Pharis’ jaw hardened.
“I need your glamour,” he said through gritted teeth. “That’s all it is.”
I nodded, bitter tears filling my eyes.
“Good luck with that. You might be able to keep me here, but you can’t force me to use my glamour. Do your own fear-detecting from now on, My Prince.”
The sun had disappeared below the horizon, and the temperature had plummeted. My bare skin and hair were wet. I was shaking at this point, my teeth chattering.
Pharis approached me slowly, peeling off his shirt and jacket. He wrapped them around me then turned and walked away without another word.
Once he was out of sight, his Sway released its grip on me.
Swearing under my breath, I dressed in my own clothing and shoes, leaving his jacket and shirt on the ground, then marched toward the house.
Pharis might have been lying, but I’d been telling the truth.
I. Was. Done.
Done helping him with whatever scheme he was cooking up.
Done with the maddening push and pull, the endless waiting for him to admit his feelings, the tiny portions of warmth and affection he doled out like sips of rare wine.
I’d already subsisted on a starvation diet once in my life. I refused to do it again, physically or emotionally.
Instead of going into the castle, I veered and walked around it then headed down the road leading away from it. I had no idea where it would take me once I left the estate, and I didn’t care.
As long as it was away from here and that exasperating man.
Maybe Iwouldreturn to the royal city after all. At least Stellon had known what he wanted.
Of course I had no idea which way to go or how far away it was. All I knew about the location of Stormcrest was that it was to the north of Merisola.
The temperature had continued to drop. The air was frigid now. And my hair was still damp.
I should have kept the jacket.
Regardless, a little cold wasn’t going to stop me. I’d brave whatever elements necessary to put some distance between me and Pharis.
The carriage path between his castle and the main road was much longer than I’d expected. By the time I reached the end of it, my legs were fatigued, and my fingers and toes were nearly frozen.
Hopefully there was a town nearby with an inn or even a nice barn where I could curl up in the hay and sleep till morning.
Before stepping onto the main road, I turned back to take a last look at Stormcrest in the moonlight.
All I saw was darkness. I must have been too far away already.
Just as well. I didn’t need a parting image to remind me of how much I’d miss this place.
Over these past few weeks, I’d fallen in love with its incredible library, and beautiful vistas, and the wonderful members of the household staff.
And with Pharis.
Who was I kidding? I’d fallen for him long ago. Which was why I had to leave.
If he was even capable of love, he refused to give it. Or accept it.
AndIcouldn’t accept living in limbo forever.
