Page 129 of Of Rime and Ruin
Shame.
Shame.
I slump against the restraints of Lucas’s magic and let him hold me upright. The Beast screams, washing us in agonizing sorrow as I brace for her anger. But the look in her eyes is closer to disappointment. Like I should have known better.
“Aethan?”
I should have told her myself, about all of it. She didn’t need to find out like this. Tears slide down her face. Would it have been any different ifItold her? Would the news not have hit the same way?
“Someone’s been keeping secrets. She knew of the Beast, but not of the monster. A shame. The truth will save us all, goddess willing. Let us bring it into the light.”
I close my eyes, wetness pooling in my eyelids. He’s right. There’s nowe—no Beast versus king. It’s all me. Me, the rampant murderer. Me, the heartless king. My two selves merge, and I can no longer tell them apart. I’m all rage, all monster.
I didn’t hurt her. But I almost did.
“Shall we continue? Or would you like to keep the clawbeast inside you?” Lucas glares, holding me in the tight grip of his magic. His mouth quirks in a smile. “Better hurry, before your little sunfish becomes your next victim.”
His words drop like an anchor on my soul, dragging me into the dredges of my torment.
I willnotlet that happen. Not on my fucking watch. If it’s a choice between Nahla and the Beast, there’s no contest. I would rather spend my life torn in two than live in a world without her in it.
My eyes fling open, finding hers. She stares with open dismay. “For you,” I whisper through the pain. “This is for you.”
She shakes her head, but she does not know what she’s refusing. I will give her safety, a future. Everything she will never have if I let my power continue unchecked.
This is for her. For my kingdom. For the life we will build together.
I look the healer straight in the eye. “Do it.”
Lucas grins. Magic glints off the white of his teeth. His hands clench into fists, wrapping the cords of his magic tight, and he yanks the tether between us.
Pain.
Searing pain.
Tearing me in half.
Chapter fifty-three
Beast
Iseeher.
Through his eyes.
Blurry face. Curled up on the floor.
Crying.
She looks at him—at me.
My Sunfish is sad.
Because I lost control.
I almost hurt her.
Again.
