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The hand on my back gripped the fabric, twisting it as if he wanted to tear it off of me. Both his hands moved to my waist and he pulled me even closer with a firmness and a confidence I didn’t know he had.
My head spun and I became intoxicated with desire. I wound my hands into his hair, internally pleading with him to just take me to my room and free me from the desire I could no longer contain.
A door slammed behind me, breaking the spell Graham held me in.
“Let go of my daughter,” my father growled.
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Our hands dropped simultaneously,and we stepped back in a humiliated rush.
But the damage was done. I’d never felt so embarrassed in my entire life.
“Leavenow,” said my father. “I never want to see your hands on my daughter again.”
Graham turned to go, his cheeks red, casting a final glance in my direction before he slipped out the door and away from me.
But in that glance, I saw something that looked like an answer to my question. I’d seen it there before, but I’d been too closed off to recognize it for what it was.
I realized now that his hands felt like love.
His mouth tasted like love.
His voice sounded like love.
Maybe he really could love me.
“As if I needed another reason to be disappointed with you,” my father said once we were alone.
I raised my head. “You really think you have the right to be disappointed with me?” I fought my shame so I could hold my ground, trying not to be cowed by him.
His face darkened. “Considering you’ve only been after your self-interest ever since I let you leave our home, yes. I have every right to be disappointed with you.”
“Do you honestly think I’ve been doing what Iwantto do?” I asked.
“You’ve constantly changed our plans, following your impulsive whims at every turn, and now I see why. It’s all because of this baffling affection you have for that boy! Have you forgotten he’s a Brennin? In a city of unbearable nobles, you choose one from the very worst family of them all!“
“He’s no more like his family than I am likeyou.”
My father stepped closer, clenching his fists. “What a shame. I would’ve liked a child I could relate to.”
The rage on his face almost compelled me to quiet down and smooth it over just to keep the peace and to make him happy. But I’d done that too many times.
“That’s why you like Cael so much, isn’t it?” Though I stood my ground, my voice faltered. I cleared my throat and spoke again. “He’s never had to work for your approval like I have. No matter what he does, you think he’s perfect.”
“I don’t think he’s perfect,” he said, his fists softening. “And that’s not what I’m asking for. He simply has conviction. He’s willing to do whatever it takes for a worthy goal, and I admire that.”
“Whatever it takes.” I nodded. “You’re right. Hewilldo anything, no matter how vile, to get what he wants, but I do not respect him for that.”
“You poisoned Cardiff Pearce,” he said. “Do you consider that vile?”
“Yes,” I admitted, “as was tricking Graham into thinking he was saving the kingdom so I could steal his throne. I have done vile things, but I don’t respect myself for it either.”
“You’re far too idealistic,” he said. “You had noble intentions. Removing an immoral person is not itself immoral.”
“Right,” I said, “we’re purgers, not murderers.”
