Page 124 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

Father arches a brow my way, opening his mouth as if to speak.

“There’s no time,” I tell him, already moving to the door. “I’ll explain everything when I see you again.”

If I’m going to make things right with Viridian, and stop whatever dark magic is poisoning my father, then I need to leave.

Now.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Iemerge from my childhood home and into the night. The action is oddly familiar, yet foreign at the same time. But this time, I leave home with a newfound purpose.

Rough hands that don’t seem familiar hook around my waist and drag me forward, until I’m pressed against a body. Lips find my own, and my body recoils.

Instinctually, I bite down, a copper tang coloring my tongue.

I shove.

Hard.

“Damn it, Cryssa!” a masculine voice curses. “It’s me!”

My eyes come into focus, and I see the man that stands before me.

Wide-eyed, Loren raises his fingers to his lip, staring at the bright red that now stains them. “Have you lost your gods-damned mind?”

“You,” I snarl, holding myself back so I won’t be tempted to throttle him. “What are you doing here?” I ask, lowering my voice. “Haven’t you done enough?”

He’s the reason Viridian thinks I don’t want him.

It would be all too easy to blame him for everything. But I know I’m the one that’s really at fault. Purpose surges through me, the force of it giving me more than enough strength to do what I have to.

I’m returning to Keuron to repair what’s been broken.

And I won’t let Loren hold me back. Not anymore.

It’s time to let him go.

“I’m here for you,” Loren says, as if that should have been obvious. “Aren’t you happy to see me?”

When I don’t say anything, he continues.

“My feelings for you haven’t changed, Cryssa.” He takes a step toward me. “I’m sorry I left you in Keuron with him.”

The way he refers to Viridian boils my blood.

“Don’t be sorry,” I snap. “He’s good to me. More than you could ever know.”

“Good to you?” Loren leans back incredulously. “He imprisoned me for weeks. Maybe longer. He held you captive. He took you away from us—from your family.”

“I know.” My voice goes quiet.

How could I forget?

“Have you forgotten what Theelia’s blessing means?” he seethes, while jabbing a finger at me. “That male could be your undoing. Do you even realize that he could be the reason you di—” He stumbles and covers his mouth, as if he can’t bear to say the word. “Does that mean nothing to you?”

I turn my face away from his.

“Cryssa.”

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