Page 116 of Kingdom of Shadows and Wings

I hold back a sigh. “I know you don’t believe I’m serious, but?—”

“Go.” He glares at me. “You should leave.”

I blink at his sudden change in demeanor. “I thought you said it’d be easier if I waited until the morning.”

I try not to take offense. He could be a bed hog or have an embarrassing snoring habit. Maybe he coos like a baby in his sleep.

“Not leave my bedchamber. Leave Flighthaven.”

The doubts return, frosting my skin. What the hells has gotten into him? Why this rapid switch back to his asshole version?

His face reveals nothing as he stares at the window, chest falling with each harsh exhale.

I squeeze my fists at my sides. “You can’t be serious.”

He sits up and crosses his arms, leaning against the headboard. “I am. If you were smart, you’d leave Flighthaven and never look back.”

I want to scream, but I push down my outrage.

“Why would you say that? And why did you spend all this time training me if you just wanted me to leave?” This sudden about-face makes no sense. “There’s no way I’m going home. It’s…not my home anymore.”

He refuses to meet my gaze. “If you don’t want to go there, run away somewhere your mother will never find you. Maybe Kamor.”

I grip the footboard to steady myself and attempt to make sense of this. I have no idea what changed, but I’m certain it’s not just the king’s coming exemption.

“Why are you suddenly so desperate to get rid of me? Why are you hells-bent on me not even being in the kingdom any longer?”

He runs his hand down his face.

“Answer me, Sterling. You owe me that.” I inch closer. “I know you don’t doubt my ability to succeed here. At first, sure. But not anymore. So what’s behind this sudden change? Because I said I love you?”

His throat works on a swallow. “It’s not…sudden.”

I want to laugh at the absurdity of this conversation. He can’t be listening to what’s coming out of his mouth. “You fucked me like you wanted me, yet now you’re pushing me away?”

“That’s all it was…fucking. Don’t make it into something it’s not.” He rises from the bed and paces across the room. “As far as your abilities, I won’t deny you’re skilled. But there is no you and me. We have no future…we don’t even have a present.”

He can’t mean that. Despite his frosty tone, sorrow flits across his face. And then it’s gone, replaced by an impenetrable mask.

I refuse to accept his behavior. “Look me in the eyes and tell me you have no feelings for me.”

“We had a fucking fling, all right?” He stops pacing and closes his eyes. “It was never going to last.”

Memories of our brief time together whirl through my mind.

You’re so damn beautiful.

You’re a habit I don’t mind forming.

I can’t get enough of you.

Hurt and anger battle for dominance inside me. “I never pegged you as a coward. But it’s clear that’s what you are. You can’t even look me in the eye when you’re breaking up with me.”

“Breaking up with you?” He scoffs. “You couldn’t have believed we’d ever have a real relationship. Even you aren’t that naïve.” At last he pegs me with his indifferent gaze. “We’re as far apart in personality and life experiences as two people could get.”

If he expects me to buy that explanation, he’s lost his mind.

“You’re saying you want someone exactly like yourself?” I laugh, hating how rattled I sound.

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