Page 77 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

"I'm sorry I killed someone you cared about," I admit with full honesty, his eyes locking with mine. "I was doing what I thought was best for my family. I'm sure you can understand that much."

Saying nothing, he shakes his head.

"I think I understand it a little too well," he admits, resting his face in his hands. "Initially, I hated your guts. I wanted nothing more than to watch you suffer in the ways you had done to me and Dove. The closer I got to you, the harder it was to see you as the murderer who took the women I loved away from me. My hate for you changed into a love," he whispers, his hand landing in my own, his thumb rolling over my knuckles. "That day in the snow. The day you told me about a life we could have lived together, that was the moment I knew that the way I saw you had shifted," he whispers. "I was bound by promises I had made to Elyon, and thought following through with them would keep you safe," he admits, nothing but truth rolling off of his tongue.

Pulling my hand away from him, I shake my head.

"That was not love, Fallan," I hiss. "You loved me out of convenience. If my sister was alive, you would have gladly killed me and walked off into the sunset with her."

Narrowing his eyes, he shakes his head.

"You think when I touched you that was fake?"

Sliding his hand under my sweater, I can't stop him, his hand grazing over my bump as his lips go for my neck. Panicking, I grab his good wrist, forcing it down on the bed before backing away, my cheeks flustered from the heat of embarrassment.

Widening my eyes, he looks shocked. Standing up to become eye level with me, we both stare one another down.

"Is that-"

"I loved you when I only had memories of you,” I push. “I loved the ideas you forced into my mind and allowed me to hold onto. I do not love what stands before me now," I hiss, trying to divert his focus elsewhere.

"Does Xavier know?" Fallan questions, completely ignoring my words.

"Does he know what?" I question, doing my best to play dumb despite what Fallan had felt.

"You're still in denial then?" Fallan pushes, taking a step closer.

"In denial about what?" I question, not feeding into the man's game.

“If you're so keen on kidding yourself, perhaps you won't mind me giving you a poke for what you did to my hand-”

Winnowing toward me, he grabs one of his small blades, ready to drive it into my torso, my hand grabbing his wrist before he can get too far. Feeling a surge of energy within my stomach, I shove Fallan across the room, watching him collide with his nightstand. Widening his eyes, I clutch my stomach, staring the man down with feral rage.

"I will tear your head clean from your body if you get anywhere near me like that again," I snap, baring my teeth toward the man.

"How far along are you?" he questions, completely ignoring my threat.

"Nine months," I hiss. "I have another five to go," I admit, struggling to hide the growing bump.

"For fuck's sake, Forest," Fallan sighs. "Does Xavier know?" he questions.

"Why the hell do you think he's here?" I question. "Why do you think I am here?" I push, getting in the man's face.

"You say you understand protecting family, Fallan, well, that's all I've been doing."

Placing his hands on my stomach, he jumps back at the feeling of her energy, my hands holding him in place.

"That's my little girl," I whisper. "That's Xavier's little girl, and I'm terrified. I'm fucking terrified of what would happen if Elyon knew she survived that horrid concoction. Throwing it up was a long shot, but she's a fighter," I smile, dumping all of my pain on Fallan.

"I'm trying to keep her, Xavier, and my family safe. That includes you, as much as you don't deserve it."

Dropping his hands, we both pick up on approaching voices, staring at his door as it slowly creaks open.

Standing in the doorway, Elyon looks confused, crossing his arms with amusement.

"Doing your rounds with your boy toys?" Elyon questions, clearly getting a thrill from what he has stumbled upon.

Straightening up, I pull my sweater over my bump, keeping my back to Elyon.

---