“I know,” I whisper, watching the ice settle over her features. “I know, and I’m sorry.”
“But the kingdom needed you more than I did. So I can’t fault you for that.”
“It’s no excuse, but I didn’t know what else to do. I just wanted this place—wanted you—to be safe. I didn’t want Derek’s death to be for nothing.”
“It’s not that you left, it’s that you didn’t take me with you!” she shouts, bursting through the royal mold that keeps her voice, her actions, her manners in check. For the first time, I see her for what she truly is.
A scared, hurt female with this undeniable rage bubbling inside her.
Looks eerily familiar.
“I was alone. Wondering why, wondering if I’d ever see any of you again.” She scoffs. “You think I’mupsetthat you went to Hyrax? That you tried to stop Kylian before he could do his worst? You think I’m upset that Jace came to rescue you? I would have never forgiven him if he hadn’t!”
Her words hang in the air as we stare each other down. I drop the cloaks and throw my arms around her. She stiffens but doesn’t fight. I keep holding.
One more second.
There.
Sorscha cracks, arms threading around me as her tears mingle with the water droplets clinging to my neck.
“I’m sorry,” I murmur against her hair.
“I was alone,” she sobs, her words barely audible. “Why does everyone shut me out? I’m not some delicate piece of glass in danger of shattering. I’m tired of being protected. I’m tired of being cloistered and babied andleft.”
I pull back to cup her cheeks. “I promise you, it will never happen again. I will do whatever I can to make this right. You’re my sis—my friend. And I care about you more than you could possibly imagine.”
“I believe you, cousin.”
“You do know we’re not actually cousins, right?” I laugh through the tears. She smiles, and for a second, she’s herself again.
“You may not be my actual cousin, but I do not believe that blood chooses family for us.”
I joltawake to the sound of a loud crash.
My heart thunders as a dark figure barrels through my door and slams straight into the back of the leather chair.
“Shit.”
I leap out of bed, sparking the candles on my nightstand with a flick of my fingers.
“Jace?”
“Hello, little witch.” He straightens, and I get an eyeful of his disheveled hair, glazed, hooded eyes, and vacant expression. He’s practically swaying on his feet.
Drunk off his ass.
“What are you doing here?”
“No Zadyn tonight?” He slumps down on the window seat as I pour him a glass of water.
“Not tonight.” I refrain from saying,he’s giving me space so I can sort out my feelings for the both of you.
“I hate to admit this, but he’s not a bad male.”
“You’re just now realizing this?” I hand him the water, and he glances up at me.
“I still don’t like him, but if I have to lose you to anybody, at least it’s to someone I know would die for you too.”
