“You know what they’re like,” she insisted. “You know what they do. They will shred your credibility and destroy your reputation. You’ll be an outcast.”
The family had done it before. Business rivals, political opponents, officials who refused to be bought off. No one was safe from the reach of the Dubois. They would uncover every secret, reveal every skeleton hiding in the closet. Livelihoods gone up in smoke due to faulty wiring or sketchy tax documents.
Sure, the Dubois didn’t murder in cold blood, but once they finished with you, you’d wish you were dead either way.
“We have to toe the line,” Quin said, every syllable dissolving her tongue like acid. “We don’t have a choice now.”
“What about Glyma?” Waryn said, and another wave of sorrow bowled over her.
She hadn’t thought of Glyma, the loss too great to bear. Even if she took her mother’s offer to break things off with Waryn, she would still have to surrender Glyma. She could be with a woman, yes, but a woman of her mother’s choosing. And Glyma, a poor, no-name Succubus, bastard child to an unmarried mother from Lust? Claryn would burn the Pentagram down before she ever allowed Quin and Glyma to be together.
And Glyma wanted nothing to do with the Dubois; she’d made that clear early on.
No, Glyma would never be Quin’s, and Quin would never be Glyma’s. They’d been kidding themselves these past weeks, playing at something that could never be real.
“What about Glyma?” Quin said, voice hollow.
“Oh come off it, Quin,” Waryn said sharply. “You’re crazy about her, and she’s head-over-tail for you as well. I can see it clear as day.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
He gaped at her. “It doesn’t matter? You’re half in love with her already, and it doesn’t matter?”
“Howcanit matter? Please, Waryn, tell me!” Quin stood and started pacing, hands gesticulating violently. “Either I leave you, and my family demolishes every aspect of your life, and then I’m still destined to marry a woman I can’t even choose because you know my mother would never allow Glyma within fifty miles of the family. Or we marry each other and play house for my mother and the media, and then what? I ask Glyma to be my mistress? My side piece? Always behind closed doors. Always in secret. Stolen moments in cheap hotels?
“We could be with each other, but never together. What kind of life is that for her? For me? Even for you or any child we’re forced to bring into this godsforsaken dimension?” She choked on a dry sob. “How could I ask that of her, of you? How is that fair to anyone? It will only hurt.”
With an infuriatingly condescending smile, Waryn stood and captured her shoulders in his hands, halting her pacing. “There’s a third option, you know?”
Quin splayed her hands. “I’m all ears.”
“You could just be with her,” he said, and it was Quin’s turn to gape.
“What?”
“You could be with Glyma. Hang the engagement. Hang the plan. Hang your mother and the family and this whole godsdamned world you hate so much,” he said, shaking her gently like he was trying to rattle something loose. “You could leave this all behind, and be with the woman you want.”
“Leave?” she echoed, and he nodded without a hint of jest. “But I can’t.”
“Why not?” he asked in bewilderment.
She shook her head. “I would lose everything. We both would.”
“Firstly, stop worrying about me. I’m a big boy, and I can take care of myself, so leave me out of the equation for now. Secondly, what would you actually lose? Your business, your livelihood, isyour own. Your mother’s name is not on the bank accounts or the paperwork. Sure, this house isn’t entirely yours, per se, and did they buy you that car? I can’t remember, so maybe they’ll take it back. And the family will…” He winced at that. “Okay, yes, you’re sure to lose your inheritance. But by gods, Quin, imagine what you’ll gain.”
“But—”
“I have known you for three years, and in that time, I have come to adore you,” he said, cradling her face in his hands. “Your wit and intellect and the soft, gentle heart you try so hard to hide. But you have always kept yourself small and dim, to keep yourself from being noticed.
“And I know why you do. If you can keep yourself from being noticed, then your mother won’t see you. And if your mother doesn’t see you, then she can’t hurt you. I understand, darling, I do.” Tears flooded her vision, and Waryn smiled sadly. “But, Quin, when you’re with Glyma, you shine brighter than the fucking sun. I’ve seen it, the way you light up. And not just because ofher, but because you’ve always had it in you. It’s always been right here, and it’s always been yours.” He pressed a hand to her chest over her racing heart. “You just have to let yourself shine, darling. You’re worth it.”
She was crying now, tears rolling down her cheeks and catching on his thumbs. “My mother will never let me go. She’ll destroy everything. You. Me. Glyma, and the cafe.”
“Your mother’s petty, but she’s not that petty. Yes, she’ll drag our names through the mud, but do you actually care about any of it? Do you want to be welcomed in those circles?” She shook her head, and he swiped at her tears with his thumbs. “Then there you have it. Let her ruin your image. You’re not going to be around to care, are you? And as for Glyma, your mother won’t do anything. What would it gain her?”
“Revenge,” Quin said pathetically.
“Again, I just don’t think your mother’s that petty. But if you’re really worried, then at least tell Glyma everything and give her a chance to decide for herself. You’re standing here, acting noble with self-sacrifice, but what you’re really doing is taking away her choice in all this.” He patted her cheek a little too hard. “News flash, she may just choose you back.”
