“Enough,” I muttered to myself.
But the word rang hollow. I knew with a certainty that scared me I would not be able to watch her choose another man. The thought made my fists clench. I could chase whoever she picked away.
I dropped my hand and straightened, forcing the feeling back down where it belonged. I needed to stay away from her and let her find her happiness. Otherwise, I would choose her. Duty be damned.
The heavens would never allow me to keep her. They would take her from me one way or another, and I could not stand the thought of a world without Elowyn in it.
I could not afford this. Not her. Never her.
Chapter 3
Elowyn
It had been two days since my party to find a husband… two days since I told Abram to leave me alone and he listened. But it didn’t stop the thoughts of why he was here. My body practically buzzed at the memory of him holding me against him as we danced or the way his fingers undid my dress.
“Are you alright?” Belion asked.
My gaze lifted to the man who looked too much like Abram, and my stomach clenched tight. I couldn’t marry him. There was no way I could look at Belion without thinking of Abram. Worse, he wasn’t even as polite as he’d been at the party. Belion was arrogant and pushy. My gaze moved over his face, and my stomach sank. Abram’s shadow would haunt every glance I gave Belion.
“Yes.”
“So, when we get married, I know you said the coven was not my business, but I’d like to be involved.”
My chest tightened. This was not going well. We had agreed to a date, and already he was talking about marriage, negotiating terms as if I had already agreed.
“What—why?” I glared.
“I can help with big decisions. It’d be nice to be king of the coven. We could make changes, grow, make sure it’s doing what it should.”
“No,” I snapped. “The coven is mine. You will havezeroinvolvement.”
He leaned back, his gaze narrowing.
“I’d be king. I’d have final say.”
I laughed and pushed to my feet. This prick.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“I’ve seen all I need. I refuse to marry you. And do you realize queens have more authority than kings in covens? Women are the final say. You just proved to me I don’t want to do this with you.”
Before I could react, he stood and slapped me. The taste of blood filled my mouth, jarring me for a moment.The sting wasn’t just on my skin, it sank into my chest, a flash of shame burning hotter than the pain. Was this what my life would look like if I chose wrong? Bruises hidden beneath silk sleeves and smiles forced through split lips?
But when he raised his hand to strike again, my mind spoke a spell faster than his arm. My magic grabbed hold of his wrist and snapped it. He collapsed to the floor, crying out in pain. Witches burst into the room to see what happened, but I just stood over the weeping man, smiling.
“Remove Belion from the premises. Ward the grounds so he can never step foot here again. If he does, it will snap his fucking neck.”
I locked eyes with him as I gave the order. He was livid, but pain forced him upright, and he left without another word. Iturned and stormed outside, my chest tight as I hurried through the forest to escape the home that now felt like a prison.
I didn’t stop until I reached the river. The rush of water calmed me as I dropped to my knees among the flowers. My eyes burned with exhaustion. My duty to the coven was crushing me—slowly killing me.
Neither of the men from the party had been good matches. Now, I had no one to choose from. I lifted my face toward the darkening sky.
“I beg the moon to show me what to do. I want to save my coven, but I don’t want to be miserable forever. Please, show mercy. Lift my curse so I can find my true mate. Please show him to me.”
Rustling behind me drew my attention. I smelled it before I saw him—night and smoke. Abram.
“What?” I asked. “I’m starting to think you’re a godsdamn stalker.”
