Page 88 of Ties of Starlight

Her voice darkened. “Now, since you forced me to answer this, it's your turn. How long?”

“Idonea—”

“How long have you known where he is?”

Nyrunn closed his eyes and drew in a long breath. “I found out last night, I swear.”

But there was something in his eyes. Something else was flaring again and again in the bond, faint but persistent, like it had been there a long, long time.

“Why don't I believe you?”

“I don't know. All I know is you consistently call me a liar when I'm telling you the truth. Maybe you just want to think the worst of me no matter what I do.” Nyrunn’s voice cracked. “I can't win with you.”

“Did you know where he was before we got married?”

Something flickered in his gaze and it gave him away.

When she shifted back, he reached toward her, but she was too far. His hands hung in the air as he took a faltering step toward her. “No. Idonea, no, I didn't.”

That sounded true, but that faint, persistent guilt still hummed in the silence.

She whispered, “There is something you're not telling me. Did you even look for him that morning?”

“Of course I did.”

“He couldn't have been far—”

Nyrunn shook his head, voice picking up speed along with it. “There wasn't enough time even if we had found him that day.”

“What would have happened if you did find him?”

“I—I don't know—” Nyrunn stepped back as she advanced on him.

“Why didn't you send word to me that he was missing?”

“There wasn't time—”

“Don't lie! Why didn't you tell me Olaug was gone and you were stepping in before the ceremony? Why did you let me think you were him? If I believe you that you didn't find him—even if you had, you would have hidden it—Why? Why did you do all of this? Why did you marry me, knowing I was there to marry Olaug?”

He just stared at her, that look in his eyes all over again. The one from the Heava Dance.

The one she'd never seen before. Not fully desire. Far from repulsion.

His voice was barely a breath. “Because I couldn't risk losing the chance I had.”

A cold rush went straight down her spine. “What are you talking about?”

“I was too late last time.” Nyrunn closed his eyes and took a slow breath before opening them again. He took a step toward her, then another. “I was too much of a coward before. I thought I was hiding it from everyone but you, but you looked at me and were only seeing a vengeful ghost.”

“Hiding what?” Idonea was frozen in place. He couldn’t mean what it sounded like he meant?

“Seven lives and you can't see it even now?” Nyrunn's hands found her waist. His voice lowered as he stared downat her. “The first day after my mourning period ended was the day you were selected to be part of the Cometa Couple.”

“I remember.”

“But you don't know... I was going to ask you to marry me. But then you were engaged to someone else. I got a second chance, and I wasn't going to waste it.”

What?

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