“Not two individual pieces but theentirecake.”
“So, as far as the cake plate’s concerned, you’re the same person. You’re a weave of fabric that has unraveled, a part splitting in one direction?—”
“Taking all the dark green.”
Ah, yes. “And the other half taking the lighter green.”
“You’re amazing,” he breathed.
“Groveling. Haven’t seen nearly enough of that yet, Lorant.”
He bowed deeply. “I…” His voice lowered to a husky rasp. “You don’t know how hard the last nights have been. The days for…” He swallowed. “Please know that I look forward to groveling.”
Time would tell about that. “You hid the fact that I’m the fated mate to two men who are actually one.” It was all I could do to unscramble this in my mind. “Because someone has been trying to kill me. And kill you. You’d think knowing you’ll die in a few short weeks would be enough for whoever’s trying to fling me into a quick grave, assuming the same person is responsible for all this.”
“Power can be used for good or evil.”
“Evil in this case.” The fates would never do anything this convoluted to one family in particular. “Do you think one person is responsible?”
He blinked.
“But it’s been years and years.”
“I’ve warned you to stay away from one particular kind of magic-wielder.”
“A wizard,” I hissed.
“Some say they can live forever.”
“Everyone can die.”
“Can they? They weave dark schemes with cunning minds and hearts steeped in malice.”
“Why?”
He shrugged. “To sustain them, I suppose.”
“My assumption is that they’re trying to kill me to keep me from figuring this out.” My heart flipped over. “No, they’re terrified I’llbreakthe curse.”
He blinked at least five times.
This sounded like something straight out of the books I’d adored reading back at the fortress. I eased around him, trying not to gape at his ass that was as nice as Merrick’s. Tight. Muscular. With those cute little dimples at the top of each cheek. And his back…
Stop staring at his back!
Once I’d put distance between us, I turned to face him. “I came back to see this through.”
“How thoughtful of you,” he purred, prowling toward me, stopping close enough I could catch the heady scent of his warm skin. “Only a short wait left for time to inevitably claim what’s due.”
“That’s mean, Lorant.”
“Such is my weave.”
Night. Day. Yeah, I got it. I sent him a scowl. “I was angry. Justifiably furious, I’ll point out. It’s natural for someone feeling that way to say things they might regret.”
“Youleftme.”
If he didn’t sound so desolate about it, I’d snarl. Instead, I bit my lips together.
