Page 105 of Ruling Destiny

I shrug, aiming for casual, but he sees right through the facade. Unfortunately, I’ve made the mistake of letting him know me too well. So, I decide to lead with the truth. “I’m bringing it back to Gray Wolf,” I say. “It’s the only reason I’m here. But I suspect you already know that. You’ve known all along, haven’t you?”

The second the words leave my mouth, I know it’s the truth.

He hasn’t just lied about Killian—he’s lied about everything.

Braxton cocks his head, drawing his gaze from my head to my feet. And there’s something so strange, so unreadable, on his face that it prompts me to take another step away.

“Are you sure you should do that?” he asks. “Do you know what Arthur has planned?”

“Do you?” With another step back, I leave the question suspended between us.

Neither of us willing to answer, to move this thing forward.

Neither of us willing to lay it all on the line.

“You shouldn’t trust him,” he says.

“Are we still talking about Arthur?” I ask, trying to get a better read on him, but his eyes are like the bottom of the ocean, dark and unknowable.

“Sure.” He shrugs in the casual way of one who’s convinced they’re in full control of the situation. “But I’m also talking about Killian. Tasha, darling, please hear me. You’ve got it all wrong. I’m not your enemy, and Killian isn’t your friend. He’s not the person you think he is.”

Darling.Does he really believe that endearment still works?

I roll my eyes and shake my head. “Funny how he said the same thing about you,” I snap.

There’s a crease in Braxton’s brow as he lifts a hand to rub at his chin. “I’ve no doubt he did,” he finally says, the words hollow, his voice dull.

“You still haven’t answered my question.” I tighten my grip on my dagger, trying to summon the courage to use it on him if that’s what it comes to. “What are you doing here?”

With one look at my blade, Braxton raises his hands to prove he’s unarmed.

But I know better. Because somewhere in one, maybe even two, of his pockets, he’s stashed his own weapon.

I also know that he’s far more proficient than me when it comes to wielding a blade.

“I’m here because I missed you,” he says, slowly lowering his hands. “I was beside myself with worry when I learned Arthur paired you with Killian. And I thought you might be missing me, too. But I see I was wrong. You don’t look the least bit happy to see me.”

Braxton stands before me, looking strong, capable, and ridiculously beautiful as his ocean-blue eyes fix on mine. The sight of him looking like that is enough to make my heart literally melt in my chest.

God, I miss him.

Or rather, I miss the idea of him, the dream of him. Because now that I know he’s been feeding me lies—it casts everything he’s ever said under a veil of suspicion.

Including his feelings for me.

“Today’s the Bonfire of the Vanities,” he says, the words a hushed echo through the ancient, hallowed space.

“I saw a Botticelli out there on the pile.” I flick my blade toward the door. “You should try to save it before it’s too late.”

Braxton ignores the crack and takes a step toward me. “Come back with me, Tasha,” he pleads. “Leave the Moon behind and come back to Gray Wolf.”

“And return empty-handed?” I scoff. I mean, what the hell is he thinking? Is he actually trying to sabotage me? “You can’t be serious.”

Braxton sighs, the sound deep and resigned.

“You really think it’s that easy? That Arthur will just shrug it off?” I shake my head. “He’ll either send me right back, or he’ll send someone else in my place.”

“Doubtful,” Braxton says. “Only you can bring it back—and Arthur’s well aware of that.”

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