His head tilted, and he watched my face. “Do you regret telling me that you hate me, that you couldn’t wait for me to die?”
Yes. But I didn’t dare speak the word.
“Back to me staying here,” I said instead. “Do you know more about the curse than what we’ve spoken of so far?”
“Life is too often one tragedy after another with no way of knowing what might happen next.”
“No, then. But there must be more.” I’d read enough books to know there was always more. “Merrick mentioned doing research, and I’m going to assume he meant into this curse.”
Lorant blinked.
“I offered to help him, which I’ll do, naturally.” My tension was bleeding away. My eyeballs ached and spent energy had exhausted me. I felt like I’d slept, but how could I with one eye half open, and my ears tuned for sounds in the woods?
I stifled a yawn. A good night’s sleep in my bed would improve this situation. “I’m not sure what I should ask next.”
“Thinking things through can bring people to certain conclusions. Some might lead in the right direction, while others could send that person astray. I am, however, grateful that you’ve committed to staying. To not running away.”
“I didn’t run.” Not exactly. “I came back and quicker than many would’ve done in my place.”
He dipped his head forward, acknowledging my words. “I’m also grateful that you’ll give this a chance.”
Despite how upset I was with them both, my heart still kept tugging me in their direction. It wasn’t fair, but what in life ever was?
“Wereyou two playing a game with me?” My devastation and hurt creaked through my words, exposing the ragged seams in my quilt.
“I told you I’ve wanted you from the moment I first saw you. Unequivocally. Desperately. That is unchanged.”
“What about Merrick?”
“Doubt is a poisonous thing. Don’t allow it to cloud your thoughts.”
“You’re saying that Merrick wants me as well? Unequivocally. Desperately?”
He blinked hard.
I wasn’t sure why knowing that made my pulse sing. I’d gone from raging, from being determined to kill him—them—to sort-of-but-not-really running away, to… Well, I wasn’t sure what this new feeling was.
“This hasneverbeen a game for us,” he said.
“No, it’s a curse I’m now part of as well.”
“You’re my wife.”
“Saying it over and over again doesn’t make it true.”
“Your denial doesn’t negate the fact, either.” His probing gaze met mine.
“I’m thankful you were willing.”
Wait, willing? “I was awillingbride. That was part of the specific criteria. Are you saying that only a willing, high fae bride can break the curse?”
He blinked, and that crooked smile…
I wished he’d stop looking at me like that. The pride in his eyes made my knees melt, and I couldn’t allow that to happen. But his smile made me want to press myself against him. Tell him I wanted…
Fuck, Ididn’twant to “consummate” my marriage withbothof them, did I?
“I’m not fucking you or Merrick,” I said firmly.
