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I dropped my gaze, uncomfortable with his unconditional affection. “Ethan…”
He moved in and cupped my face, giving me a kiss I wasn’t prepared to receive. But it was a good kiss, the kind that warmed my cold lips, that made me feel valued rather than used.
But I pulled away anyway. “Ethan, I’m just not in the proper headspace right now.”
His eyes were hurt, but he didn’t make another advance. “After everything he did, you still have feelings for him?” His incredulity was audible.
“I—I’m still hurt.” I couldn’t describe it. I’d just thrown him in a prison underneath the castle as revenge for the way he’d hurt me, but kissing Ethan somehow felt like a betrayal though Aurelias and I never had expressed even the slightest commitment to each other. “And I guess it hurts…because it meant something to me.”
“You were with me for months—and him a week.”
“I know it doesn’t make sense—”
“None, actually.”
“Ethan—”
“He was going to hand you over to our enemies and only refrained because they didn’t give him what he wanted. Let that sink in, Harlow.”
“I understand—”
“I don’t think you understand at all.”
“I locked him up under the castle because I want nothing to do with him, but that doesn’t mean my heart is ready to just move on, Ethan. It needs time to heal, to get over the betrayal. I don’t think that’s hard to understand. You need to stop chasing me because you’re a man who shouldn’t have to chase anyone.”
“I’d much rather chase the one woman I want than settle for your replacement.”
I stared at the garden that surrounded us, avoiding his penetrating gaze, the gaze that was so hard it could chisel his sculptures. “I should go.”
A flash of disappointment moved across his eyes, but he kept it locked behind his lips. “I’m glad you’re home safely, Harlow. You know where to find me…if you change your mind.”
* * *
The guard informed us that Atticus had returned with the army, so Mother and I ran outside to meet my brother.
He pulled his helmet off his head as he walked to us, his mouth wide with a grin. He handed the helmet to one of the nearby soldiers and walked up to me, looking more like Father than when he left, with the armor that fit his powerful body perfectly. He moved right into me and embraced me, lifting me from the ground as he hugged me in a way he never had before. “I was so relieved when I got Mother’s message.” He squeezed me before he returned me to the ground. “You’re okay?”
“Not a scratch.”
He embraced Mother next. “Where’s Father?”
“He still hasn’t returned,” she said solemnly. “But I’m sure he’ll be back soon. We sent a letter to HeartHolme to tell your grandmother that Harlow is home safe. I know she’ll relay the message to your father.”
Atticus continued his stare, his fears not alleviated. “I should take the army down—”
“No.” She raised her voice slightly, unintentionally. She calmed herself before she continued. “Your father is protected by two fierce dragons. I’m sure he’s alright—and I can’t part with another child right now.”
“Then we should still send the army—”
“I can’t deplete Delacroix of its forces and leave it unprotected, not when I don’t know the circumstances.”
“We can’t do nothing—”
“Give him another day,” she said. “The Teeth are defenseless against two dragons. He just left before Harlow arrived, so we need to give him more time. Once he discovered that Harlow wasn’t with the Teeth, I’m sure he flew to HeartHolme to plan his next move, which means he’ll receive my letter any moment now.”
That seemed to be enough to assuage Atticus because he didn’t protest further.
“Princess Harlow?” A guard appeared at my side. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but the prisoner wishes to speak with you.”
