‘Healing,’ Yann said tersely.
‘Don’t want to risk reopening old wounds now, do you?’
Yann only scowled.
‘Why are you here?’It was Raleigh who spoke, but it felt like he pulled the words from my own mouth.
‘I have to protect Clara.’
‘Define “protect”,’ Raleigh said lightly, ‘because I’d say that being abducted and kept prisoner by your father is rather less ideal than living freely with your fiancé.’
‘You’re the one who abducted her.’
‘But she’s the one who chose to stay,’ Raleigh purred.
Even in the darkness I could make out the fury on Yann’s face.‘She wouldn’t have—’
‘Clara, would you rather stay here with him or come home with me?’He already knew the answer.This was for Yann’s sake, not his.
‘I have to go with Raleigh,’ I said.
Yann clenched his teeth, taking a shuddering breath.‘Don’t.’His voice wavered.‘He’s the devil, Clara.You can’t let him take you.’
‘He’s not the devil.If he were the devil he’d be a lot more charming.’
‘Iamcharming.’
Neither of us acknowledged him.
‘He’s a monster.’
Raleigh’s hand twitched.
‘Maybe,’ I said, keeping my voice level.‘And yet I’d still rather go back with him than spend another moment here with you.’
His mouth fell open.‘Hehasbrainwashed you.Have you really forgotten everything he’s done.He killed my parents … yourmother.’
Raleigh stepped forward, putting himself between me and Yann.‘That’s enough,’ he said.‘She’s given you her answer.We’re leaving.And trust me, baker, your hand was a warning.You don’t want to see what else I can do.’
Yann mimicked Raleigh’s posture, rising to his toes so they stood nose to nose.‘I don’t think you can do anything.’He thrust out his uninjured hand and through the moonlight I could finally see what he had concealed at his side.It was a large silver crucifix I recognised from the altar in our nigh abandoned church.
Raleigh staggered back, hissing like a cornered cat.And then, to my horror, he cowered.His face was lit with cold fury, his whole body shaking.
‘So it’s true,’ Yann said.‘You are a monster.’
‘No more than you,’ Raleigh spat back.His fangs were fully protruded, eyes narrowed to slits.There was a wildness to him I had never seen before, as if whatever held him back from his true nature had been dislodged.He couldn’t tear his eyes from the cross, as much as it pained him.He was a lion, terrified by a mouse.
Yann stepped closer.Raleigh scrambled to distance himself.
‘You see what he is?’Yann said.‘Who you’ve chosen to be with.’
‘I didn’t choose him,’ I cried.‘I’m trying to save Orlfen, so for God’s sake put that down and let us go.’
‘Your duty is to your husband,’ Yann said.
My whole body went rigid at those words.My teeth clenched, as if they knew what I was about to say and were trying to stop it.‘I have no husband,’ I said.My anger was a magma flow, smooth and molten and impossible to contain.‘But I am engaged to the Prince of Rostenburg.’
Yann inhaled.Exhaled.His breath shook, but something behind me caught his attention and his shoulders relaxed.He smiled.‘Unfortunately His Serene Highness won’t live to appreciate the sentiment.’
