He clearly has.
* * *
Two Months Post Intended Wedding Day
“I need to leave,”I say to Theo and Katla as I sit in front of them.
Ever since I’ve heard about Keller the Fisherman, I haven’t been able to get my mind off it. I haven’t been able to think of anything else. And with each passing day, as I walk through the palace with Lara by my side, my strength growing with each step, I see Keller everywhere.
His bedroom down the hall.
The stairs where he once carried me up on the way to my room.
My bedroom where he fucked me on every surface.
It’s playing over and over in my head, and I can’t take it anymore.I feel so suffocated.
So I made a decision last night.
I have to leave.
Theo’s eyes grow wide with concern as Katla sets her teacup down on the saucer in her hand. “Leave?” she asks. “Like, go back to the United States?”
I can see how they’d take that, so I reassure them. “No, this is my home.” They both visibly relax. I learned a lot about Torskethorpe from Keller. I learned the traditions and expectations of being queen, too. Just because he fled his responsibilities—betrayed me—doesn’t mean I should do the same. I refuse to abandon what I was brought here for. I refuse to bow to his cowardice. “But I need to get out of Strombly. I need a change of scenery. I need a second to breathe.”
Theo nods in understanding. “Where would you like to go?”
“I don’t know,” I say. “I just need to get out of here. And please, not to Harrogate.”
“We wouldn’t send you there,” Theo says.
“You know,” Katla chimes in. “I was speaking to Pala last night, and she said if you ever wanted to visit, they would love to host you in Marsdale. Is that something that would interest you?”
Marsdale? With my cousins? With the woman who reminded me so much of my mom?Yes.That might be exactly what I need.
I vaguely recall the day they left Strombly. They each came in and kissed my forehead, but it’s Pala’s words I recall more clearly. They were the same words she’d said the day she’d arrived. Words to encourage me.
“Everything will be fine, sweet Lilly. You’re not alone.”
On that day, I’d felt very much alone. So cold. So sad. So angry. And as much as I could, I’d tried to latch on to her words, to feel desperately needed comfort. Perhaps spending time with Pala and my cousins is just what my broken heart needs. I just hope Theo and Katla don’t feel disappointed in my need to leave Torskethorpe.
“Yes,” I say breathlessly, the idea taking root quickly. “If you don’t mind me going for a little while. Would Isabella and Marit be there?”
“Of course. I know they’d love to show you around. I can set it up if you’d like.”
“I’d love that,” I say, the idea feeling very right in my mind. When they were here, I bonded as if they were my own sisters, so spending more time with them feels like just what I need.
It would help me get my mind off Keller.
I could maybe find some joy again.
To get a reset.
I could also learn more about being queen, because that’s my duty to Torskethorpe.
Yes, this might be exactly what I need.
ChapterTwenty
