He doesn’t get it, and that’s not entirely his fault. I don’t think Vyastil even acknowledge love, and the type of creatures they are, I doubt they believe in something like a soul or that there’s more to the heart than pumping blood.
I can’t hate him for that.
But I can hate him for making me feel the way I do and then snatching it all away.
“You made me believe you cared about me, Rathyn. You let me think this was special.”
“It is. What I feel terrifies me. You are my weakness.”
Falling back, I throw my arm over my eyes and squeeze them shut.
“I don’t even know what that means, Rath.”
I feel a shudder of pleasure, and I realize that without thinking, I’ve gone back to his nickname. I kind of want to take it back, but also, I don’t.
“My Everest.”
Fuck.
“Our connection is, as you said, special. And my superiors are starting to suspect that there is something amiss about our contract. I was unaware, but they put me under surveillance after your interaction with Prince Jyrion.”
My stomach clenches.
“Fuck that asshole. Why? What did we do that was in any way weird?”
“The way you spoke to him was not the way human companions are meant to speak to other Vyastil.”
Well. That was just fucking wonderful.“So, I fucked up Cielo’s life, and now yours?”
“None of that is your fault. You were simply being yourself. But there was no way for me to protect you without pulling away.”
I sit up. That pisses me off even more because fuck that!
“No one was watching us at home, Rath. You didn’t need to be that way when we left Erethar.”
“I was afraid if I allowed myself any more liberties with you, I would make another mistake when I brought you back.”
That…makes sense. Annoyingly, it makes total fucking sense.
“Why didn’t you tell me any of that instead of acting like a giant dick? And it doesn’t change the fact that you didn’t help Cielo when he was taken away after helping you!”
Okay, I know that’s unfair. If even Quilliyn, a fucking prince, can’t guarantee Cielo’s release, Rath wouldn’t have been able to do anything. But I’m still upset.
“Also, you lied to me about the Tarek. And you don’t seem to give a shit about the way Cielo and the others are living.”
I feel a small pulse coming from him, and I immediately recognize it as guilt.
“Most Vyastil do not know about the Tarek. The rift between our species occurred eons ago.”
“But you know,”I press.
I feel him sigh. “It is easier. To keep the peace.”
“Fuck peace when it means killing people who aren’t trying to hurt you. And what about Cielo? Why don’t you give a shit that my friend—your friend—is living like that?”
“He is not my friend.”
“Oh, fuck that. He is. He’s done everything you asked of him.”
