Page 44 of The Time Of Queens

Instantly, two emotions hit me, one was a wave of relief, and the other… well, that one belonged to a certain girl who had only ever intended on leaving me.

America.

Boston.

Charlestown.

Fuck, but why had the thought of her leaving caused such a bitterness to grow within me? Why had it left such a sour note upon my tongue? Because I was foolishly letting myself get carried away with her, that was why. And to what end? She was to leave, and I was to finally be granted my Electus. We would all win in the end, so why, then, was I fighting against the finale as much as I was? Why had just the very sight of her tonight have me feeling as if my heart had stopped and only started once more when she had looked at me in return.

Why did I burn for her?

“What is the plan?” Vincent asked, and I shook my head to stop myself from referring to the plan in which I might stop Keira leaving for the Americas. Because I had foolishly lived contently these past few days in the knowledge that as long as she was Pip’s Lady’s maid, I could keep her close. I would have plenty of reason to demand Pip and Adam stay, or for myself to even join them in Germany. At the very least until it gave me time to make a decision on what to do about the girl. The girl who seemed to consume my every thought.

However, what I had not accounted for was for that decision to be taken from me, and with it, her leaving on a ship across an ocean.

“Brother?”

I released a sigh and forced myself to focus on what I knew was most important.

My Fated,not my temptation.

“Where is the farm?” I asked, ignoring the way my brother released a held breath, as if fearing I would be in mind to cast her aside for the maid. The rider told me that it wasn’t far from here and we could be there on horseback within the hour… information I was glad to hear.

“Get ready to leave, I will retrieve the girl myself. Ride ahead to inform the men that we are on our way and not to make a move unless absolutely necessary, do you understand?” I stated firmly, letting my mounting frustrations lace my words.

“Yes, my Lord,” he replied, bowing before rushing off to do my bidding. I nodded my head in silent command to Zagan, Lucius, and Adam to saddle up.

“What will you do?” my brother asked as he followed me upstairs so as I could replace my dining attire.

“What do you mean?” I asked, purposely feigning ignorance, something that didn’t work on my brother, for I should have known.

“About the maid, what else?” he hissed as I entered my chamber, making me grit my teeth and clench my jaw.

“I don’t wish to speak of it now,” I snapped.

“You may not wish to, but you must,” he argued, making me question,

“Why must I?”

“Because you are about to retrieve your Chosen One, that is why.”

I physically flinched at that, unable to help myself. But then after tensing my fists at my side for a few uneasy moments, I forced myself to relax enough to undress.

“It matters not,” I stated, despite knowing the words as nothing but lies…for it felt as though nothing else mattered.

“Horse shit, and you know it!” he lashed back at me, making my shoulders slump as I kept my back to him.

“Vincent, just leave it,” I warned in a dejected tone.

“No, I will not, as I do so for your sake, brother. For you are about to get what you always wanted, and you are on the cusp of ruining all chances at the happiness you deserve… and all for what? All for a mortal maid that isn’t your Electus.”

I winced once more, feeling it like a blow to the gut. But in that pain I also found my anger and I threw my jacket down as I snapped,

“What would you have me do!?”

He sighed and told me calmly,

“Let her go.”

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