Silence stretches between us.
“You won’t even tell me?” I croak. “You’d rather keep his secrets than tell your mate?”
“That’s not—” She cuts herself off again, wrapping herself tighter.
“I can tell you’re outraged right now. I’m trying not to push you into doing anything you’ll regret later.”
Something I’d regret?Does she think I’d hurt her?
I reach for her hand, but she flinches away.
The realization guts me.
I’m terrifying her. The one person in all my years I swore I’d never frighten. And here I am—fangs bared, claws out, over twice her size.
“Lumi,” My voice cracks. “Do you think I would?—”
I can’t even finish the question. Acid rolls through my chest.
“I would never, ever hurt you,” the words come out barely above a whisper. “No matter what you tell me. No matter what happened.Never.”
I drop to my knees, trying to make myself as small as possible. Anything to appear less threatening
She eyes me warily before her gaze falls back to the water. Clearly, she still isn’t convinced it’s safe to tell me.
“Look at me, Saelûn. Please”
Her eyes lift slowly.
“It really wasn’t you?" she whispers.
“No,” I choke out.
“What did he sound like?” I ask, keeping my voice controlled. “The voice, how similar was it to mine?”
“Itwasyour voice, Andrik,” she swallows. “Even some of the vraksûn words you use. He called me Saelûn, talked about my heat... said he wanted to help.”
My jaw clenches so hard a tooth cracks.It has to be some kind of dark magic.
“Did he say anything that didn’t sound like me?”
Her eyes dart away, and she backs to the opposite side of the tub.
“Can—” Her voice trembles. “Can you go over there before I tell you?” She points to the furthest wall.
Her request hits me like a physical blow.
She needsdistancefrom me to feel safe enough to speak.
I swallow hard and nod once.
I move to the wall she indicated, pressing my back firmly against the cool wood, as far as this small room allows.
“Okay,” I rasp. “I’m here. Tell me.”
“There were things...” she breaks off. “Things that were different. The way you—he touched me with his voice.”
“What does that mean?”
