Page 116 of Clash of Kingdoms

I refilled my glass.

Huntley asked a question he’d never asked before. “How are you?”

I cut myself off and crossed my arms. “Shitty.”

He gave a subtle nod. “Anything I can do?”

I shook my head. My father had been buried in their cemetery, and Huntley had given no objection to it. Allowed me to engrave his tombstone with honor rather than corruption. He held no animosity—even though my father would have killed him and taken his kingdom if I hadn’t been there.

“Things aren’t good with Harlow?”

I stared at him.

“I assumed you would be with her right now since you’re leaving soon.”

“I think that’s over…” I didn’t see a scenario where we made up before I left. She’d stormed out, and based on the fact that she’d disappeared, she didn’t want to make up. It would probably be easier for her if I left on these terms.

“You haven’t changed your mind, then?”

I almost looked away before I shook my head. “She said you would accept her choice to become a vampire. Is that true?”

It was a simple question, but he took a long time to answer it. “Yes.”

“You asked me to never turn her.”

“And that was wrong of me. If Ivory’s father had cared enough to have forbidden her from being with me, that wouldn’t have changed a damn thing. I see the love you have for each other, and I know it’s real. I would never intervene…even if that meant I would lose her.”

If Harlow turned, that would fix everything. But I still couldn’t do it. “She offered to be a vampire so we could be together.”

Huntley’s expression didn’t change, but his entire being gave a jolt in pain.

“I told her no.”

He did his best to keep the same expression, but it was a losing battle. Relief moved across his face. “Why?”

“Her soul is too pure. I would never allow her to forsake it. I would never allow her to give up everything that matters to her just so she could be with me, not if I’m unwilling to do the same for her. It would be wrong.”

Huntley gave a slight nod. “I appreciate your integrity.”

“But now, she won’t speak with me, and I can’t find her. Do you know where she is?”

There was a pause. “I think so. But I can’t tell you, Aurelias.”

Disappointment moved through me, but I hid it. “I understand.”

“It’s not my place to say anything, but I’m going to say it anyway.” He looked me hard in the face. “Beautiful women are a dime a dozen, but a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul…that’s a needle in a haystack. To find someone you love…truly love…is almost impossible. If I had the choice, I would choose one life with Ivory rather than eternity with someone lesser.”

I stared at his face.

“Harlow will get over it eventually. She’ll marry. Have children. I know time works differently for you, so it may take ten years before you realize what you lost, but by then, it’ll be too late. You may live forever, but that means your regrets last forever too. Something to think about…”

I didn’t want to picture her marrying somebody else. I didn’t want to picture her with a swollen belly as she expected her first child. I didn’t want to picture the man who had replaced me.

“Regardless of what happens between you, I want you to know that I’ve come to care for you deeply.” Huntley said all of that without discomfort, showed more affection for me than my father ever had. “Not just because of what you’ve done for us, but because of your noble character and stout heart. If you married my daughter, I wouldn’t love you like a son-in-law, but my own flesh and blood. It would be an honor. But if you don’t marry my daughter…I’ll still always see you as a son or a nephew. If you’re ever in need of aid, you know HeartHolme will answer that call.”

TWENTY-SIX

HARLOW

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