“Just like your mother? You would like to love me until your eyes grow dim? Until you lose every bit of yourself. Until you forget that you were ever a warrior? Because you know that is what loving someone broken brings. If it doesn’t bring about your own death.”
“You’re not your father.”
“No. And I can never afford to be. You…you make me weak. And I cannot afford it. The plane will leave in the morning. I’ve said my piece. This is done. It’s over. You have your freedom.”
“And what about my choices?”
“You are free to choose anything. Except me.”
Chapter Fourteen
THE NEXT MORNINGhe watched the plane leave, watched as Fern left. He had demanded it. And she had obeyed. And yet, even as he got what he wanted, he felt as if his chest was being split open.
He was…destroyed in a way he hadn’t thought possible.
He was ashamed of himself. Of the way that he had taken her last night. Of the way that he had taken a proclamation of love and thrown it back in her face, but he had no idea what else he was supposed to do with it.
Because it was far too terrifying. Far too powerful.
And so he had lied to her when he’d said that he couldn’t feel fear. The moment that she had said she was going to stay with him…he had felt fear like he had never known before.
Deep, unending, primal fear.
But what did life look like without her? He could do this. He could continue to rule the country exactly as he had started. But now he…he knew.
Now he knew that there was something sweeter, something happier available for him if only he wanted it.
How ridiculous that he had thought that he could be with her for two years, and simply replace her with another wife.
He would never want another woman. Not as long as he lived. How would anyone ever be like Fern?
Freya.
His goddess.
There is another way to be a warrior…
His mother’s voice echoed in his head, and he pushed it away.
Because it was far too painful.
It was far too…
It was a reminder of what love really is.
Of the fact that it didn’t have to be defined by loss.
No. He refused.
He stormed around the castle, and found it far too comfortable for his liking. Every piece of furniture so soft and inviting. Everything inside of him was breaking apart. It took hours for him to be able to sit. For him to even contemplate eating.
And then his phone rang.
It was from a number he didn’t recognize.
He answered. “Hello?”
“Hola. My name is Ricardo. You have just sent my sister to me.”
