Olwen laughed and stood from the chair. “You don’t believe that.”
He didn’t. Neve would know if she left the world. Wouldn’t he?
“She must pay.” She had to pay for her crimes. For making him believe that she cared. For making him care. For wrapping herself around his hearts and then breaking them.
“Yes, she does. Just make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. Love is tricky.”
“I do not love her.”Another lie.
“Keep telling yourself that.” Olwen chuckled and walked to the entrance of the tent. “Maybe you’ll start believing it.”
Neve glared at the tent flap long after his friend had left, breathing hard.
Olwen was wrong. He had to be wrong.
He couldn’t afford to love her. Could not be bound to a devious human.
It would be too tragic.
Neve would not survive such an event.
They both wouldn’t.
Chapter Twenty
Dahlia
The tavernmiraculously survived the initial attack, other than the back door, which had been destroyed by a massive rock. One that had almost taken Dahlia’s life.
Lia wiped the counter absently as she stared at the old doorway. It was partially blocked by the chunk of stone, but there was just enough room that she could squeeze outside in a pinch. It took a bit of wiggling, but it was better than having no escape route.
Speaking of which . . .
She scanned the area, trying not to wince at the number of Loriian warriors filling the large rectangular tavern. It was an unfortunate happenstance that the bar had become the main hub for extracurricular activities, worsened by the fact that it had snowed constantly for almost two weeks.
She’d managed to stay hidden a month since the initial attack.
The entrance door swung open, and she dipped her head down, letting her dyed black hair cover her face. Lia tried notto panic as they took their cloaks off. The tension between her shoulders relaxed when the faces that greeted her weren’t familiar.
Her heart raced in her chest, and Lia inhaled deeply.
Calm down. Don’t let them scent your fear. Or your paranoia.
Dahlia scrubbed the counter harder. It was only a matter of time before someone recognized her or Loshika. It was a bloody miracle that they’d managed to stay undetected for the last four weeks with the Loriian army crawling through town.
The one that scared her the most was Bacti.
She’d seen the lavender snake flirting with Jaiix two weeks ago, and Lia had almost run screaming from the building. Even now, she could feel the phantom touch of his fingers wrapped around her neck as he whispered threats in her ear. He knew about Cosmos. What he knew exactly was unclear. But he would be a problem. Luckily, he’d only visited the tavern once while Dahlia was working.
Raised voices shook Lia out of her mind, and she sought out the root of the problem.
A drunk Loriian warrior tossed his cards at the local halfling’s face. His sky-blue skin darkened in anger. “You cheated!”
The halfling Skese clenched his hands into fists. “I did not! You’re a sore loser.”
The owner of the tavern—a grouchy giantess named Diaz—strolled toward their table and propped her hands on her generous hips. She glared at the two men. “You’re not starting a brawl in my establishment, are you?”
Skese knew better than to mess with Diaz. “No, my lady.”
