Page 55 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

I scowl and lift the crown of my head. “Yes, I can’t imagine why you’d ever want a common, human bride.”

Viridian’s gaze meets mine. He lowers his hand from his face. “That’s not—I only meant—”

My tone goes cold. “I know what you meant.”

He pauses, looking away from me. Those amber eyes flare. The way he stares at the floor makes me think that he’d burn a hole through the stone, if that were possible.

“I know that you think I’m just like the rest of them.” He purses his lips, furrowing his brow. “And I know you won’t believe me when I tell you that I’m not.”

“Of course I don’t,” I shoot out. Everything he’s done comes crashing into me all at once—that night in the stables, the guards at my childhood home, seeing Loren in that cell, the locks on my chamber door. “From what I’ve seen, you are just like them.”

He just stares at me for a moment. Hurt flashes across his face, as if what I’ve said wounds him, somehow. He opens his mouth as if to say something, but closes it and tenses his jaw instead, the muscles flexing.

“The Heads of House all know something,” Viridian continues, ignoring my remark. “Something they refuse to acknowledge.” He shakes his head while he speaks, as if he can’t wrap his mind around it. “I’ve consulted the royal historian, skimmed the recorded texts, but whatever it is, it’s been well concealed.”

His words pique my curiosity, and I tell myself that’s the only reason my resentment subsides.

“The East Tower…” I murmur. Whatever secrets Viridian is looking for, they must be there.

“The East Tower?” Viridian echoes. “You’ve been to the East Tower?” His eyes widen, as if he’s putting the pieces together. “Your run in with the guard… You were in the East Tower, weren’t you?”

“Yes,” I say, thinking back to what I saw there. “You haven’t?”

I know that no one but the High King and his personal guards are allowed in there, but seeing as Vorr is his father, I would’ve thought that he’d broken the rules once or twice. That his curiosity would have gotten the better of him, like mine did.

“No,” he says, like he’s never even considered it. “It’s forbidden.”

I swallow. “Viridian, it’s—”

He doesn’t let me finish.

“Show me.”

Chapter Fourteen

“What about the High King?” I ask, quickening my pace to match Viridian’s stride. “Won’t he catch us? Or the guards?”

“No,” Viridian tells me, looking straight ahead. “My father’s not here. Nor are his guards.”

“What? What do you mean he’s not here?” I shake my head, struggling to understand. “Our engagement ball was only last night.”

“I’m well aware,” he growls. “It appears that my father slipped away from the castle grounds after he’d done his kingly duties as host.”

“He left after greeting the guests? Why?”

“I would love to know.” His voice is barely above a simmer.

“But—”

“He won’t lie to me anymore.” Viridian looks at me now, amber eyes blazing like fire. “I won’t let him.”

“Viridian…” My voice trails off. We approach the entrance to the East Tower. Turning my face from his, I slow to a stop. “You won’t want to see this.”

“That is all the more reason for me to see it.” Even though I can’t see him, I can feel the intensity of his gaze heating my cheeks. “And I don’t want to do this alone.” His voice softens, and I can’t help but face him now. “Please, Cryssa.”

I swallow. My name sounds like a plea on his lips.

No one has ever said my name like that before. This is the first time Viridian has ever said it.

---