Page 127 of To Bleed A Kingdom

Tristan cringes and scratches the back of his head. “Uh… Aurora… You see –”

“I broke Jareth’s arms,” I cut in, then add after a moment's thought,“and maybe his balls.”

Aurora blinks slowly, ponders my claim for a moment, then shrugs and offers a meh sound. “Alright, then.” Passing by us, she climbs up the porch steps and peers at me over her shoulder once reaching the top. “Can you really break someone's balls, or is it more like a pop?”

“I can't be sure,” I reply, following behind. “I didn't feel anything burst when I kicked him, but I don't think I would with my boots on.”

Tristan climbs up the steps, bounding ahead of us and placing a hand on the door handle. “Please stop talking about breaking balls.” Pulling open the door, he cringes. “Or popping them.” He steps within thedoorway, but instantly steps back, snapping it shut and pivoting to face me. “Actually, I don’t think I’m in the mood for tavern food. Why don't we head down to the bakery instead?”

Aurora and I share a frown.

“The bakery is closed,” I say, waving over my shoulder at all the darkened shops behind me. “Everything is closed.”

“Then why don’t we head to Aurora’s shop and I'll cook us something?” Tristan grabs me by the shoulders and spins me around, guiding me toward the porch steps.

Rolling my eyes, I twist from his grip and move towards the door. “Do what you like, but I'm starving. I'm not going to wait around for you to cook when we're already here.” Wrapping a hand around the iron handle, I pull open the door, but Tristan slaps a hand on the wood, slamming it shut.

“Please don't go in there, Lena,” he says quietly, his hands flattened on the door, barring me from entering.

I stare at his somber face, the plea within his brown eyes. Brow furrowing, I open up my senses and travel down our bond, feeling anger, worry, and protectiveness. All on my behalf.

What does he not want me to see?

Never one to avoid the truth, I smack his hand away and swing open the door.

Shrieking laughter and boisterous jeering instantly accosts me. The scent ofroasted meat and ale tickles my nostrils, and the smoky air makes my eyes water. But the bombardment to my senses is not what causes me to freeze only a step within the doorway. It's the male sitting at the bar between a pissed off Kace and a concerned looking Zander.

It’s Darius.

Oh, and a beautiful blonde female draped across his lap.

Feeling as if I’ve been punched in the gut, my breaths stall in my lungs. Surprise and hurt course through me as my entire being wishes to look away, but I can't. I’m held captive by the sight of Darius holding another female in his arms. The very same arms that were wrapped around me just a few hours ago.

Confused, I release the tether on our bond and feel down the link, then nearly crumble to the floor when his emotions blast into me. So many emotions. Too many. Pain, hate, grief, anger, fear, confusion. I feel everything and nothing all in a debilitating swirl of chaos, fire and ice burning me from the inside out.

Darius' hardened gaze snaps to mine and his anger swells, rushing into me in a crushing wave. I instantly sever the link, unable to bear it any longer.

Aurora moves into my line of sight, cutting off my view of Darius. “I know what you’re thinking,” she says, her expression earnest, almost desperate. “But it's not what it looks like.”

“I think it's exactly what it looks like,” I reply quietly with a thick swallow.

“You don't understand,” she growls, her orange topaz and starlight jewels flickering with her frustration. “He had an argument with my mother today, and is always a piss to be around afterwards. That's all this is.” Eyes softening, she clutches my fingers. “He’s crazy about you.”

“And now he's crazy about her,” I state coldly, feeling my own ire begin to bloom.

It’s no secret that he beds women casually, as do I males, but after today … the things he said … I thought he wanted more. But evidenced by the blonde plastered to him, it was all a lie.

“Danya?” Aurora scrunches her petite nose and glances over her shoulder. “He hates Danya.”

“Clearly.” His sister opens her mouth to speak, but I cut her off with a raised palm. “Darius owes me nothing, Aurora. He can do as he wishes.”

She bites her lip, seeming like she wants to press, but nods when I give her a hard look.

“Okay.” She places a kiss on my cheek and stalks off to Kace, whispering fervently with him while glaring at Darius.

“Maybe we should leave,” Tristan says, sounding unsure.

“No,” I reply. “I need to speak with him. Tonight. There's not much time left.”

---