Page 53 of Conflicted

Micah’s words might’ve been sharp, but the tone he delivered them in was anything but. I understood immediately what he was trying to do. I’d caught him in a moment of weakness. Given we were hidden in the middle of the woods, I suspected it wasn’t something Micah had wantedanyoneto witness.

He was trying to put us on an even footing. To remind himself of what we were supposed to be to each other, rather than what fate intended us to be.

Born to be enemies, fated to be mates.

It wasn’t an equation that equalled a happy ever after.

Somehow though, I couldn’t let us go back to that place. After witnessing what I just had, I didn’t want to. I was starting to realise there was more to Micah than I’d thought. That maybe I held as many misconceptions about him as he did about me.

“You’re right, the education we received wasn’t focused on understanding. More torture and manipulation.”

Micah eyed me warily, taking a step back. “Is that what you were doing to me just now? Manipulating me?”

“Of course I fucking wasn’t.” I jerked my head towardsthe spot where we’d knelt. “That’s calledcomfort, Micah. I can’t say I’ve got much experience with it as a demon, but even I know what it is.”

He was quiet for a long time. Long enough to confirm that Micah didn’t know what comfort was. Not as the person receiving it, at least.

“Why’d you do it?” he asked. “Did you feel obligated because we’re mates?”

Now I was the one taking a step back. “Do you really think so little of me? That I could see someone suffering and ignore it?”

The walls were back up as he shrugged carelessly. “You’re a demon. It’s what happens in Hell.”

“To those who deserve it. There’s a difference, Micah. Some people deserve to suffer, and others don’t. I might not know you well, but I know which category you fall into.”

He ran a hand through his hair before he responded. “You don’t know anything about me, Nox. What’s more, you don’t want to.”

“What if I do want to?”

Micah stilled. “What?”

I closed the distance between us, taking his hand in mine. Instantly, I felt calmer. “I want to get to know you, Micah.”

“You do?”

I nodded, squeezing his fingers for emphasis. “Yes. I’m tired of ignoring this bond between us. Aren’t you? It’s exhausting trying to pretend it’s not there. I think it’s time we stop fighting it. Fate obviously intended us to be together for a reason, so maybe we need to figure out what that is.”

Steel flashed over Micah’s face as heripped his hand from mine. “So what you’re saying is you want to get to know me because you’re my fated mate.”

I blinked, confused as to why he was angry. Was the thought of getting to know me that abhorrent to him? “Yes.”

Anger rippled over Micah’s face. “I’ll pass, thanks.”

He turned to walk away.

“Wait.” I ducked around him, planting myself in his path. “You don’t want to get to know mebecausewe’re mates?”

He sighed, looking up at the sky. It hit me then that I didn’t know what had driven him out here. What’d had him breaking down enough to allow me close, if only for a moment.

“I’m saying that I’m sick of fate controlling my life. Every step I’ve taken has been predetermined. Being born to the most powerful arch pair. Destined to be leader of the Seraphim before I could even walk. Was my parents dying part of it too? Did fate plan for them to be taken from me all along? For me to carry the family mantle alone? To pretend I’m always in control, even when I haven’t got a fucking clue what I’m doing?”

I reached for him, my chest tight. “Micah?—”

“I’ve done it all without complaint.” He continued as though I hadn’t spoken. As though he hadn’t heard me. “For fuckingcenturiesI’ve done everything that’s been asked of me. I’ve put the happiness and well-being of everyone else above my own, and I’ve not once had an issue doing it.

“But this? My heart?” He shook his head bitterly. “Fate can’t choose who I fall in love with. I won’t allow it.”

I let my hand fall, jealousy as thick as tar wendingthrough my veins.Dimitri.He wanted Dimitri…but fate had had other plans.

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