I watched as she swallowed and debated what to say. “Why? Bruno is not equipped to be with someone. I would blame it on Shelby having a fit many moons ago, but it was all my mother. She forced him to end his engagement with her, and he had no other choice. I’ve experienced Ezza’s sheer ruthlessness firsthand, and she is like an ice pick tearing into soft flesh on a good day. You don’t want that or him. He’s broken because of it.”
Closing her eyes, she spoke. “I do only want him. I love him. I’ve always felt this way since I was a little girl. And on New Year’s, I stopped at his place to wish him a good year—”
I couldn’t help but interrupt. “Prim! You did not!”
She smiled like the cat who ate the canary. “Anyway, I know this is weird because he is your brother, but he asked me in for a cocktail. And, well, one drink led to a few more. It was the most blissful night and morning I’ve ever had.”
I reached out to take her hand in mine but she pulled back.
“I will not allow you to touch me. If you take the pain, it will stop me from remembering what I want. So, it’s a no. I love you too, as my closest friend, but you cannot fix this. I’m going to.”
I wanted to admit how much I admired her for going after the man she wanted, paying no mind to the roadblocks in front of her—starting with their age difference and ending with my mother—but I didn’t. If I did, I would have to explain why. How I fell in love with someone also not attainable. How my heart suffered, and there was no way to shirk the feeling.
Instead, I muttered, “Okay, but no more details of that night. Sheesh, I cannot listen to that.”
Prim gifted me with a soft giggle. She gulped more tea, and I walked back to my chair and my cooled latte.
“You know, there were some rumors that you and Donovan had a thing.” She spoke to my back, and when I turned, she mirrored my raised eyebrow expression.
“Who said that?” I tried to keep my tone even and expression schooled.
“It was just a rumor. When Donovan returned, he was completely agitated and gone for someone to go help you. He practically dragged the human—”
“Valerie,” I corrected my friend. “Blake’s mom.”
“He spent about twenty-four hours scowling at everyone but his niece. And then, from what I heard, he toldValerieit was enough, you needed help, and they were not going to send anyone until she left. I don’t know what he promised her, but when he grabbed her hand, she went with him to the plane.”
“Well, none of that has to do with me.” I shielded my face with my oversized mug. “I did need help. It was nice of him to advocate for me. And truthfully, the help wasn’t that helpful. A day late and a dollar short, if you know what I mean.”
“I know. Really, I’m glad you are alive, and healed as much as you are. I’m only warning you that after Donovan left, there was a groundswell. You know Rubian imaginations run rampant. There was speculation that you two fell for one another. Cinder denied it, and Ceci put an end to all the whispering.”
“That’s good” was my response. More than anything, I wanted this conversation to end.
“Emelee held back the tears, especially when Donovan took Valerie home. When he came back a second time, Ceci met him and explained he would be married by next Christmas. Emelee appeared out of nowhere, and Ceci furnished a ring to give her.”
I couldn’t believe none of this information made its way to me.
Standing, I took my empty cup to the sink, busying my hand, trying to keep any tremors at bay. “Wow,” I admitted. “I didn’t know any of this.”
I turned back toward Prim, and she hurriedly looked away. “Most are now considering you a sympathizer with the human—Valerie. You are not considered to be in the inner circle.”
I wanted to saygood, but I held back.
“I care for Blake,” I explained instead.
Like taking my next breath, I did and didn’t want to know about Donovan and Emelee.
“Yes, she is a sweet little thing. I get why Donovan was so in love too. Not just because she is his niece. Anyway, a fight broke out when Donovan returned home and Ceci had moved Emelee into his quarters. And he left…and hasn’t been back since.”
All of it was too much for my heart to bear. I longed to share sushi and feel his green gaze on me. There was only so much I could imagine his touch.
The sad reality settled in my veins. I’d either never see him again, or if I did, he would be living with Emelee. Both options made my body burn with rage and pain, and I wondered if this would be what finally broke me.
Maybe, I hoped.
Donovan
“Look what I can do!”
