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“I wish I hadn’t either now,” I agreed. “But you didn’t leave me with much of a choice, did you? If I’d stayed, what would you have done? I had no idea that I had a psychotic sister waiting in the wings. I might have done things a little differently if I’d known.”
“You don’t know for sure that Lysandra is who she says.”
I shrugged, dropping my gaze toward the sleek wood of the dresser. Jace’s strong hand touched my chin, welling emotion inside me.
“If this is your way of getting me to do the DNA test?—”
“It’s not. I’m just asking you how much of what she said you’re buying into.”
I scoffed lightly and tossed the shirts into the suitcase. “I have no idea,” I answered honestly.
“You believe her, don’t you?” he murmured.
I couldn’t meet his eyes. I didn’t know what I believed.
“Jace, just let me get packed and going,” I whispered. “The longer I’m here, the bigger the risk is to you.”
“You’re worried about me?” He pushed my chin upward, forcing me to meet his eyes. Shock flooded his face.
“Of course I am. Me being here was never supposed to be a problem for you. Even Saint can agree to that.”
“I don’t want you to go,” he said bluntly. “Stay.”
My heart pounded in my ears, the rhythmic thuds palpable in my throat.
“Don’t do this,” I begged him. “We both know I can’t stay here.”
“Of course you can. You were safe here. You were the one who ran off and made it weird.” He gave me a watery grin, but I couldn’t return his smile.
“Didn’t you hear any of what I said to you? Lysandra wants you and all the other kings dead.”
“And she’s blown her cover now. We’re all on guard,” he insisted. “She’s not coming anywhere near us… near you.”
Biting on my lower lip, I stepped out of his hold, but I didn’t return to my packing. I believed that he and the rest of the kingdoms in Mystara were secure from whatever threat my sister could pose as long as they remained behind their army of guards. It seemed to be what had protected them so far.
But me? I had already defied Lysandra and showed her whose side I stood on. What would she do the next time we encountered one another?
“I can’t stay here, Jace. You’ve made that clear, and I understand it.” I added quickly. “My bloodline?—”
“Is not your fault,” he interjected, stepping closer and reaching for my hand. “And I’m sorry for everything I said. I was taken by surprise. I was mad at your brother for keeping it from me.”
“You and me both,” I muttered, a spark of irritation resurfacing at the mention of Saint.
“But I should have never made you feel less than adequate. What happened was not your fault. Please don’t go, Elix. When you were missing, I went out of my mind.”
I studied his gorgeous face, reading the sincerity within it, but the words weren’t enough. He had already apologized to me, and my resolve was slipping away, bit by bit, but could we make this work, knowing what I knew now? Who I was?
“It’s not just about you, Jace,” I whispered. “You have to think of the kingdom.”
He cupped my face fully, pulling me toward him. “I have always thought of the kingdom. Do you think I would ever put Goldhaven at risk if I thought you were truly capable of hurting its residents?”
Biting on my lower lip, I shook my head.
“You are still the same fae I fell in love with, the same fae I knocked the mayor’s son out for—and would again.”
A smile twitched on my lips unbidden, and I cocked my head, willing myself to be serious. “Come on, Jace?—”
“I mean it, Elix. I know you, and you know me. We are supposed to be together. Can’t you feel that?”
