Page 60 of A Clash of Stars

“I’m sorry, Clara. I just…can’t let you in yet.”

I went to speak, but I heard footsteps on my stairs when I did. My eyes widened with concern. All Evander did was smirk.

I left the bathroom and entered my room when I saw him.

Madok. His eyes locked onto mine, but he didn’t notice my marking or lack of clothing.

“Clara, I am so sorry I left you in the courtyard today. I should have never done that. I had so much I wanted to say, but I couldn’t. You are everything to me, and I—” He stopped mid-sentence. That’s when I realized that half-dressed Evander had walked up behind me.

Madok’s eyes flashed between the two of us when he saw it. My inamorato marking. Madok looked to the ground before turning to leave.

“Madok, wait! Don’t leave. We should talk,” I word vomited.

He looked back at me, and I could feel Evander’s stare into the back of me.

A deep voice said, “I gave you time to win her over. That time is over now. She is mine.”

My eyes widened at Evander’s statement.

“You know that you aren’t her inamorato, yet you chose to brand her that way, Evander,” Madok growled.

I was taken aback. What did he mean by branding me in that way? I thought the only way to have this was if the fates established it at the beginning of time.

Madok went to speak again, but just as quickly as he entered, he left.

Chapter 16

“What did he mean by that, Evander? That you branded me although I’m not your inamorato?” I asked with great uncertainty.

“Clara, he doesn’t know what he is talking about. He is just disappointed that he was wrong in his vision,” he sighed, still standing behind me.

The tears wouldn’t stop flowing down my cheeks. Ev’s hands pulled my body around to face him, and he pulled me into his chest and let me cry. His hands rubbed my back and comforted me.

“It’s okay to be upset, Clara. I know Madok means a lot to you, and eventually, he will come around to the idea of you and me together.”

Between my sobs, “I am exhausted. It has been a very long day.”

I stepped back from him and walked toward the bed. I crawled into it as Evander came to sit by me. His hand reached out and brushed my hair gently away from my face.

“Would you like me to stay or leave?” he asked tenderly.

My eyes flickered to his as I contemplated his offer.

“I think it would be best for me to be alone tonight,” I answered him remorsefully.

His eyes responded with recognition, and he stood to leave. Once he reached the staircase, he turned back to look at me and said, “If you need me, you know how to find me.” With one final smile, he descended the stairs.

Once I heard the door open and close behind him, leaving my seaside home, I was overcome with emotions. I ran through the day’s events but knew I needed to rest. I finally got comfortable enough to close my eyes and fall into a deep sleep.

The castle was dark, and many voices with music flowed throughout the room. I could see the dresses, the jewels, and dancing in small portions. I wondered where I was and why I was there.

Looking around, I spotted Evander sitting on his throne with a woman I had never seen before. She sat on his lap as he pressed soft kisses into her shoulder.

His eyes spotted mine.

I woke up sweating and angry. What the abyss could that mean? I’m going to wring his neck when I see him. Ha. He is going to think I’m crazy, but maybe I am. Less than twenty-four hours after finding my mate, he’s already cheating in my dreams.

I tried calming my thoughts and knew I had to leave the house. I quickly got dressed and started my walk into the city. I didn’t care to tell anyone where I was or what I was doing because I didn’t know the answer. My mind led me to the one place I knew I would be safe.

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