Page 15 of Abel

She simply nodded.“I know.”

“Whatever else is going on here, whatever it is that you and Nyc are keeping from me, I can handle it.I need you.You’re the only one who understands me, the only one who can handle my temper and my wolf.”

Esme’s face softened as she approached the bed.She sat down next to him and took his hand.“Abel, in my soul, you will always be my mate.But we both know that love isn’t always enough.I have responsibilities to my father, to my family, and to myself.You can’t change my mind.”

Abel squeezed her hand.“I know, but it doesn’t make it any easier, and I refuse to accept it.”

Esme leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips.“I wouldn’t expect anything less.But what you need, I can’t give you, and knowing that I can’t is more painful than anything Remus could do to me.”

“What does that even mean, just tell me.”

She pulled her hand from his and wiped away a single tear sliding down her cheek.“I can’t, I won’t leave you with that burden.”

He growled a warning, but she was already gone, the heavy oak door slamming shut with a resounding thud as his only answer.

CHAPTER8

The day draggedon with Abel and Nyc deep in conversation as Esme tried to soothe her father’s addled mind long enough to go over some family business.Everything was like the old days, before Abel had royally screwed up his life and turned on Esme for her father’s deeds.He was so relaxed, so at home here with them.

A servant entered the room and cleared his throat.“Mr.Carsidious is here.”

Abel’s good day came crashing down as the air of arrogance wafted through the air.Remus pushed past the servant, not even waiting for someone to call for him.The bastard’s eyes locked immediately on Abel, who was already on his feet with his wolf ready to burst out at any moment.

“Why are you here?”Remus asked.

Abel chuckled.“Haven’t you heard?I’m Esme’s escort for the wedding, filling in for her father, who is obviously unable to give her away.”

Remus rolled his eyes.“Nyctimus?Why aren’t you able to be at your sister’s side?”

Nyc didn’t even bother looking up.“Busy that day, bud.Maybe you should have checked my calendar before you set the date.”

Abel watched as Remus clearly tried to rein in his anger at being dismissed so casually.He adjusted his tie and nodded to Esme, “May I have a word in private?”

She hadn’t even paid him an ounce of attention since he walked in, and now the rage showed in her eyes.“Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of my family.”

“Fine, have it your way.”He took two steps towards her, but from the look on her face, Remus stopped his advancement and held up his hands.“You don’t have to be so hostile, my dear.”

Abel moved closer to her but kept a keen eye on his enemy.Esme’s father called for his doctor to take him to his room, and within minutes the four of them were alone in the King’s court.

She sighed.“Well, Remus?What do you want to talk about?”

“I just wanted to make sure we were still on the same page.”

“What page is that?”

“The wedding, you aren’t going to change your mind?”

Esme stepped towards him, shoulders back, confident, and without fear.Abel grinned with pride watching her.“You know I won’t or, better yet, you know I can’t.You tricked my father into a dirty deal and as long as I am unmated by the deadline, then my father forfeits his land to you unless I marry you.”She leaned in and growled.“In which case, you become king if something...”Esme bared her fangs at him.“Something happens to me.We are all clear on what the plan is.Is there anything else, my dear?”Every word dripped with malice.

He took a step back and laughed.“Good.I wouldn’t want anyone to jeopardize our agreement.”

“I severed my bond with Abel.You won.Now, you can leave.”

He turned and then stopped and scented the air.Narrowing his eyes on her, his body went rigid.“You slept with him.”

Esme shrugged.“I did.”

“How dare you,” he growled.

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