Page 73 of Fated to be Enemies

“No.” She yanked a drawer open, grabbing items and tucking them into her arms. Whirling around, she pointed her finger toward me. “Get away from me. I’ve had enough of Markus explaining to me why he’s an asshole. Do me a favor and save me from listening to the same excuses.”

Indignation lit a fire in me. “Do not compare me to Markus.”

“If the shoe fits, Elias.” She turned, walking toward the bedroom door. After snapping her fingers, Nova jumped up, trotting to her side.

“Where are you going?” I demanded, heading in her direction.

“I’m going to take a long bath somewhere far away from you and this room,” she said, looking at me over her shoulder. “Want me to leave you a note?” Before I could answer, she slammed the door, knocking over the unlit candles that sat on a table near the exit.

I pounded my fist on the wooden frame, a part of me knowing that she’d heard it and I was only making things worse. That better judgment was overridden by pure emotion. Anger. Hurt. Fear. Things I didn’t want to admit.

All of it was my fault. I’d put her in this situation. I’d made the deal with her. She was just another pawn to piss off Mathis. A way for me to make my life uncomplicated by some mate bond that would skew my vision and alter my priorities. Turned out having a fake mate was no different in that regard. Arguably worse because I felt something for her that I couldn’t take back, and the feeling wasn’t exactly mutual.

It was okay. It was the deal I’d made, and one we would live with.

For now, I had to weed out the traitors in my House and bring Mathis down. That was my endgame. I didn’t know if Mathis was using Danni to instill fear so I would make a mistake. I didn’t know if he wanted to try to use her against me, or if he simply wanted to kill her for his own pleasure, and in doing so, he figured it was a two-for-one deal. I’d be hurt in the end no matter what.

He wouldn’t get the chance.

I would do anything to keep her safe, even if she ended up hating me for it.

CHAPTER 21

Dannika

Two days.

Two days we hadn’t spoken to each other. Two days of leaving passive aggressive notes whenever I went to the bathroom, went for a walk, or looked for a hairbrush. Two days of me going to sleep before he came to our room in the early morning hours. Two days of ignoring each other in every way possible. Two days of what felt like hell.

I picked up a pebble between my thumb and forefinger, rolled it around, then dropped it on the ground again. Nova watched me play with the rocks, keeping me company and soothing me with her presence. The nearby waterfall’s rhythmic sound filled the air with a calming effect.

In an effort to be alone and clear my thoughts, I hiked to the waterfall. It wasn’t my best idea. Looking around, it just reminded me of Elias when he’d followed me that first time. When I’d pretended I didn’t know how to skip stones, hoping he’d touch me. When he’d kissed me, and I’d kissed him in return.

I couldn’t understand how I’d misread the situation to such a great extent. When I looked at the tree, imagining my back up against it, him pressing into me—I wasn’t making that up. That moment had felt real. He’d even said so, hadn’t he? Now I wasn’t sure if I’d just made it up because I wanted it to be true. Because something had happened between then and now that I had missed.

He’d embarrassed me, shamed me, and made me feel like he was putting me on a leash. I didn’t think I’d overreacted, but I’d never know. It was over and done with. That wasn’t even the part that hurt me the most. It was when I tried to tell him I had what Adora called “a case of the feelings” and he’d cut me off, telling me it was business. Nothing more.

I’d just wanted to say that it wasn’t so terrible that some of those things came out of my mouth. I did want him. I wanted more of him. Maybe the heat had just given me the courage to say things I really felt. I’d dreamed in my haze that he’d said the same types of things, but it had been just that. A dream.

A sound on the trail startled me, and Nova turned her head, perking her ears up. A glimmer of excitement shot through me. I’d left a note telling Elias I was at the waterfall. The hope for him to come for me was embarrassing, and I was thankful I didn’t have to confess that to anyone.

Nova huffed loudly, rolling her eyes, and dropped her face on her paws.

Markus held his hand up in a mock surrender, and that ember of hope flickered out. “I come in peace,” he said, almost like a question, a lopsided smile on his face.

“Did you follow me again?” I asked, sighing in disappointment.

“I did,” he admitted. “I won’t stay long. I just had a few things I wanted to tell you.”

I frowned, waving him over. “I’m not good company right now, so I hope you’re not looking for riveting conversation.”

He kneeled beside me, sitting down and crossing his legs. “I’ve never been good company to you. Can’t expect a lot in return there, can I?”

Nova watched him with suspicion, not liking his proximity to me.

I jerked my head up, meeting his gaze and taking in his form. His hair wasn’t styled, but it was clean. He looked tired, but not sick. Just like he needed more rest. In a stark contrast, his skin looked healthier somehow. What threw me off guard was his eyes. They weren’t pinched at the corners. They were doe-like. Sincere.

“What did you want to talk about?” I asked, unsure of what his change in demeanor meant.

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