I locked the door behind her and slumped against it, grateful to finally be alone.
Farris followed me into my bedroom, skipping along in a playful way that made me want to shriek or wither to the floor and cry. I patted his head instead.
“You’re a good boy, Farris. The best.” My voice broke.
Actually, everything inside me broke.
After removing the lovely gown from my body with a series of gentle tugs, I laid it over the back of the vanity chair, then stripped off my undergarments. I stood naked in front of the tall mirror, staring at my reflection, wearing only the jewelry Merrick had given me. Each piece, once a symbol of his affection, now felt like a betrayal.
With careful fingers, I took off the earrings and the dragonfly necklace, placing them back into the velvet-lined case Merrick had brought them in. My heart ached with each removal, and I couldn't hold back my snarl as I wrenched off the bracelet and flung it onto the bed. It bounced once and lay gleaming in the low lights.
It mocked me as much as Lore had on the balcony.
The mark on my wrist burned, a physical reminder of the connection I shared with the man who was not my husband.Conflict lashed inside me, a stormy sea. No matter how hard I fought it, Lore's pull was too strong to ignore.
Married to Merrick or not, I was drawn to another man. I couldn't deny it to him, and I'd be a fool to deny it to myself.
How could I continue to resist him when his every touch sent searing pleasure through my veins?
Frustrated, I stalked into the bathroom and turned on the tap over the tub. I watched as the water filled the luxurious stone monstrosity, hoping the water's soothing warmth would seep into my soul.
Farris watched, whimpering. He could sense my dismay.
When the water nearly crested the brim, I stepped inside, feeling it lap at my skin as I wrenched the numerous pins from my hair, flinging them against the wall like darts that pinged on the stone before plunging down to impale themselves in the wooden floor. I lathered my hair and rinsed it, then scrubbed the paint from my face. With each swipe of the cloth, I tried to wash away my inner turmoil, hoping to rid myself of the indecision determined to consume me.
When the water started to cool, I climbed out, shivering as I dried my body. I dressed in a simple nightgown and stumbled into the bedroom with Farris padding behind me. He hopped up onto the bed and gave me a mournful look that told me he'd not only picked up my mood but reflected it. I dropped down onto the blankets beside him, curling around him for warmth.
I drifted to sleep . . .
. . . and I dreamed.
Lore chased me through the halls, shouting to whoeverwould listen that I was his fated mate, that I'd only ever belong to him.
Merrick raced beside him, calling for me to come back.
Come back . . .
I woke sometimethe next morning to Calista calling out and knocking on the door of the suite I’d made sure to lock on the inside to keep everyone out. Slipping off the bed, I trudged into the sitting area with Farris padding beside me. I secured his collar and leash, then unlocked the door, nudging him through the partial opening until he impacted with her legs.
“I’d like you three to take him for a walk.” I shoved my hair off my face. It was a mess. No wonder they stared at me with shock blazing in their eyes and their jaws unhinged. “I’m feeling . . . unwell.”
Heartsick, actually.
“Oh, no,” Calista breathed in dismay, trying to nudge the panel wider, to slip inside where she could take control of my life. “My queen. Allow me to—”
“Please.” I swallowed against the lump in my throat. “I need to be alone. I’m fine. Just something I drank last night.” Or one particular conversation that still haunted me.
She drew herself up stiffly. “If you insist.”
Faelith sniffed. Moira continued to watch me with sympathy.
“What about food?” Calista asked.
“Bring a tray,” I said. “I’ll be happy to eat and give it back to you when I’m finished.”
“You expect us to wait out here in the hall?” she huffed.
“Can’t we join you in the sitting area?” Moira wrung her hands. “We won’t bother you a bit, my queen. You can remain in your bedroom, but you’d know we were near enough to serve your needs.”
