Eyden was still holding her gaze. It was the longest he’d looked at her since their conversation outside the cave. Part of her wanted to take this opportunity to spill everything she needed to say before her chance ran out, but the words were stuck in her throat.
He turned his back on her, ready to leave her yet again. Just like that. As if she didn’t matter anymore.
“You really won’t even talk to me anymore?”
Eyden stopped, waited a few seconds, then turned back to her. His pale eyes were haunting. “Are there any more lies you’d like to tell? Let’s hear them, then.”
He disappeared inside her tent.
Lora steeled herself and followed quickly. She hadn’t expected him to let her talk and she was glad not to have this confrontation out in the open.
Eyden stared at her as she entered, right down to her soul. “Here’s your fucking chance.”
Words flew through her head way too fast to grasp them properly. “I didn’t lie. I told you I’d tell you how I crossed and I would’ve.” She never said he’d be able to cross too. Lora could hear the hypocrisy and although she didn’t say it, Eyden picked up on her unspoken words.
“How veryfaeof you.” The comment stung and he knew it, looking pleased as hurt crossed her face.
“Coming from the fae who lied or withheld information more often than I did,” she spat out.
Eyden ceased to rein in his anger. It showed in a storm of furious waves flashing behind his eyes. “Does my fae ability change our deal in any way?”
Lora remained silent, lips pressed in a tight line.
“No? I thought so. Any other pointless arguments you’d like to bring up now?” He pulled the vial of her mother’s blood out of his pocket. “Here, take this. It’s all you care about anyway.”
Lora took the vial and set it on the surface closest to her. Although she was relieved to have it back in her possession, her thoughts lingered elsewhere.
She pushed her damp hair over her shoulder. Drops of water coated the top of her shirt. Lora didn’t know if the cold setting into her bones was from her wet hair or the intensity of this conversation. Her voice became quiet. “You know why I didn’t tell you right away. You would’ve never helped me.”
He didn’t deny it, dropping his gaze. When he looked up again, his eyes were strikingly vulnerable. “And later on? Did you think I’d leave you stranded after we kissed? After what happened in Rubien?”
His words startled her. Hearing him say it aloud somehow made it all the more real.
“I don’t know, Eyden. I never know with you. I was planning on telling you, but the fear you’d walk away, disregard our deal—all promises, everymaybe—was still there. Telling you the truth felt like a big risk and you can’t blame me for feeling that way after you did just that. You walked away.”
Now he was the one with the hurt look on his face. “Truths can be dangerous. They’re always a risk. It’s why I didn’t tell you everything even though I wanted to. But I didn’t keep anything to myself that directly affects you.”
“But itdoesaffect me. Keeping secrets…it gave me more than one reason to mistrust you.”
“I told you about Elyssa. About all of this.” He stretched out his arms, pointing to what lay outside her door. “Does that meannothing?”
“That’s just it. You never did, not really. I found out because you needed their help to save me. And I’m glad you did. But you never would’ve told me otherwise, would you? Be honest.” She already knew the answer. She was waiting to see if he’d admit as much.
“I might have. If it had come up. It doesn’t change the fact that I never did lie when it mattered. Some truths are better left unsaid. Some lies are ruin. They betray and burn everything down with them.”
“Burn everything down.” The laugh coming out of her was near the edge of insanity. “I knowallabout that now, don’t I? You know, I never planned on unleashing my fae side.”
“You would’ve died if you didn’t. I tried to get to you, but I couldn’t use my powers in time.” Was that regret flashing behind the anger?
“I was saving my own life, yes. But I didn’t decide to risk it until I sawyoufall,” Lora admitted.
Eyden was quiet. His eyes widened before he broke their staring match. Shifting his weight, he looked anywhere but at her. “Whatever the reason, it was necessary that you did. I know you dislike the fae, but you can’t deny forever that you’re one of us.”
“I’m human too. That part of me will always win out.” She had to hold on to that.
Startling eyes met hers again. “Of course,” he replied, a bitter laugh chasing his words.
“What’s so funny?”
