“You didn't answer me,” I said. “Give me an answer, and I'll give you mine.”
Taeven stopped walking. “One moment, Doc,” he said to the Goblin.
“I'll be in the hospital tent,” the Goblin said. “It's just up ahead.”
Taeven nodded, his gaze locked on mine. When the Goblin was gone, he let out a long exhale. “I don't feel the same.”
My heart plummeted, and I looked away so he wouldn't see how much that had hurt me. I had to bite my lip to keep from making a pained sound. Stupid. So stupid. Of course, he didn't love me. I had known that. If he had felt the same, he would have responded immediately.
“But I'm getting there,” Taeven went on. “Shane, look at me.”
I lifted my gaze back to his.
“I care deeply for you,” he said firmly. “I know it's not what you want to hear, and I probably should lie and tell you that I love you, but I don't want to lie to you just to get you to accept my offer. I can't do that. I refuse to bind us together under a mantle of deception.”
“Thanks,” I whispered.
“But I can tell you that I've never felt like this about anyone. One day spent without you, without knowing what you'd choose, has put me into such a horrible state that I'm afraid to make any important decisions.”
“I guess that's something.”
“Shane,” Tae said in a chiding tone, “that's more than something. Stop pouting. I may not love you yet, but I'm nearly assured that love will grow from what I do feel. Will you risk taking my soul without having my heart first?”
I swallowed roughly and thought about those dying regrets again. “Yeah, I'll risk it for you.”
Taeven grinned brilliantly and started walking again.
“You're going the wrong way,” I noted.
“No, I'm not. I'm taking you to my tent to make you my valorian. You won't need a medic after that.”
Oh fuck, what was I doing?
Chapter Twenty
Daron was posted at the tent flap when Taeven reached it. Upon seeing us, his expression became a mix between relief and sharp envy. I looked away; I was still a little mad at him for the fear that, even now, twisted my gut. But then something occurred to me. Where had Tae's knights been when he'd saved Marthos and me? Had he broken away from them for me? And they let him? The only thing I could conclude was that he'd left them behind to carry us to safety. And he hadn't just left them. The Falcon Lord had left the battle for me. Left his entire army to fight without his leadership.
As I pondered that, Tae carried me back to his bedroom and laid me carefully down on his bed.
“I'll get the blankets filthy,” I protested.
“They can be washed.” He sat down on the mattress beside me and took my hand.
“Wait!” I said anxiously, causing my wounds to start seeping again.
“Calm down, Shane.” He squeezed my hand. “It's still me. I promise I won't change suddenly once you have.”
“But what if you don't like me as a faerie?”
He gave me the look that question deserved.
Then I asked what was really worrying me. “What if you don't like my soul?”
“What?” Tae frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I heard that you'll see my soul when you put a piece of yours into it. What if you don't like what you see?”
“That is not possible,” Tae said firmly.
