Page 45 of The Time Of Queens

At the very thought of this I flinched back, before I felt my jaw hardening to the point that I thought my teeth would shatter.

“No!” I shouted, making him sigh again in frustration.

“Dominic, my brother… what you are about to do is not fair on her.”

I felt every inch of my body grow cold as his words forced me to think on that. On how her being here to witness my affections bestowed on another might make her feel. For I knew if roles were reversed, then to see another man in her life would cause me great pain. Although a murderous jealously would also ensue shortly after. Yet despite this, I still argued in return.

“Like you care, for I have seen the way you treat her.”

“I treat her like the obstacle she is, and like any other that would stand in the way of my brother’s fated happiness.”

I shook my head but didn’t say anything more, for how could I contest it?

“You are a fool if you think you are the only one who has developed feelings here.”

I snapped my head back to his.

“Explain your meaning!” I demanded with that jealous snake threatening to swallow me whole.

“I have seen the way the girl looks at you, especially when she feels herself free to do so without your knowledge.”

I swallowed hard, feeling the increase to my heartbeat and the green snake quickly vanished as I now knew whom in whichhe spoke of. However, he was not finished in his delivery of what he no doubt believed to be good sense.

“She has fallen for a man that can never be hers, so for her sake if not for your own…let her go, brother.Let her go before you cause her even more heartache.”

I tensed, closing my eyes at just the thought of never seeing her again. But I knew what he said was true. I did indeed intend to bring my Electus back here. And what would that mean but a bitterness for her to swallow every time she looked upon us both.

She deserved better than that.

For I may have not been free to love her for an eternity, but that didn’t mean I didn’t already love her enough to do what was right by her…even if it meant letting her go.

I didn’t say this to Vincent, knowing I couldn’t speak in that moment for fear of what I may reveal. I did however, nod, telling him without words that he was right. Hence why I felt his comforting hand land on my shoulder and squeeze it.

“You are doing the right thing, brother… I will meet you outside but first, I will have the girl sent up here.”

Again, I nodded, unable to look at him or say a single word. For once, wishing that the time in getting to me would take even longer, for I was not eager to see her knowing what was to follow.

But moments later and she was knocking on my door, which meant I was forced to clear the emotions that felt ready enough to choke me.

“Come in!” Gods, but why would fate put this beautiful creature before me now? Why, when I could have at the very least experienced one lifetime with her, even if I was forever forbidden to fully claim her? I could have at least indulged in having her as my companion. I would have cared for her, ensured that she wanted for nothing.

I could have given her my world.

But then the reality of that selfish dream hit me. For I couldn’t have given her the one thing she might have craved for.

A husband.

Children.

A family.

I closed my eyes once more before facing her, trying to take in the sound of her sweet voice to sear it to my memory for safe keeping.

“You wished to see me, my Lord?” Her fearful tone sounded as if she knew something was coming and she was trying to brace herself against the fall. So, I let my head hang for only a second before tensing my whole body, absolute in my decision. Although when finally turning to face her, it felt like I had been delivered the first blow in battle without even the chance to swing my sword.

She was perfect.

My sweet little maid.

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