And there it was. The truth of it.
Erina was not who I’d thought she was. She’d rejected my money to make a point, and she’d nearly been wandering the streets in Laras because of her pride. But would she wield that same pride like a weapon when it came to those she loved?
Especially for her precious Luc?
“I’ll take care of Luc and Syndras,” I promised her. “All I need is for you to say you’ll give this another chance.”
That you’ll givemeanother chancewas what went unspoken.
“I don’t trust you,” she breathed.
Because I’d never given her reason to.
“I can’t give you another chance. I can’t do this again, Kaldur,” she said, her tone almost pleading.
Resolve hardened in my very soul. “Then stay for the sake of our child. You don’t have to trust me. Not yet, at least. Not until I can show you that I make good on my word. But you can at least trust that I will give our child the best I can. Hybrid pregnancies can be difficult. I don’t want you living far. I want you close, so I can take care of the both of you.”
She went silent. A torrent of emotions crossed her features. Longing, indecision, displeasure, hope.
Shewaswilling to fall on her sword for those she cared about. And for our child. Even though she hated me.
“You’ll take care of them?” she asked quietly. “Of Luc and Syndras?”
I tried not to sound too relieved, too eager when I said, “I swear it. I’ll have one of my family’s representatives meet with Luc, to go over a plan for the funds and the business. What happened before won’t happen again with the backing of House Kaalium’s name behind him. And I’ll hire on keepers and a full staff for Syndras starting tomorrow.”
Erina’s shoulders sagged.
“Anyone else?” I asked, wondering if there was anyone else she loved in her life.
She shook her head.
“I suppose you’ll want to draw up another contract,” she said, her gaze unfocused, her words soft.
I made her meet my eyes, then pressed closer. “No more contracts,” I growled. “This is just between you and me now. On our word and our intention alone.”
Her eyes burned into mine. My mind was still reeling with a thousand different stabs of thoughts and realizations. But mostly what I hadn’t wrapped my mind around yet was the life growing inside Erina.
The life I had helped create.
My child.The first of the next generation of House Kaalium.
“I want my own room,” she added.
Though everything in me rebelled at the thought, I inclined my head. “Very well.”
I would merely join her there, but she didn’t need to know that quite yet.
“Are we in agreement?” I asked.
“Yes.”
I hated that she looked miserable saying that word. As if she’d just sold her soul.
But I vowed that I would make this right.
I had to.
CHAPTER 34
