Page 88 of A Touch of Gold and Madness

“I don’t understand. Out with it, Chrome,” I demanded, scrutinizing him with a shrewd glare.

Chrome blew out a breath and dropped his head in his hands, elbows propped on his knees. “That was my anger you felt, not yours.”

“What do you mean? How are you able to do that?” Once again, I wrapped my arms around my torso.

“Like I said,” Chrome said, his voice muffled between his knees. “It wasn’t intentional. I didn’t realize you’d be able to feel it.”

“Okay, you’re going to have to give me more than that.”

Chrome lifted his head, and so many emotions fought to reach the surface. They begged to be freed, but he closed his eyes. And when he opened them, they hid once again behind that steel wall he’d constructed so well. Another breath left him. “Since the day we first met, when our magic collided, I’ve been able to feel your emotions. I didn’t know if you could feel mine, too. But when we met again, all I felt from you was pain, anger, and revenge…and I knew that wasn’t the case. You didn’t even remember me, or so I thought.

“I thought this emotional tie to you was one-sided. That it was a specific gift of my own that came with being a hybrid. A gift I didn’t want. It made little sense because I couldn’t feel others’ emotions around me. Just yours. Only from a close distance, though.” He paused, barely lifting his head over his arm to see me. “I’ve felt your pain and your anger. Your fear. Your determination. Your shame. Your love. Your...everythingover the years. I’ve felt what that motherfucker has made you feel. And it just added to my anger for what he’s done to me.

“And now that you’ve accessed and formed a bond with your Elemental side, it seems to have awakened your ability to feel mine. It never occurred to me you couldn’t feel mine because half of your being had been subdued for so long. And I didn’t think to prepare forthat today.” Chrome’s eyes were drenched in regret and swam in guilt. “I’m so sorry.” He dropped his head again.

I sat there, stunned for several moments at his admission. But once the initial surprise wore off, another thought crossed my mind. “You mean to tell me,” I said, my tone dropping lower and lower with each word, “you have felt my every emotion this entire time? And you never once thought you should fucking tell me?” Rage, my own this time, reared its ugly head again, this time directed at Chrome. “Do you feelthat?” I asked, hands shaking.

Chrome clenched his jaw, his eyes squeezed shut. He took ragged, deep breaths, but he didn’t respond.

“You’ve been basically spying on me for the majority of my life as a godsdamn stranger! Who does that shit?” I sprung to my feet. Chrome didn’t; he just sat there resigned. “You’re no different from my father, you prick,” I said, my lip curling at the edge. “You disgust me,” I said, my voice barely audible.

Again, something tugged on my heart, like a thin cord pulled taut. Shame washed through my chest, but I was too pissed off to care abouthisemotions right now.

I whirled around and stormed back to the lodge. Back to my room, where IthoughtI’d had some privacy. Turned out I’d been monitored here, too. Just as I was at the palace.

Chapter 34

Gray

Tears threatened to fall as the weight of betrayal crushed me. I felt so stupid for believing our friendship had been genuine—a rare treasure for me. Was all of it borne from pity because he felt my fear and anxiety?

What I hated the most was the fact that everything I’d worked hard to keep hidden—my truths and emotions—had never been a secret, after all. He’d known everything. He saw what lay beneath my mask of indifference. And I had never given him permission to have such access. Only one person had that, and he was dead.

I felt violated. Actually, that word wasn’t quite strong enough.

I stalked back to the lodge with the hope of sulking in my room alone. Would I ever have that freedom? Or would he feel how broken and pathetic I was inside, only for him to mock me with a smirk?

The wind lashed through my ice-blonde hair, whipping it into my face. I didn’t care. Maybe it would block my tears from the others.

Everyone stopped and stared as I neared the entrance.

Realization struck that Chrome still held the black crystal necklace in his pocket. I was now on full display, like a foreign animal in thezoo.

I was tempted to breeze past them, but I stopped instead. Something within forced me to face them. I felt the steady hand of my element imparting its strength to me.

Scowling, I shoved my hair out of my face, exposing my gold skin and rainbow eyes for all to see. I met their stares—one by one—daring them to say anything. They didn’t. Their thoughts scrawled across their features like a scorse code. I met each set of wide eyes and open mouths, all of which quickly cast to the ground in submission.

I blew out a breath and continued inside, heading to my room. More stares from those in the foyer and the open living space followed as I passed. I didn’t stop this time. Word would soon spread from those outside.

The winding stairs to the top floor didn’t slow me down. I took them as fast as I could without running. A few people milled about on the landing, but as I had downstairs, I didn’t acknowledge them.

Almost there.

The hallway opened up on the right. As I rounded it, I slammed into a hard chest with my cheek. “Fuck!”

“Oh, Gray!” Orion’s soothing voice caught me. His hands braced my shoulders so I wouldn’t fall on my ass. “I’m so sorry, my dear. I didn’t see you…”

The mess of my hair fell into my face. Annoyed, I shoved it back with my fingers. It got tangled and snagged on the roots. I growled, moving to push past Orion.

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