Page 60 of King of Death

“Well he’s obviously doing something wrong for you to be feeling like this,” she snapped.

My expression grew cold as I fixed my eyes on her and took a threatening step closer, a muscle in my jaw ticking. “Watch how you speak about him, Sanya. We may be acquaintances now, but I will not allow you to speak poorly of him. Ever. Do you understand me?”

“Alright,” she said evenly, holding up her hands and taking a step back. “I have no ill will towards the king, Prince Lonan. But you are my friend. Not an acquaintance—my friend. You are who I worry about. Who I want to see happy.”

Heat rose in my cheeks, making me shift on my feet. After clearing my throat, I muttered, “Just Lonan is fine.”

Her kind face split into a wide grin. “Alright. Lonan. Don’t tell me you’re starting to actually like me.”

“Alright, I won’t,” I muttered, looking down at my sword. I couldn’t stop myself from asking, “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do you… Why did you try so hard to befriend me?”

When Sanya didn’t speak, I reluctantly looked up. Her brows were pinched.

“Because I like you, Lonan. I think you’re a good person who has been made to do terrible things. I think you deserve happiness just as much as anyone else. And I think you deserve more than you are currently being offered.” Her voice hardened. “Especially now, knowing what is waiting for you. I saw you out here, day after day, mostly alone. I didn’t like it. And I could see how… helpless you felt. You said it yourself,” she added quickly when I opened my mouth to protest. “But you’re not helpless. You’re choosing to be. You said you wanted a choice. You have one. Take it.”

I let out a shaky breath. “But Ash—”

“The king will understand. He knows what you need to do. And if he doesn’t understand, then…” Sanya pursed her lips with a slight shrug. “That tells you everything.”

“He’s not trying to keep me here forever. He’s not trying to stop me from becoming king.” The words burned my throat, because I wasn’t sure whether I truly believed them or not. “He’s just asking for more time. Time for us to prepare. Time for us to be together first.”

“Together on his terms.”

I shot her a warning glance. “Careful.”

“I apologise.” She didn’t sound like she meant it. “But more time for what? Why does he want to delay it? Is he scared of losing you?”

“He would never lose me.”

“Then is he scared of you not needing him anymore?”

“I will always need him,” I snarled.

“Lonan…” Sanya took a step closer. “The king’s intentions may be good. He may think he is acting in your best interests, protecting you, keeping you safe. That doesn’t mean it’s not harming you. Because it is.”

My pulse sped up as I parted my lips to speak. Voice barely above a whisper, I said, “I know.”

“I don’t want you to go, but you have to.” Sanya reached out to squeeze my shoulder, making me stiffen. Her fingers were strong and calloused, and for some reason, the touch grounded me. “You can’t stay here. You have to go.”

“I know,” I said again.

“You have to talk to him.”

“I’ve tried.”

“Try again. One more time. And if he still won’t listen…” She let go and stepped back, lifting her chin. “I will help you.”

Even entertaining the idea felt like a betrayal to Ash. Would I just leave? I couldn’t do that to him. I couldn’t.

I would try to talk to him again. I had to. And I had to pray that he would agree with me this time.

Sanya was right. I couldn’t stay here anymore.

Chapter Eighteen

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