Page 143 of Charming Deception

“And that’s it? You just leave me behind?”

“We say goodbye now or in three days when you leave on your bridal march. What’s the bloody difference?”

“The difference is you never said goodbye!”

I stare at her. “Goodbye.” I press a kiss to her forehead.

She shakes her head. “No. Wolf. You’re not leaving.”

“I am. And there’s nothing you can do about it.”

She glares at me, starting to shake with helpless anger. She’s shattering right in front of me, but what can I do?

Neither of us can change her destiny.

Or mine.

And our destinies just don’t align.

“Come back with me. Now,” she demands.

“You can’t give me orders, Rowan. I’m not one of your subjects.”

She steps back a bit, putting space between us. Like she’s waiting for me to back down.

I don’t.

She reaches down and starts petting herself, her fingers massaging in slow circles between her legs. “Fine,” she says, her voice small. “Then walk away, if you’re going.”

But now it feels wrong, with her standing out here, doing that. Undressed like that. It’s getting dark.

“Rowan. This is how it has to be. Don’t be mad.”

“I’m not mad.” Her voice is breathy, her hand moving in a deliberate rhythm. “I’m just thinking you’re the worst person I’ve ever met.”

This hurts in a way I can’t fathom.

I never wanted her to hate me. Maybe I knew she would, and I knew it would hurt. I just didn’t know how much.

“Rowan—”

“Stop saying my name.”

“Please, stop.”

“Stop what?” Her fingers don’t stop. Her eyelids grow heavy, her gaze burning with anger and the betrayal she must be feeling.

“I’m going now. And you have to go back to the citadel.”

“Maybe I will and maybe I won’t.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I’ll do what I want to. You can’t give me orders either.”

“Fine. If you want it to be like this.” I take a step away.

She stops touching herself. “You want it like this! This is your doing, not mine. Don’t you ever forget that, as long as you live, Wolf!”

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