My relief evaporated into anger. He still didn't understand. But how could he? He had never been weak or taken advantage of. He had never been abused as I had.
“Yes, it was!” I shouted and shoved him back. “It was hers and hers alone! Tara could have killed all of them for what they did. Toher! They didn't rape the others. Only her. I know you eavesdropped on our conversation.” I sneered. “Always listening to me when I think I'm alone. You want to talk about theft? How about stealing my privacy?!”
He flinched.
“But you did hearher what she said,didn't you? You heard what they did to her.”
“Yes. And I heard what Bara did to you.”
With a growl, I shook my head. “That was for her! I was sharing pain with someone who had been through what I had. That was not given to you! You're the thief!”
The King sucked in a shocked breath and leaned back, his shoulders falling. “Eliel, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take something from you that you weren't willing to give.”
I took a breath and calmed myself. I nodded, unable to speak.
He leaned forward. “I listened because I had to know. I want to share the burden with you.”
“That wasn't your decision to make.” I grimaced and admitted, “I knew you were listening, and I still spoke. I did it for her, even though I wasn't ready to tell you.”
“Why not? You know I would only seek to comfort you.”
“I didn't want Bara to taint what we have. You and I are pure. You've made us that way. But by stealing what I wasn't ready to give, you poisoned that purity.”
“You poisoned it when you took my power!” he hissed.
“I see it more as giving Tara back her power.” Sighing, I sat back. “But I understand your position. It seems that we have wronged each other.”
The King's breath was harsh, his jaw clenching, but then he seemed to deflate. “Gods damn me, Eliel. I have betrayed your trust. I've done exactly what I swore not to do.”
“And I have betrayed your trust. You have been everything to me—everything I needed. And I threw away all that had grown between us to give a stranger vengeance.”
“You felt a kinship with her. I understand.”
“And you wanted to get closer to me. I understand that too.”
“You are important to me, my foundling. But I am the King. I cannot allow you to take control. Not of my people or my kingdom. If you want justice, come to me. I would have given you that man to do with as you pleased. If you had only asked.”
“I didn't think you would. You said you wanted to question them.”
“There were six. I would have given you one. I support that vengeance. I think she deserved it. But as the King, I had to make the decision. You broke my law today, Eliel. If it had been anyone else, they'd be in chains.” He held out his hand. “But I would never chain you.”
“Raven,” I whispered brokenly as I took his hand. “Please forgive me. You're right. I should have trusted you.”
“And I shouldn't have listened to a private conversation. I see that it was a betrayal of your trust. I should have walked away. I forgive you. Will you forgive me?”
“I won't undermine your authority again.” I brought his hand to my face and kissed his palm. “You've made me strong. I don't need to take your power. Thank you for forgiving me. I forgive you.”
“You've given me a lot as well. I don't need to steal your secrets. It means so much more when you offer them freely.” He paused, looking miserable. “And you said such beautiful things about me to her. I suppose you feel differently now.”
I made a mirthless laugh and slid off the bench, onto my knees and right into his arms. Wrapping my arms around Raven's waist seemed natural now, and the feeling of his arms sliding beneath my wings was just as comfortable. I had nearly destroyed this with the death of a man who didn't matter.
“Yes, I do feel differently about you.” Raven winced, but then I continued, “I feel more for you now, knowing you aren't perfect.” I nestled in closer.
“Perfect?” Raven folded his head over mine. “Hardly. I struggle with doing the right thing every day.”
“But you do it, and that's what makes you so special.” I leaned back, nudging his head up with mine so I could see his eyes. “So beautiful.” I touched his cheek and then ventured inward to brush my fingertips over his lips. So soft. “I want to be your mate.”
The Dragon King sucked in a breath. “You want that?”
