Gerard had only ever faced off against one lightning archmage. But no. He’d killed that sorcerer. He was sure of it. And there was more than one lightning archmage; it must have been?—
But then Elias nodded. The floor jerked out from beneath Gerard’s feet. He dropped the dagger and the robes onto the floor.
All those moments, when Elias had opened up, acted like they were growing closer, said he was developing feelings, they were all just pretend, just a part of some act.
He stared at the mask on the floor. “You maimed me.” But that wasn’t what bothered Gerard. After all, they had been at war. They’d been enemies.
What bothered Gerard was the knowledge that Gerard had lain with Elias, talking about his scars and his wounds, how they’d hurt him, how they’d changed him, and how they still affected him.
And Elias had kissed his lips with the scar going through it. He’d rested his hands on his altered torso. His fingers had caressed the uneven skin that covered Gerard’s body. All the while, Elias had been the cause.
“Elias has always been two-faced,” Beau had said.It seemed those words were true.
The silence screamed.
“I’m sorry.” Elias stepped towards him.
Gerard took a deep, trembling breath. “When we met, I thought you a fop. A naive fool. A coward.” He looked at Elias. “But the truth is so much worse. You’re a fraud. You tricked me. You manipulated me. You played me for a fool. You made me think you cared for me.” His voice shook.
“I do care for you!” Elias cried out.
Gerard dropped his head forward, as if he couldn’t hold it up. “You called me vile! Repulsive! The dragon wretch!”
Elias reached for him. “I didn’t mean it. You have to believe me. I only said that?—”
Gerard knocked his hand away. “I have to believe you? You?” A bitter laugh tore from his throat. “You’re a liar, Elias! That’s all you are. A fucking lie!” He looked him up and down. “How do I believe a single treacherous word from your mouth ever again?”
Elias flinched. Tears glistened in his eyes.
Was this another ploy? It seemed Elias wasn’t just an excellent liar but an excellent actor too. For weeks he’d not once acted repulsed or disgusted by Gerard. He’d acted like he desired Gerard. He’d acted like he had feelings for Gerard. He’d acted like he cared.
Gerard wondered if he should applaud such a brilliant performance.
“Gerard. Please.” Tears slid down Elias’s cheeks as he reached for Gerard once more. But Gerard had had enough of Elias and his falsehoods.
“You told me how much you hated your stepmother. You told me how she lied and twisted words,” Gerard said. “But she must have taught you everything you learnt. Because you’re an expert at that too.”
Tears streamed down Elias’s cheeks.
And despite everything, Gerard’s chest clenched. If he’d seen Elias like this hours earlier, he’d have swept the man into his arms and held him close. He’d demand to know who had hurt Elias so Gerard could exact violent revenge.
But now …
“I don’t know you at all,” Gerard whispered.
The words landed like a blow. Elias stumbled backwards. “Gerard. Please! Just let me explain.”
But Gerard didn’t want to hear any more words from Elias’s tainted tongue. He turned and walked to the door.
Chapter
Fifty-Two
Elias collapsed onto the bed when Gerard left, taking deep, gulping breaths that alternated with sobs. Tears soaked his skin. They dripped from his chin, onto his hands and silken trousers.
I deserve this. I lied to him. I lied to him over and over and over. Gerard is right to hate me.
He wiped at the flowing tears, trying to make them halt. But they refused to stop flowing. Sobs kept bursting from his throat.
