Page 74 of Kissed By Songs of Lilies

She started pacing around the room, and I made out a word here and there. "My gran… ancestors… susurrus." That last word pulled the puzzle together for me.

My heart quickened. Somehow, Georgia had performed a spell and contacted her ancestors. Working with susurrus would have made it relatively simple, but where did she get the idea? Had someone helped her?

Now she knew the terrible truth–Briar was dead.

Unfortunately, there was still more she didn’t know. As I looked at the pain and hurt swimming in her eyes, I longed to tell her everything. But I couldn’t.

Briar was dead, yes. But the changeling who had assumed her place… she was alive and well. She had also ensnared me in a bargain. One that forced me to hold my tongue. One I was regretting immensely right now.

When I had made that bargain, I had been afraid of my curse becoming known. I had been afraid of losing my crown. Now, I had lost something much worse–Georgia’s trust. And I feared, any moment now, I would lose her too.

"How can you be so cruel?" she screamed. "You let me walk around, believing she was alive, believing that one day we might be reunited. I knew your kind stole brides, but I didn’t know they murdered them."

She swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand, trying to see through the free-falling tears. "Gran said to ask you what happened. Do you know who killed her? It wasn’t- it wasn’t you, was it?"

I stopped cold as horror washed over me. How could she possibly think that? "No, Georgia! Of course not. That’s not what happened. Your sister was never a stolen bride. She came here on her own." That much I could say, but it didn’t matter. She didn’t let me finish.

Her cheeks turned bright red, and her eyes changed from sorrow to rage. "No," she screamed, balling her fists. "She was stolen. She would never leave us. Not after our mother-"

"You know I cannot lie," I said softly, trying to make her see reason, but it was too little, too late.

"You cannot lie, but you can deceive. I will never believe another word coming from your lips for as long as I live."

I was losing her, and my heart ached. Was there nothing I could say to convince her? "Can’t you see, like it or not, our fates are intertwined? You are meant to be here," I said desperately.

She looked at me with cold eyes. "The only reason I’m here is because you dragged me."

I growled in frustration. "That’s not true! You didn’t want to marry that old man from Frost Haven. You were desperate to see your sister again. You would have made your way to these shores with or without me–or died in the attempt."

She bit her lip then shook her head wildly. "No, I won’t listen to you. I won’t let you sway me. I might have-"

"Might have what?" I exploded. "Stayed home, locked away from the ocean waves, sunshine, and everything wild and beautiful. Married some boring, ancient aristocrat?" I gripped her shoulders and stared pleadingly into her eyes. "Can’t you see?"

She lowered her voice into a deadly whisper. "I never want to see you ever again."

Tears pricked the corner of my blighted eyes, but I refused to wipe them. Instead, with a deep breath, I growled, "Then I release you from our bargain."

I watched Georgia turn her back and run—away from me, away from everything we had so delicately built together. Like seashells, our fragile pieces shattered so easily.

I hung my head. Why wouldn’t she run? I had stolen her. I had kept secrets from her. I was a cursed, broken man who had nothing to offer her.

Cold, dark, numb despair engulfed me.

Harry found me. "Is something wrong? I saw Georgia in the hall. She looked upset."

It took me a moment to hear his words. I was so numb. My soul rot was likely eating my heart as we spoke. "I told her everything. I released her from our bargain," I finally murmured.

Harry’s eyes widened, and he shook me by the shoulders. "Forrest, snap out of it! You have to go after her."

"And do what?" I murmured.

"Whatever it takes! Get down on your knees and beg for her forgiveness. Not just for the curse, for yourself."

"For myself?" I asked.

"You ended your bargain for goodness sake. You love her, you idiot."

I did. Of course, I did. I loved Georgia with my whole soul-rotted heart. I loved her ocean eyes that looked for the goodness in others. I loved her coral lips that spoke such clever words. I loved her hardworking hands that raised plants from the soil. I loved the loyalty that pulsed through her veins–that unyielding defense of her family, friends, and kingdom. Most of all, I loved her wild heart.

---