Page 33 of King Foretold
A flash of anger passes over his face, but he only says, “I hope she continues to do so.”
“She will.” I look away. He knows about the word of power and my bloodlust. I hate that I’m such a mess. “She promised to find a way to remove the rune.”
“No matter what”—Ethan gently grasps my chin to turn my face to meet his gaze—“you will always be perfect to me in all your imperfections.”
I bite the inside of my cheeks and look away from him, afraid my eyes will betray me. He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, and the backs of his fingers brush my cheek. My pulse quickens with want, sharp and hot, and I have to fight to not reach for him. When he brushes his thumb across my bottom lip, I forget why I should stop him.
“Sunny.” He savors my name on his tongue.
There is so much love in the single word that my heart swells. One word from him, and I feel cherished. I feel perfect beyond measure. I am a wonder so precious he can hardly believe I’m real. I am loved in a way I never dreamed possible.
I jerk away from his hand.Thatis why I have to stop him.
Becauseheis cherished. He is so precious that my heart feels like it will burst.My perfect, wonderous Ethan.I love him with every broken part of me, so I have to push him away. If fate would have him end my life, I could at least spare him from knowing I love him.
But it isn’t enough that he believes I don’t love him back. He has to believe that I don’twanthis love. He won’t give up until I hurt him,and I have to make him give up. Because if he doesn’t ... I’ll give in and ruin everything.
“I’d love to blow off some steam with a hot make-out session.” I offer him a wicked smile and scrape my fingernails down his five o’clock shadow. I lean in until my lips are a breath away from his. “But I would hate for you to get the wrong idea.”
He rears back as though I slapped him. I might’ve hurt him less if I had. I feel as though I’ve buried a dagger in my own heart. I harden my resolve even as my soul bleeds.
“Come on, Ethan.” I click my tongue with feigned irritation, encasing myself in the cold, tough veneer I’ve hidden behind for a century. “Don’t take it personally.”
“Iknowyou, Sunny,” he rasps, fisting his hands on his lap until his knuckles turn white. “I don’t know why you’re doing this, but you would never be cruel to me without a reason.”
“How am I being cruel?” I arch my brow, but nausea roils in my stomach. I am being cruel, and I hate myself for it. “I thought we already went over this. Like I told you in Vegas, I don’t want any attachments toanyone—more so now that I’m a walking bull’s-eye. Why is that so hard to understand?”
“AndItold you in Vegas that I don’t expect anything from you.” The intensity of his gaze bores into me, but I force myself not to look away. “Just don’t push me away.”
“I’m not pushing you away.” I shrug, then smile coyly at him, even though I’m screaming inside. My next words feel like jagged shards of glass as I push them past my tight throat. “All I’m saying is that I’m open to fooling around if you’re willing to keep things purely physical.”
Ethan turns to stone, all the warmth flickering out of his eyes. My chest constricts, and I can’t breathe. It hurts so much. Still, I smirk at him with my head cocked to the side. My nails dig into my palm, breaking skin.
“We both know I’d be lying if I said I can do that.” Ethan draws away from me and rises to his feet. “I can’t take my beating heart outof my body, Sunny. If you ever decide you want me, you’ll have to take all of me.”
I hug my knees to my chest, gripping my arms tight to hide the shaking in my hands.Please don’t go.Tears blur my vision as he turns toward the door, with his back braced against the painIcaused him. Maybe he hates me now. My breath comes in panicked pants. I can’t do this.
“Ethan, I ...”I’m sorry. Stay with me.But a sharp knock cuts off my plea.
“Come in,” Ethan says in a deep, commanding voice.
“Your Highness.” Jihun steps inside the room, then halts, catching sight of me. “Sunny, you’re awake.”
“What gave it away?” I drawl, both grateful for and furious at the interruption. “The fact that I’m sitting up? Or that my eyes are wide open?”
Jihun walks past a stiff-shouldered Ethan and crouches down by my side. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.” My bluster seeps out of me at his steady gaze. “A bit woozy and weak, but nothing some food and sleep won’t fix.”
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” He glances up at Ethan, who watches us with an unreadable expression.
“No ...” I say in a small voice. I look down at my hands, and Ethan’s gaze heats the curve of my neck. “He was just leaving.”
“That’s good,” Jihun mutters.
“How exactly is that good?” Ethan arches an arrogant brow at him.
“It’s time for you to return to General Bak’s estate, Your Highness.” Jihun manages to sound deferential despite the challenge in the jut of his jaw. “I came to remind you that the guards will be changing shifts soon.”
