Page 91 of Until the Stars Fall

I was on my feet in an instant, forcing her to step back half a pace. Despite that, she held her ground. I tried to ignore how her breasts pressed against my chest. Instead I chose to focus on the vitriol in her eyes. This woman hated me. How could I have ever thought I would be able to change that with a few sweet gestures and teasing comments? Why had I bothered to come here early? Why did I care about her discomfort?

“Fine,” I growled. “You want the truth? I need everyone to believe we are engaged, that this is real for both of us. And I don’t trust you not to fuck it up like you do everything else.”

At this, she gritted her teeth, searching my eyes. “So you’re just playing the part for both of us and hoping I’ll…what? Become so smitten with you I don’t have to pretend? Is that it?”

“Maybe,” I said before I could think better of it.

She inched closer to me and lowered her voice to an angry whisper. “As if I could ever fall for you.”

“You think I like this? You’re a political pawn, Lieke. Nothing more.” Part of me recoiled, as if protesting the words that had just come out of my mouth.

“And how do I know this isn’t some sick fantasy you’re playing out? How do I know you weren’t just jealous because I loved Brennan and not you?”

I threw my head back and laughed. “Yes, because all these years I’ve been pining for a human who was stupid enough to think she stood any chance with my brother.”

“Get out,” Lieke spat, throwing her hand toward the door.

“No.”

She pushed against my chest, but I didn’t budge. As an exasperated huff rose from her throat, she punched me with both her fists, and I let her. But when she moved to do it again, I grabbed both of her wrists and held them tight, ignoring the sense of déjà vu.

“Stop,” I growled, but of course she didn’t listen. She continued to struggle against my grip.

“Let me go!” she screamed, trying to pull away from me as angry tears began to well up in her eyes. I held firm, even when she drove her boot into my shins. “Damn you, Connor. Let me go!”

“No,” I said, forcing my voice to calm, hating how I couldn’t just let her go and walk away.

Matthias was wrong. I wasn’t falling for this woman. But I couldn’t send her to die, and if she could help me stop the rebels and protect the fae, I’d use her however I needed to.

CHAPTER 44

Lieke

I hated crying in front of Connor, and having him holding my arms captive as the tears streamed down my face was even worse. There was no fighting him though. He would always be stronger and faster than me. He would always have the upper hand.

Yet I still had some leverage here. He needed me. Even if he wouldn’t admit it aloud, there was something keeping him from changing his mind and having my sentence reinstated.

Brennan didn’t want me.

Connor didn’t like me.

I was nothing to this family except a pawn. While I hated the idea of being used, it was decidedly more appealing than dying. Maybe—if I could convince Connor he could trust me—I could at least have some agency. I could help. I could be more than a mere thorn in their royal sides.

Earning his trust, especially after I’d screamed at him and hit him, wouldn’t be easy though. Nor would it be fun or attractive.

Clearing my throat, I peered up at him from beneath my tear-soaked lashes.

“Are you done?” he asked quietly, almost gently.

I dipped my chin a bit and whispered an apology. Suspicion clouded his features, but after I took a couple of calming breaths, he finally loosened his grip enough that I could take a step back. Sweat pooled around my forearms where his fingers remained.

“I’m not going to hit you again,” I said, shifting my gaze to my wrists, silently begging him to let me go.

“I hope not,” he said, and a moment later he released me. “Can we sit and talk?”

Silently I obliged, perching myself on the edge of the chaise and resting my forearms along my legs as I leaned forward. I forced myself to look at him when he sat opposite me.

“Look, Lieke, I’m sorry,” he started, and my eyes widened in surprise. I waited for him to follow up with some justification for his actions, but he only sat there looking at me with what seemed like genuine regret.

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