Page 30 of A Crown of Fates

“By the time I was done, I no longer recognized myself. My hands were stained with crimson, and I didn’t feel any better. In fact, I was at my lowest, more desperate for peace than I’d ever been. Thenhereturned to me, with a smirk on his face and more lies. Only this time, I began to see through them…yet I did nothing to fight back.”

“Who is he?” Estee asks, standing much closer than I expected her to be and sounding ready for war. “And where is he now?”

My chuckle is dark. “He’s a god, Estee. You can’t touch him.”

She huffs as if she knows something I don’t, but if there was a way to kill Orix, I would’ve found it by now.

“And every time I gave into his magic, every time I willingly acted as his puppet, I became more tied to him,” I admit. “He’s linked to me in ways I don’t understand. His voice and energy are a constant threat in my mind. One powerful enough to keep you from feeling the bond and to make someone commit murder. To ruin this kingdom just for fun. There’s no stopping him, and I’m so sorry I’ve brought you into this mess.”

I finally look at her again, expecting to see disgust on her face but there’s compassion there and a determination in her strong stance that makes me hate myself even more.

“You should go,” I tell her. “Go back to Polaris. I’ll tell everyone I lied, that I was mistaken about you being my mate, and you can live your life without?—”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Theodore.”Orix’s voice slithers through my thoughts.“I told you that we needed her for the next phase of my plans and you’re not going to let her go. You will make her stay or your mother will pay dearly.”

For the first time, I hesitate to put her life above all others. It’s not just about my mother or me anymore. There could be consequences for Estee and?—

“You’re always worrying about the wrong things.”Orix sighs.“I thought this would be fun, but you’re more pathetic than I already knew.”

“Why would you keep the bond from us if you want Estee to be here?”I ask, hating that I’m always too many steps behind him.

“Because I could.”His chuckle is dry.“Though it hasn’t been near as fun as I’d hoped to mess with your emotions. So, let’s move along, shall we? You’re going to convince Estee to stay, she’s going to know the two of you are mates, and then you’re going to give me my heir. Only then will you be free.”

“No.”

I can hear Estee’s voice trying to break through to me, but I can’t listen to her right now.

“No? Don’t forget your place, Theodore. I’ve given all of this to you and I’ll take it away just as swiftly.”

When Orix told me he wanted me to find my mate and have an heir, I didn’t believe he meant to take the child from me. Maybe that was foolishness on my part. I should have questioned things more, but the manipulation I’ve lived…it’s broken me.

At least until Estee.

Whatever reason Orix needed me to have a child with my mate specifically, he just did me a favor because I’m finally thinking clearly.

“Go ahead, Theodore. Allow yourself to believe that you have the upper hand here. Try to stop me from getting what I desire and see what happens. I think I just might enjoy this game after all.”His haunting laughter echoes through my mind, making my body recoil.

A stinging slap across my cheek jolts my consciousness and as my vision focuses once again, Estee is standing in front of me. Her golden eyes are wild with fury and she’s breathing hard.

“Damn it, Theo. What is happening?”

Looking at her breaks my heart. I have to finish telling her everything and convince her to stay while also wishing she’d go because keeping her this close to that vile creature feels wrong. Yet, I know I have no other option. At least for the time being.

“I’m so damn sorry, Estee. I was only trying to protect my mother. I didn’t realize what he wanted, what he was capable of and now…”

“What are you talking about?” she demands, her nails digging into my forearm as she glares up at me.

“Orix,” I finally say his name. “He was just in my head. He’s the reason you’re here. He told me that if I found my mate and we had an heir that I’d finally be free of this mess. I didn’t question why any of that mattered. I only focused on the thought of being free. Until I met you, you were nothing more than a means to an end for me, but everything has changed now, Estee. You have to believe me. I won’t let him hurt you or our future child.”

She shakes her head and frowns. Her gaze locks onto mine full of sympathy, but as the words leave her mouth, I know it’s not the kind I’m hoping for.

“Theo, I don’t think we’re mates.”

My hands tremble as I reach for her face. “Orix said he was blocking the connection. You are mine. I know it with all my heart.”

“Are you sure?” she asks, her voice soft like I might break at any moment. “You’ve been through a lot and maybe he has been blocking me from feeling the bond, but he could just as easily be making you feel something that isn’t real.”

No. She can’t be right. Estee is my mate. She has to be. My heart knows and my wolf…there’s no way what I’ve felt these two days have been fabricated.

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