Page 34 of Wild Fury (Fallen Royals 6)

“I’m sorry.” He takes a step back. “Give Sebastian a chance.”

I used to wonder where my darkness came from. When my skull cracked open and all the light fled out, leaving only black. But my analogy isn’t necessarily true, is it? Theo dosed me with hope. Every time we fought, it brought me a little closer back to myself.

And now he’s the one who seems to be snuffing out the hope by giving me away.

“I won’t let you go,” I say. “You, Theo Alistair, will regret this. If it’s the last thing I do. You don’t just get to decide that we’re…” Done. I can’t even verbalize it.

It’s ridiculous.

He’s not looking at me anymore. His gaze has risen past my shoulder.

“Take her back to the res hall,” he says.

I spin around, flinching at how close Felicity got. It’s laughable—the spier becomes the spied.

“We’re not done,” I snap at Theo.

“We are.” He scowls at me. “Hold on all you want, Lucille. It won’t change what’s happening between us.”

I jerk back.

Felicity comes forward and takes my hand. “Come on. It’s okay.”

It’s not fucking okay.

What if this breaks me, and all my darkness goes away? What if I’ve tied it all up in Theo, and ripping himself away from me takes those pieces of me with him? Who am I then? I can’t swallow over this damn ball of fire lodged in my throat, and I’m going to lose it at any moment. I let her guide me back onto the path toward campus.

Theo doesn’t follow us.

“You okay?” Felicity asks once we’re inside.

We climb the stairs and pause outside my door. I shrug, staring down the hall.

“I’ll be fine.”

“It sounds like he was breaking up with you? Ice cream usually makes me feel better. I think I can scrounge some—”

“No,” I say. “I’m all right. I just think I need to wrap my head around what he wants.” And plot ways to torture him in my imagination.

But once I close myself in the room, I have to cover my mouth to stop the noise that threatens to burst out. My stomach knots, and nausea has me moving to the bathroom. I always knew Theo and I were meant to be together. I felt it in my bones.

He doesn’t feel that way.

We’re done. His voice echoes around my skull, the ricochet like a damn bullet. It cuts me open. I allow myself the few moments to freak out, then mentally tape myself together. It’s fine—if Theo needs more convincing, I can do that.

Or…

Maybe it’s time to just prove to Theo that I’m right and he’s wrong. If I can just prove that he is a jealous monster, just like me… I’ll win.

Which means accepting Sebastian’s advances.

I shudder.

Honestly, I’d rather eat nails.

Ah, well. I’ve done worse.

10

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