I look at Isla. “We’ll take the barn?” I both say and ask, checking with her by lifting my brows.
Isla’s brow creases, and she looks away from me, staring straight ahead at nothing in particular, her jaw set.
“In that case,” her voice is quiet and even, “I’ll take the bedroom inside.” She turns to Orion. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to stay a few nights. After that, I would appreciate it if you could give me a ride to the edge of the shifterfae territory.”
It’s clear as day that Isla is still angry with me. I should have expected this. I didn’t.
I stare at her. So she’s still planning on leaving…on going to them.
I open my mouth to speak, but Orion is faster.
“The shifterfae? I’m not so sure…” He’s frowning heavily. “Can we discuss it in the morning?” he asks gently. “It’s late. Everyone is exhausted. Decisions like that are better made with rest behind them.”
Isla lifts her chin. “If you can’t help, then I’ll leave in the morning.” She glances at me; her jaw is set. “But yes, we can talk after we’ve slept. I appreciate the bed for the night.”
Orion and Damon exchange a glance.
Then Damon dips his head and moves toward the back of the cabin. “Good night,” he says.
“Night,” Isla tells him.
Orion looks at each of us in turn and heads to his own bedroom, closing the door softly behind him.
Isla turns toward the door.
I catch her hand. “Wait…please,” I whisper.
She stops, but doesn’t turn to face me.
“Are you angry with me?” I ask.
She pulls in a breath.
“What is going on, Isla?”
“I’m tired.” Her voice is flat. “We’ll talk in the morning.”
“Why are you still planning on leaving? On going to the shifterfae?” The questions leave me before I can think better of them. I step closer. “Surely things have changed between us? They have for me,” I say in a pleading voice. “I’m sorry if—”
She turns then. Her eyes find mine and narrow.
“Not for me, they haven’t.”
“Isla, please,” I whisper.
She pulls her hand free. “You called me a liar. You may have forgotten all about it, but I haven’t.”
“I made a mistake; one I wish to the goddess I could take back.”
“You can’t. Some things cannot be unsaid.”
She walks into the bedroom Orion pointed out and closes the door.
I stand alone in the low firelight, staring at the dark wood of that closed door. I should have expected that. I deserved it and more.
I run a hand through my hair and turn to the barn, my heart thumping in my chest. I don’t know how to fix this. One thing is for sure: I have to find a way. Iwillfind a way.
42
