“I didn’t say anything,” he replies, not a single ounce of emotion in his tone. “I was told to deliver it, only to find the apartment abandoned.” His eyes are hard. “For a minute there, I thought you’d decided to try to make a run for it.”
With a shaky hand, I tear open the letter, pulling out a thick piece of cardstock. The script is slanted, a deep sapphire ink scrawled across it by a familiar hand.
“What is it?” Dorian asks, leaning over my shoulder and actively ignoring the disdain radiating off of Rickon.
I swallow, looking up and horrified to see pity gazing back at me from the guard’s eyes. “Mandatory family dinner.”
***
“Your mother is themotherfuckin’queenand you didn’t think that bore mentioning!?” Atlas shouts.
Rickon left without any more incidents and I’m still not sure what to make of his visit. Atlas is pacing like a caged animal while Dorian’s fingers are tapping a mile a minute against his arm as he leans against the wall. Lucien is just laser focused on my face, and I don’t know what he can see in my expression, because the feeble armor I’d managed to build is crumbling like sand.
“It’s not like I get any special standing over the title,” I defend.
I glare down at the open envelope on the counter, the flying lark crest mocking me with the illusion of freedom just like it did every day growing up in that hellhole.
“When is it?” Lucien asks calmly.
I run a hand through my hair, huffing, and snatch the invitation up to reread it for the hundredth time. “Tomorrow. Formal wear required.” I grimace at the crisp bills that were tucked inside, since heaven forbid their disappointing offspring sully their halls in anything less than perfection.
“And we’re expected to come too?” Dorian reiterates and I nod, already dreading how absolutely horrendous this is going to be.
They think Rickon is bad, but that’s only because I’ve kept them as sequestered from fae life as I possibly can. Not that that’s been too difficult up to this point because of obvious reasons, but literally my only job is to take care of my humans. I can’t do that if they’re the target of another fae’s cruel intentions or being eaten by the beasts in the forest.
“Yep.” I cringe, passing over the invitation that clearly states the ‘newly acquisitioned Lark property’ attend for approval.
Dorian’s eyes harden, and I hate that all of his initial excitement and enthusiasm has waned the longer he’s been here. I’m no better than my family, killing that little bit of hope and magic inside of him.
“We’ll go shopping in the morning then,” Dorian offers before heading to the bathroom to shower.
Sliding down the wall in the living room until I’m sitting, I curl my knees against me and wrap my arms around them. I shut my eyes tightly, fighting off the wave of tears that threaten to rear their ugly heads.
Atlas sits down beside me and gently tugs on my elbow. I lean into his side without a fight or opening my eyes, taking several deep breaths. He wraps an arm around my shoulders, giving me a minute to pull myself together.
“It’s going to be alright, gorgeous. You’ll have us there with you this time,” he consoles, rubbing his hand over my shoulder.
I take a steadying breath and risk opening my eyes. “It’s not going to matter. Not there.”
Lucien steps in front of me and extends a hand, his face stoic. “I think there’s something you need to remember, Cambria.” I cautiously take his hand as he pulls me to my feet. “They’re scared of you.”
My immediate protests die as he cuts me off. “Don’t try to deny it, because you know it’s true. You may not want to use the ability, and I understand why. I’m not making light of that fact. After everything you’ve been through because of it, I understand the toll it takes on you to do so. But Cambria, really think for a moment.”
He has one hand on my hip and the other palms my cheek, his thumb gently tracing back and forth over my jawline. I lean into his touch, the steadiness and assurance calming my frayed nerves and emotions.
“If anyone laid a hand on you, you don’t have to take it. You don’t need to fear them or take their abuse anymore. You could take away all of their power so that they couldn’t hurt you again. They know that too, and it’s why they’ve spent your entire life beating you down, so they could feel stronger than you are. But it’s just. Not. True.”
I look up into his amber eyes, just as hard as always, but no longer half as cold. He looks at me earnestly, willing me to see things from his perspective.
What’s it say about me that this human believes in me more than I ever have?
I hesitantly nod, releasing a pent up breath. “I’m not going to let them hurt you guys.”
He pulls me flush against his body so that I can feel every hard ridge and outline. His fingers tangle in my hair as he cranes my head back farther, until I can’t see anything except for him. He controls my every movement, my entire world. Nothing happens without him allowing it to and I’m drawn to the air he gives off with near desperation. I feel the same pull Atlas did, wanting to give the reins of my chaotic life over to someone who will make sense of it, to make everything alright.
“No, you’re not going to let them hurtyou.Let me hear you say it,” he prompts, tightening his grip while my breath comes faster, as I arch into him.
“I’m not going to let anyone touch me again unless I want it.”
