“Making me think men can be kind. That they can be… lovable.”
My heart swells. “Princess…”
She shakes her head. “He told me to stop talking to him unless he calls for me. Since I arrived here, he has told me that I’m ugly, undesirable, stupid, unnecessary, and unwanted.”
“I’m going to break his fucking neck,” I growl, my claws coming back, my teeth growing too long. “Going to fuck him up, cut him into tiny ribbons. Nothing will be left of him.”
Her eyes widen. “But he hasn’t hurt me.”
“You mean, physically? That’s his absolution?” I start toward the manor. “Fuck that.”
“No, Valen.” She hurries after me and puts her hand on my arm. It’s enough to stop me. Her every touch is a jolt going through me. On our journey together, I enjoyed it, but never appreciated what I had until I lost it. “Don’t.”
“Do you love him?” I demand. “Tell me you love him, that you really want to be with him, and I’ll go. Not knowing is the only reason I’ve stayed.”
She snatches her hand away, her blue eyes shimmering. “I can’t…”
“Please, Princess. I was on my knees before, and I’d do it again. Talk to me. Tell me the truth.”
“We’re to be married.”
“That’s not an answer!” I snarl.
Her face twists with anguish. “Stop. I thought you understood.”
“I want to understand. Talk to me.” I watch her face for answers, but all I notice is how thin and pale it is. How unwell she looks. “Lean on me and let me take care of you. Let me carry the weight. I want to fight for you. Please…” My voice drops. “Let me fight for you.”
“No fighting. I don’t want you hurt, and…” She lifts a hand to my face, her mouth trembling. “Gods, you’re bruised. What happened?”
I frown. “Nothing.”
“Those men I saw running away… they attacked you, didn’t they?” She smooths her hand over my jaw and her touch sets me on fire. “I’ve been seeing bruises on you for days, and you always laugh it off. You’re not brawling, are you? No, they’ve been after you.”
“I’ll be fine,” I growl. “You should see how bruisedtheyare.”
Her gaze drops to my chest. “Why did you stay? I thought you said you’d leave.”
“I want to make sure you’re fine first.” I lift a hand cover hers, pressing it to my cheek. “Are you fine, Princess?”
A nod. “I’m okay.”
“Should I believe you?”
“You should.” She lifts her chin. “How about you?”
I lean into her touch, my eyes closing. “When I’m with you, I’m okay.”
She lifts her other hand, too, cupping my face. My lashes lift, and I gaze down into her bright eyes. “You can’t keep doing this, Valen. You don’t have to stay any longer.”
“Don’t you want me to?”
“What if I do? You shouldn’t stay because of me.”
“Don’t you know I’d do anything for you? Don’t you know I wear your collar like a bonding gift?” I lower her hands and kiss her palms, one after the other. She shivers, that precious blush rising to her cheeks, and I’m so fucking hard for her, so fucking gone, I might die. “You could run away, Princess.”
“Where?” she whispers. “To the godsdamned mountains?”
My hackles rise. “Why not? I swear to you, we aren’t bad people. My family will love you. My friends already do.”
