Page 59 of A Story of Sinners

A laugh tore from my throat as my hand squeezed the piece of fabric behind my back. “He’s lying, darling. He’s grasping at straws and saying anything to convince you to go with him. Every word from his mouth is a lie.”

She planted a hand on my chest, and her lids fluttered. “If you had stayed and apologized, I would have gone with you. If you had remained mated to me, I would have followed you anywhere, but you didn’t. You rejected me, and I can’t risk placing my trust in you, only to have my heart broken yet again.” She squeezed her eyes shut, and when they reopened, the rim of her waterline was wet. “This isn’t the end of us. Never. If you truly love me, then you’ll let me go.”

I placed my forehead against hers, using my free hand to caress her face while I slowly slid my hand forward.

“I can’t do that,” I whispered.

“You already did, when you chose—” Her retort died on her lips as I pressed the cloth to her mouth. One inhale was all it took before she was fast asleep.

Dahlia would forgive me, once she discovered the male had been collecting pieces of her hair and watching her while she slept, or at least, that’s what I told myself. The truth was that it didn’t matter if she ever forgave me, or if we made amends, because that male—there was something wrong with him.

It was unclear what his motives were—whether he was driven by wickedness, obsession, or some other ulterior motive. Deep in my bones, I could feel the truth: he would destroy her. He would break her down, tear her apart, never to build her back up.

I couldn’t have that.

I brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, and whispered, “I’m sorry.” Then, I picked her up, cradling her head against my shoulder. My actions would make me the villain in her story, but there was no other way.

With Dahlia in tow, I turned to the mirror, ready to join Redmond and Fin, but a lone, hooded figure stood in the doorway.

The Queen of Cambriel.

“Take me with you,” she demanded.

I scoffed, “No.”

Dahlia’s unconscious form slid down my body, so I pulled her up and slumped her over my shoulder. I moved forward, determined to pass the queen, but she shifted in front of me, blocking the passageway.

“Dahlia promised me that if she left, I could go along.”

My eyes rolled, impatience nipping at my heels. We needed to leave, and now. “And how was that going to work out for you if she chose the Otherworld?”

The slight shrug of Gabriella’s shoulder said it all—neither of them had put too much thought into the matter.

“Get out of my way,” I demanded.

Her arms stretched across the wooden frame, and her pupils widened. “If you leave without me, I will sound the alarm. You won’t get far with all the nations hunting you down.”

That wasn’t true. I could easily sift to just outside of the barrier of Faerie, as could Fin. It was Redmond who would be left behind, Redmond who would face the combined wrath of the nations.

“Every nation will be out for my head once they discover Dahlia is gone. If I take you along, it will mean war. Aiden will already be furious, but add in a kidnapped wife, and he will never stop fighting.”

“Like you said, he will already be furious. Might as well make it worth it. If you take Dahlia, the continent is already doomed,” she paused, raising a brow. “Think of it this way: you would be leaving me to die in a sinking ship. Will Dahlia be angrier if you take me, or leave me behind to suffer in the darkness? She could surely use the company in Faerie, couldn’t she?”

I groaned and slid my free hand down my face. Dahlia would be downright furious with me, but if she had a shoulder to lean on, a friend to confide in, her anger would lessen over time.

Hopefully.

Having a friend nearby would help ease the transition into Faerie. “Fine. You can come along for now, but if Aiden survives the wrath of that monster and tries to start a war, you will be returned to Cambriel.”

Her fists squeezed together with excitement, and the high-pitched squeal she released nearly burst my eardrums. She slid to the side, and I bumped around her, leading us through the passageway and to the courtyard.

“You won’t regret this,” she promised with an eager bounce to her step.

Little did she know, I already did.

I knew, deep within my bones, that I would come to regret everything I’d done on this night.

Chapter25

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