Wolfe arched his neck. “He’s standing by a window, and the royal guard is drinking.” A few of the royal guards stood nearby, laughing raucously with wine sloshing in their glasses. “So no, he’s not fine.”
Wolfe was normally grumpy, but right now, he seemed so... cold. Distant. My stomach twisted into a knot. He made to move past me, and I grabbed his arm.
“Is something wrong? Did I upset you somehow?”
Wolfe’s jaw locked. “Not everything is about you, Niamh. If you’d stop talking long enough, you might realize that.”
My hand fell from his arm, and I recoiled like he’d punched me in the gut. He still wouldn’t look at me, and I instantly knew what hadhappened. He regretted falling asleep next to me, was horrified at us waking up together, and now he was pushing me away.
Tears formed at the corners of my eyes, but I would not let him see me cry.
“Well, I won’t keep you any longer, then. Wouldn’t want to inconvenience you with my chatter.”
I spun on my heel before he could respond and ran toward the back of the library, pressing myself against the shelves and letting the tears fall. I’d known Wolfe didn’t have feelings for me; I’d known there was no way he’d return my affection, and I’d also known that that was for the best, and yet it still felt like someone had incinerated my heart, leaving behind nothing but ash floating in my chest.
“Niamh?” Cillian walked toward me, his characteristic smile gone, lips turned into a frown. Tonight he wore a silk maroon shirt with gold buttons that matched his gold trousers, handsome as ever, his blue eyes so striking. “What’s wrong?”
He brushed one of my tears away, and I sniffled, knowing that I had to tell him the truth. It was the right thing to do.
“I’ve betrayed you,” I said with a wobbly voice.
“What?” He took a step back. “What are you talking about?”
I rubbed my hands together and squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the castle to disappear me at any moment. “I have feelings for Wolfe. I didn’t realize it until this morning when I woke up next to him. Maybe I realized it sooner but just wouldn’t admit it, but I’ve fallen for him...”
Cillian was smiling at me like an idiot, and I trailed off.
“Why do you have that look on your face?” I asked. “You’re supposed to be mad. Or disappointed. Or sad.”
He shook his head, wagging his finger. “I knew it. I knew you two were a thing.”
“We’re not!” I protested. “I have feelings for him, but nothing has happened between us. I promise.”
Cillian waved away my words, and suddenly, I was very, very confused.
“But what about me being queen, being the savior of Fairwitch Isle?”
“I don’t think that’s the reason you’re here.” Cillian’s blue eyes twinkled. “You brought back our library. You brought back my brother. He’s been different since you arrived. He asked me if I was okay today. He actually asked me how I felt. He’s told you things he hasn’t ever told anyone. He’s let you in. That means something.”
The tears started to fall again, and I squeezed my eyes shut. “You’re wrong. Cillian, he doesn’t return my feelings.”
“What?” Cillian asked, face twisting in confusion.
I pawed at the tears.
“Is that why you’re crying?” Cillian’s voice went low, dark. “Did he do something to hurt you?”
“It’s doesn’t matter. I’m a grown woman, and I can handle it. But if you’re getting your hopes up about something happening between Wolfe and me, I’m afraid you’re wasting your time. I haven’t changed him, Cillian, but I hope you’ll still find me worthy of being here.” My voice broke at those last words.
“Hey.” Cillian gathered me in his arms, and I rested my head on his chest. “Of course you’re worthy. You might not be my queen, but I’d still like to think we’re friends.”
That just made me cry harder. “Y-y-yes,” I got out between sobs.
“That bastard,” Cillian muttered.
“No, don’t blame him. I’m just bothersome and talk too much, and he doesn’t owe me his feelings. He doesn’t owe me anything.”
Cillian pushed me to arm’s length. “Did he say that to you?” His blue eyes darkened. “He said you were bothersome and talked too much?”
