Numbness stole over me.
I’m never going home.
I’m never going to see my family again.
Evander’s voice broke into my thoughts. “Come along, my little Lemmikki.”
I turned my head mutely to Theo for a translation, and his hands clenched into fists. “It means pet,” he spat out.
Pet.
Pet?
His pet?
Absolutely the stars-damned-hell not.
Anger broke through my disbelief, and I glared at Evander. “I am not your anything, least of all your pet. And I will come after I’ve said my goodbyes. It’s the least you can do.”
He raised his eyebrows in mock offense, though there was a bitter edge to his expression. “The least I can do? After I already rescued you from your reluctant nuptials. I believe I’ll add ungrateful to your lengthy list of flaws.”
My lips parted in fury. Eavesdropping bastard. Before I could form a response, he spoke again.
“Very well. Fifteen minutes, but stay where I can see you.” His mouth formed a cruel smile. “Never let it be said that I am not…accommodating.”
His use of that word felt intentional, like all of his words, a sharply honed dagger thrown with precise, unfailing aim. My heart beat a furious rhythm within my chest, and my vision was swimming. This was all happening too fast.
Clamping my hand around Theo’s wrist, I dragged him away before he could change his mind and go after Evander after all. It would have been tempting, were it not for the consequences if Theo won.
And the fact that, after seeing them spar, I wasn’t entirely sure that he would.
When we were out of earshot, though still under Evander’s spiteful gaze, I finally stopped. Theo turned, cupping my face in his warm hands.
It was an effort not to lean into his touch and let him comfort me. All of that was about to be ripped away, though, and I needed to brace myself.
“I won’t say goodbye to you. This isn’t over,” he said. “I will find a way to get you out of this. And when the mountain pass opens, I will send word to your father.”
My heart dropped into my stomach. Da’ would never let this stand. Ever. After everything, there would still be a war because of me.
But it wasn’t like I could stop him from finding out, either.
“Promise me, you’ll take care of Davin, and get him home safely. Our family can’t handle losing us both.” My voice broke on that last word.
All the times I had worried what the Summit would decide, it had felt far away and not quite real. Now, Evander had come along with an entirely different fate, and it might be worse than death.
“They are not losing you, and neither am I. We will find a way, I promise.” Theo’s arms came around me, his lips crushing against mine.
After everything I told myself before, I caved and allowed myself a single moment to sink into him, to accept the comfort of his words and his warmth and the promises we both knew he couldn’t keep.
Then I abruptly backed away, blinking away the tears that had formed in my eyes.
“Tell my family—” I stopped. There were so many things I wanted to say to them, but nothing that felt like nearly enough. “Just tell them that I love them. And that I’m sorry. For all of this.”
If I stayed with him another moment, I would break down, and I’d be damned if I let Evander see me that way. With one final squeeze of Theo’s hand, I moved to leave.
