Page 126 of Heir of Illusion

“Is he the reason you’ve been distant lately?” he presses, his lip curling with disgust. “The reason you haven’t been coming to my bed when I call?”

I scoff. “Don’t pretend you’ve been lonely.”

Fury detonates behind his eyes as the meaning of my words sinks in.

“What happened with Bridgid meant nothing!” he snarls, rising from his chair. “And you can’t blame me for seeking comfort elsewhere when you’ve been distant for months! Your body may be here, but your mind is somewhere else. It’s not the same as before.”

“And whose fault is that?” I scream, unable to hold myself back as I unleash far more than I intended.

His eyes widen as he takes a step back.

The accusation seeps into the air between us, making it thick and cloying. Neither of us has ever acknowledged what he did to Leona. The silence pushes against my nerves, making my body rigid. I never meant to say that last part. It revealed too much of my hatred. I glance around, desperate for a way to reverse time and take back my words.

“Please,” I beg him, my voice small. “I buried my father today. Can we discuss this tomorrow?”

He watches me in silence, a million thoughts racing behind his eyes.

“Of course, pet,” he agrees finally. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Chapter

Thirty-Three

My hands shake as I slam the door to my room. Panic seeps into my bones, making them brittle. I play back the end of our conversation, trying to puzzle out his expression just before I left.

It appears while I was gone, either Alva or Morwen turned down my bed and left an oil lamp burning. The orange glow creates a romantic atmosphere in the room, but it’s wasted on me now. Stomping over to the vanity, I sit down and remove the pins from my hair with excessive force.

Just as I’m reaching for my brush, a familiar sensation tells me I’m not alone. I spin around, searching for the source of the sensation. A bolt of lightning flashes outside, illuminating a dark figure on the balcony. Only a second passes before I’m throwing open the double doors and pulling the bastard inside.

“How dare you?” I accuse him, my fingers digging into the soft material of his shirt. Dampness coats my hands from the rain that soaks him. It drips to the floor, creating a puddle at our feet.

Thorne’s expression is cold as he stares down at me. “I was trying to help you.”

The excuse only fuels my outrage. “I didn’t ask for your help.”

He says nothing as I push him away and begin pacing across the rug. Thunder booms outside, mirroring the rage rising within me.

“Is this all some game to you?” I demand. “Did you think I’d become part of your trade? As if you could buy me from him?”

His eyes narrow at the accusation. “You know that’s not what I was doing. If you would calm down, you’d see that I don’t want toownyou. I’m trying tofreeyou.”

“I can free myself!” I scream.

My face blanches as my hands cover my mouth. I glance toward the door, my eyes round as I wait to see if any of the patrolling guards heard my outburst. Nothing but silence comes from the hallway, telling me I’m safe for now. I ball my fists, willing my anger to cool.

“All you did was make things worse,” I whisper.

His eyes harden as he cross his arms over his chest. “At least I did something.”

I take a step back. “You think I haven’t?”

“I think deep down you don’t want to be free,” he accuses. “You’d rather stay here and punish yourself for something that wasn’t your fault.”

His words are an invisible knife slicing across my middle, leaving me wounded and exposed. “You don’t know me.”

He laughs darkly. “I know you, Angel.”

“Clearly not if you think I want to stay here.”

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