“Apologize.”
“Fuck you.”
Abram sighed.
“You’re right. You’re not good enough to even speak to her.” His smile cut sharp as he turned to me. “In fact, you’re not good enough to live in the same realm, the same world, the same timeline asmyElowyn.”
Before Belion could speak again, Abram snapped his neck. His body collapsed at my feet, lifeless. My eyes stayed locked on Abram.
“You considered this man for a husband.” His voice still vibrated with anger, now turned on me.
“He was my best choice until today.”
“You have terrible taste if that was your best choice.” His voice dripped with dark distaste.
“Who else am I supposed to marry, Abram?” I snapped.
He stalked closer.
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe someone who actually likes you? Or is that too difficult?”
“You arrogant bastard.”
I spun, heading for the house, but he caught my arm and twisted me back. His body pressed into mine, pinning me to a tree. His hand gripped my jaw—not harshly, but enough to make me meet his eyes.
Every rational thought screamed to shove him away, yet my pulse betrayed me, thundering so hard it hurt. The tree dug into my spine, but all I felt was the unbearable nearness of him, the danger and the promise in equal measure.
“Your duty will tie you to a man who won’t respect you. Belion laid his hands on you, and he was your best option? Wait until you have decent choices for a husband.”
“I don’t have the luxury of waiting, or I lose the coven.”
“Godsdamn it, Elowyn!” His hand raked through his hair, magic sparking in the air. “You think saving your coven is worth selling yourself to a man who sees you as a prize? You’d rather be miserable than—”
“Than what? Wait for a man who’ll treat me well? No man has ever pursued me, Abram. No man has wanted me for me. I will marry out of duty, and maybe if I’m lucky, he’ll be kind. Maybe I’ll learn to love him.”
Something dark flickered in his eyes, anger, disbelief, something else. His hands fisted at his sides, like he was holding back words he couldn’t risk saying.
“You really think no man would kill for a chance with you?” His voice was sharp, almost confused. “Men notice you.Youdon’t notice them.”
I wanted to tell him I had noticed one. Just one. The one I could never have.
“I notice men,” I lied. “It’s not my fault no one can hold my attention.”
“No one has?” His voice was low, challenging.
“Only once.”
His jaw clenched. I took a breath.
“Then why not him?”
“Because it’s impossible.”
His thumb stroked my jaw without thought, his stare unrelenting.
“Are you really going to give up your happiness for the coven?”
I scoffed.
