“Then we’ll have to visit often,” Lucky says, surprising me with a smile.“And while I hope you will never be scared while you’re with me, I know a few great hiding places of my own that I’d be willing to share with you.”
I want to like him.I think I already do, but nothing new can survive in the shadow of my feelings for Sterling, and I have one night left to rid myself of them.
I owe it to myself to try.
“I’m …”Speechless.“Thank you,” I say, caught off guard by how little I dislike him.
Sterling was right; he’s lovely, so why don’t I feel any better?
* * *
I skip dinner.
Louis will be intolerably angry, but I don’t care.I’m only here for two more nights, and then it won’t matter.He won’t have to worry about me anymore.No one will.
I’ve decided I won’t wait.The prince isn’t a bad man; in fact, he is warm and rather sweet.I could even see myself falling for him one day.The worst thing I could say about him, if I had to choose anything at all, is that he’s perhaps too friendly.
That’s not why I’m leaving.
Something twists in my stomach—part hunger, part frustration.I throw another dress into my satchel.It won’t be enough; nothing will be.I could fit everything in this room into this bag, and I still wouldn’t be leaving with the one thing I want.
I don’t mean to disappear for long, but I need to think.One night in the cottage will be enough to purge these painful feelings.
I step into the hallway …
Straight into Sterling’s arms.
“What’s that?”He’s looking down at my bag.
“You know what it is.”
“No.”
I gape.“You can’t stop me.”
“You’re not running.”
“Why not?You did.”
I’ve never had a reason to believe he ran from Chance, but he flinches, and I know I’m right.
“This isn’t about me.”
Of course he’d think that.
“It haseverythingto do with you.”He opens his mouth to speak, but I won’t let him; I can’t.“No.You sing the prince’s praises, and yet you won’t tell me why or how you know this about him.I know you have a past, Sterling, one you keep hidden from me, but unless you can convince me to choose a loveless life, I can’t stay here.I thought you’d understand.I thought—hoped really—that you might choose me as I choose you.”
“Of course I—” He pauses.“Can’t you trust me?”
“I’ve done nothing but trust you since the day you arrived, asking my brother to join the guard.I requested you specifically.”
His expression changes.“And I am grateful for every minute we’ve had together.”
“Then why won’t you let me tell you?”I step closer than I ever have before, past the boundaries I’ve held myself to for so long.Close enough to touch, as I’ve longed to.“You’re not a fool, Sterling—we both know that.You must know—you have to,” I whisper, hearing my own desperation, but this is my last chance.For years, I’ve held my feelings at bay, never sure of their return, fearful of heartbreak.
Footsteps echo down the cold hallway, too many to be an accident.No doubt Louis has sent more people to find me.
“I love you.I don’t remember when I started, only that it has grown deeper with every day.I know you don’t feel the same way, but I can’t pretend any longer.I have to leave here, and I can’t carry this with me anymore.”
