That’s debatable,Pharis said.And youneverloved her the way I do.In fact I’m more convinced than ever that you’re under a love spell.
Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better,I said.I love Raewyn more than anything. Even knowing she had to have been killed by the dragon, I had my troops scouring the countryside for months looking for her.
Despite his wounds, Pharis chuckled.
That’s the difference between us, brother,he said.You sent your troops out to find her for you. If she had been mine, I would have been out there myself, ripping the world apart, hunting down and slaying every dragon in existence until I found her.
I scowled and spit in Pharis’ direction. “I should slayyouright here and now.”
“Please don’t,” Raewyn said, moving in front of him again.
Grabbing her hand, I pulled her to my side.
“Out of deference to the wishes of my kind-hearted fiancee, I will let you go,” I told my brother. “But you are no longer welcome in this kingdom.”
“That’s just fine. Perhaps I’ll form one of my own,” Pharis said.
“You speak treason to me, even after I have spared you?” I demanded. “You are banished, do you hear me? I want you to leave and never set foot on my lands again.”
“With pleasure,” Pharis gave me a facetious bow.
Holding out his hand to Raewyn, he said, “Come on, Wildcat. Let’s get out of here.”
I wrapped an arm around my bride’s shoulders, clamping her to my side.
“Raewyn isn’t going anywhere. We are getting married tonight.”
Squirming to free herself from my grasp, she took a step away from me. She blinked and shook her head as if just waking up from a deep sleep.
“Firebug?” I asked.
She took another step away, but not toward Pharis. She simply looked at his extended hand as if trying to discern what it meant.
“You brought me back here,” she said to him. “Yousentme to your brother.”
Wait, what? He’dbroughther here?
“I shouldn’t have,” Pharis said. “I was wrong. This isn’t the place for you after all. And Stellon isn’t the man.”
“He kidnapped you,” I reminded Raewyn, my tone rising in desperation.
“You told me that the whole time you were with him, all you wanted was to escape and get back to me.”
“I compelled her to think that and say that,” Pharis said. “And still, look where we are.”
After a pause he said, “Inevitable.”
“Raewyn will be happier with me,” I said. “I am the King.”
“She washappywith me… and getting happier all the time,” Pharis said with a suggestive lift of his brow.
Raewyn and I both scoffed in offense.
She pressed her palms to her temples and wrapped her fingers around her head. “I don’t know what to think. I’m so confused. My head is all a jumble.”
“Stop compelling her,” I demanded. “Can’t you see she’s distressed?”
Pharis raised his hands. “I’m not. I’m through with all that. Raewyn will get nothing but honesty from me for the rest of eternity. Can you say the same?”
