, but if I didn’t get what I wanted, I would grab the guard who brought the tray of food I only ate so the food would keep coming. And once the guard with the keys ran over, I would kill them both and walk out of there.
But I preferred to be let out, so I continued to be patient.
Without lifting my gaze, I knew Harlow had entered the dungeon because I could feel her mind. I could only feel heightened emotions, but I’d become so acquainted with her mind that I could recognize it as a unique signature. It was no different from spotting an acquaintance on the street, except I didn’t need sight to recognize her.
I lifted my chin and watched her approach the bars, wearing a white floral dress with her dark hair in a tight braid. A tightness seized my chest as I looked at her, a desire so distinct it made my mouth go dry. Her beauty endured on our arduous journey, but now it shone like a white candle in the dark. My eyes remained hard and feigned indifference, but my skin prickled as flashbacks moved across my mind.
“I talked to my father.” Her arms slid through the bars and rested on the metal, exposing herself to my grasp. I could threaten to break her arm unless they unlocked the door, and as much as I wanted to be free, I wanted to hurt her even less. “I’m sorry.”
I pushed off the wall and approached, my arms sliding through the bars on the outside of hers, our faces close together. “I’ve never encountered anyone who’s wanted me dead more, so I’m not surprised.” Our faces were so near each other, but separated by the iron bars that my strength couldn’t demolish.
“I’ve asked my mother to speak to him,” she said. “Perhaps she can change his mind.”
I released a quiet snort.
“What?”
“Your mother probably hates me more.”
“My mother is actually the more pragmatic one of the two. When my father’s mind is clouded with anger, he can’t see the tip of his nose on his own face.”
“Maybe in most circumstances, but a loving mother can easily turn into a mama bear.”
“She is a mama bear, but she sees a lot of herself in me, so she gives me more space to learn and grow. My father has a harder time with it. He tries to respect me as an adult, but his protective side has the ferocity of a dragon.”
