Page 110 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

Viridian finishes his first course, and the servants bring out the next. It’s a meat pie of some kind tonight—meat stewed with vegetables and gravy, baked in a flaky, delectable crust.

I take my time eating it.

“You’ve been quiet tonight,” Viridian remarks. Leaning forward, he looks at me, as if I were a puzzle he’s trying to put together. “Something troubles you.”

He’s right. So, I finally tell him what’s on my mind. The elephant in the room I can no longer ignore.

“You’re jealous of Loren.”

Viridian shuts his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose. “You weren’t supposed to hear that.”

“But I did.”

Viridian says nothing. He picks up his fork but doesn’t use it.

“Did you… Did you mean what you said? About caring for me?”

Viridian’s gaze locks with mine, and for the first time in a long while, he lets his barriers fall. “Every word, Little Fawn. I meant every word.”

Warmth blooms in my chest. Relief skitters through my body, and I almost feel dizzy. As if I were drunk on the feeling.

I haven’t lost him yet.

Viridian is quiet, amber eyes studying me instead. Is he happy with what he sees in my expression? He’s gone stone-faced, making him nearly impossible to read. I don’t want those barriers up again so soon.

Before I realize what’s happening, I utter the words I’ve been keeping locked away.

The words I’ve finally found the courage to say.

“I don’t love Loren anymore.” My voice is faint. “Not like that.”

Deep down, I know I’ll always love him. But now, I’m falling for another.

And soon, my heart will belong to him. Fully.

Viridian’s stone-faced expression falls. The corner of his mouth perks up, a slight smile pulling at his lips. It delights me to see it. “Is that so?”

“Yes,” I say solemnly, meeting his gaze. I even my breathing, fighting the nerves that threaten to close my mouth. “Let Loren go, Viridian. Please. You have no reason to keep him here anymore.”

Viridian’s smile falls, and he turns his face from mine. As if he’s scolding himself for daring to hope I’d forgotten all about Loren. He’s silent for a moment. Have I said something wrong?

“If that is what you wish,” he says, breaking the silence.

“It is.”

He hesitates and presses his mouth into a fine line. His whole upper body stiffens.

“Then it will be done.” Viridian beckons to the nearest guard, resigned. “Release the prisoner at once. See to it that he’s long gone before I change my mind.”

“Right away, Your Highness.” The guard bows her head, and then exits.

“Thank you,” I tell him.

Viridian just nods, eyes falling to his plate. He doesn’t say another word.

We finish our meals in silence.

Iwake to a hurried knock at my chamber door.

---