Page 100 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

So, I say nothing, only speaking to thank the servants when they arrive with the first course. And then the second.

“Have I done something wrong?” I ask at last, breaking the silence. I move my food around my plate with my fork. “If I have, then I’m sorry.”

“No,” Viridian says, his eyes cast down at some spot on the table. “You’ve done nothing wrong, Cryssa.”

“Then what is it?” I ask. “And don’t tell me it’s nothing. I know that’s not true.”

“I—” he pauses, and swallows. “This isn’t what you want.”

“This?”

“Us. This betrothal. This life.” He practically spits out the last word.

I tighten my mouth.

I can only shake my head. “That’s not true.”

“Isn’t it?” His voice increases in volume. “Then look me in the eyes and tell me that you do.”

“Viridian, I…”

“You can’t,” he says, looking as if he tasted something sour. He looks away from me, avoiding my gaze.

“Viridian,” I repeat, my voice firm. “This is about Loren, isn’t it.”

He hardens his expression, gripping his fork and knife.

“Isn’t it?” I press.

“Yes,” he shoots out. “It is.”

I lean forward. “Why?”

“Because you love him!” His words rush from his mouth, as if he’s exploding on the inside. “You love him,” he repeats, though this time, his words are barely above a whisper. “Don’t you?”

My heart aches in my chest.

I was afraid of this.

The two halves of my heart are colliding. Crashing into one another.

“Viridian.” My voice is faint.

“Tell me you don’t love him.” He looks at me with the face of defeat, and his voice trembles. It trembles.

I look away.

Because I can’t give him the answer he wants.

I do love Loren. Part of me always will.

But I…

I’m falling for him, too.

“That’s what I thought,” Viridian continues bitterly, picking up his goblet of wine.

My stomach sinks.

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