I just shrugged. “I told you—I spent a lot of time in the woods growing up.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
I stayed silent. I wasn’t about to launch into a story I no longer wanted to tell.
“How did Endymion know you could throw, Nyleeria?” Thaddeus asked. There was less implication in his voice this time, but there was still an edge to it.
“He guessed it.”
“How?”
I put my right palm up and rubbed my thumb over the faded marks. “He’d felt my calluses.”
“And why was he touching you at all?” Thaddeus words held a dark warning in them.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “The last I checked, Thaddeus, you don’t own me.”
They all tensed, but I didn’t care.
“Why was he touching you?” Thaddeus asked again, unrelenting resolve in his words and his eyes.
I stood. “What exactly, is it you’re accusing me of, Thaddeus? Would you like to addwhoreto the accusation ofwitchI received last night?”
He didn’t flinch at my words like the other two did, and I instantly knew what Thaddeus was thinking—brick by brick, I built a wall, protecting myself from his insinuations.
“You think because I wasn’t a virgin when you bedded me that I’ll spread my legs for whomever shows interest?”
Tarrin’s eyes went wide. He hadn’t known, then. These men and their skewed, out-of-date ideologies. I couldn’t handle this right now.
“I said it the other night, and I’ll say it again, Thaddeus. But this is the last time I will entertain this conversation. Do you understand?” My words were cold and clipped. “You didn’t seem to mind my lost maidenhood when you rammed yourself to the hilt inside of me again and again, enjoying the rough ride I offered you. There was no courting or promise of marriage before you spilled your seed inside of me and screamed my name with pleasure. Yes, we had sex. But you have no claim to my past, and you sure as hell have no claim to me now. So don’t you dare accuse me of sleeping around. And notthat it’s any of your business, but I have only taken two lovers in my life, which I can guarantee is exponentially less than you have.”
I walked away, seething, then turned back to him. “To answer your question, Endymion felt my calluses when I danced with him in Wymond’s stead.”
Thaddeus flinched. Good, at least those words hit their mark.
Turning once more, I left the villa without another word.
Chapter 36
Down Here, It’s Better…
I’m not sure how long I wandered the halls before Kai found me. I was happy to see her, but my smile faded as I noticed her annoyance.
“There you are,” she said, her words curt.
“Here I am,” I said, spreading my palms out as if revealing myself.
“You are never where you ought to be.” I had to smile—truer words had never been spoken. “We need to get you ready. Come now, or you will surely be late to meet with the high lord.”
“Already?”
“Come,” she ordered, then turned on her heel. I followed.
Mercifully, the villa was empty when we entered. That was the second time in less than a day that I’d been grateful for my companions’ absence. I couldn’t wait to get back to the palace, away from this madness, back to normal—if my life could ever be called such a thing.
Clothing awaited me on Thaddeus’ bed, beautiful as always. First was a high-waisted dusty-pink maxi skirt that hugged my curves, then cascaded freely down. The fabric was layered, but sheer,showing my silhouetted frame beneath. Should it have shown any more detail, I would have refused to wear it.
The soft green-blue top reminded me of the colors I’d seen in the void, but this was its barely discernible counterpart. It was patterned with small, delicate petals, and flirted just above the skirt’s waist. A slight lift of my arms revealed a hint of midriff.
