Page 96 of Of Blooming Embers
Bitterness swelled over my tongue.
He was an Ancients-damned liar.
He never truly wanted me.
He had rejected and toyed with me all these turns.
I sucked in the sweet air and pushed my shoulders back. As I moved toward him, his chest rose and fell fitfully.
My eyes narrowed as I stood before him, anger fizzing over myspine. I opened my mouth to speak, but nearly choked on the sob clogging my throat.
He reached for me. “Little St?—”
I held up one hand, blocking him. “Don’t you dare. Don’t you dare touch me.”
Hundreds of people flit about, but it could’ve been just the two of us for all I cared. My hands trembled, and I shook them out, agitated by the sign of weakness. Spinning away, I rushed outside into the blessed rain and down the stairs.
He followed, grabbing my wrist and turning me to face him. Rain streamed down his jaw as if the Ancients were pouring their tears down his beautiful face, attempting to wash away the deception.
My chin lifted, and my eyes bore into his. “Kaden told me about your talisman.” I poked my finger into the thickened skin under his tunic, and a zing of energy poked at my skin. “About how upset you were to find out we might bekhorda.” I spat out the last word.
Shame settled over his features, wide shoulders drooping.
“Seryn, I wanted to?—”
“I don’t want to hear it. This is the last time I’ll allow myself to be broken by you.”
He cupped my cheek, but I turned away from his touch as if it burned my flesh.
“Please. I couldn’t—” he pleaded, but I was drowning in pain. He couldn’t save me this time.
“Enough,” I sobbed, my tears mixing with the rain. “My heart can’t take it.”
And then I ran, just like Gavrel had done so many times before.
The further I got from him, the more the thread wrapped around my ribs constricted.
But I didn’t care.
It was my turn to flee.
37
PENANCE
GAVREL
Iknew she’d find out the truth eventually.
And that it wouldn’t come from me.
I’d lost her, and I fucking deserved it.
This was my penance.
38
BIG GIRL BREECHES
