They hate me. The first step was intended to make Lilly believe I didn’t want her. But why not just kill her? If they want the throne, that’s the most logical tactic. Why are they keeping me alive?How does that work to their advantage?
And who are their contacts at the palace?
Once again, there’s a mole. But who?
ChapterTwenty-Four
LILLY
Next to his nightstand, the dim yellow glow casts a shadow over Theo’s face as he rests in his bed.
“He’s sleeping,” I whisper to Katla. “I don’t want to disturb him.”
“He said the moment you returned he wanted to speak to you.” Katla encourages me to step forward. “Please, dear, he wants to see you.”
The entire flight home from Marsdale, I was dreading this, having to see Theo. I was worried what he might look like, how sick he might be, and from a brief glimpse, I can tell he’s lost some weight, which is concerning. I tried to ask Katla how he was as we walked up to his room, but all she said was tired and excited to see me.
So I’m truly in the dark here.
Katla gives me a pat on the shoulder and then closes the door behind me, startling Theo awake.
He glances over at the door, and when he spots me, his face lights up. “My darling, Lilija,” he says, reaching his arm out.
My emotions get the best of me, hearing his comforting voice, and as I step up to him, tears careen down my cheeks.
“No, my dear, please don’t cry.”
“I’m sorry,” I say as I sit next to him on his bed. “I just . . . I didn’t know you were sick. I’d have come back sooner.”
“Stop it.” He waves me off as he sits up in his bed. I help him prop his pillows behind him and make sure he’s comfortable. “I’m glad you went to Marsdale. Did you have fun?”
“I did,” I answer. “I love Isabella and Marit. They were just what I needed.”
“Good.” He squeezes my hand. “And how do you feel about Keller?”
“Probably how you think I feel about him. Angry. Hurt. Confused.” Especially now knowing that he hasn’t even reached out to Lara to see how I’m doing. Something doesn’t sound right about that, but clearly, I didn’t know Keller as well as I thought I did. I honestly didn’t think him capable of such betrayal...and then to simply not give a shit about me.And the anger is back.
He nods. “All valid reactions to the situation.”
Feeling like I can open up finally, I say, “I just don’t get it. I don’t understand any of it. He told me he’d see me down the aisle, that we were getting married, that I was his forever. I just don’t understand what changed overnight. What made him have such a one-eighty. And then go completely silent?” I shake my head. “I don’t understand.”
“I’ve been asking myself the same questions,” Theo says. “I can’t fathom a moment when Keller would do this. The only thing that makes me believe he’d do such a thing would be to protect you.”
“What do you mean?”
Theo tugs on his beard and says, “I’ve been running through scenarios with Ottar, and our only possible conclusion is that he knew if the wedding didn’t go through, then the threats we’ve been receiving wouldn’t happen. Therefore, he was protecting you.”
“Protecting me?” I ask, anger curdling deep in my stomach. “That’s not protecting me. That’s crushing my very soul. I didn’t need a hero. I needed a husband.”
“I’m not saying that’swhat he thought,” Theo says. “But I also can’t think of any other reasoning. But even with that reasoning, he should have talked to me, talked to Ottar before making that decision for everyone.”
“And why make me believe we were getting married? It makes no sense. And also, not to have any communication with anyone afterward? As if we wouldn’t care to hear from him? I know I’m not the only one hurting here. You and Katla, Ottar . . . Lara. Even Henrik. This has hurt all of us.”
“It has,” Theo says as he leans his head against the headboard. “It has truly taken a toll on my emotional health. I can’t stand knowing that he’s left us under circumstances that could have been controlled. I hate that he’s out there, somewhere, alone. I hate that you have been hurt so bad it might be beyond repair.” His eyes water up. “Will you even let yourself love again?”
My heart thumps heavily in my chest as I scoot closer. “Of course,” I say. “Of course, I’ll love again. I think it might take some time, but I’ll get there.”
He swipes at his eyes, then closes them, taking a few long breaths. “I don’t know how much longer I’ll be on this earth, Lilija. I don’t want to know that you’re going to take over this responsibility and have to do it alone. My heart can’t bear it.” He presses his hand to his chest. “I flipped your world upside down by bringing you here. I’ve asked more from you than any person should ever ask, and now . . . now you’ll assume your role with no one by your side.” He shakes his head. “It’s not right.”
