Gods, how is it possible to run away from someone only to end up ensconced in the comfort of their home?
Me beinghere, the thought itself, had my stomach ache in longing, then in turmoil. I decided I needed a distraction.
I reached for the bottle of red.
Marshen was already holding a wine glass when he opened the door. The little bit of red residue at the bottom of it told me we were on the same page.
“Oh, perfect timing,” he said. “Mine just finished.” Then he snatched the bottle from my hand.
We sat on the carpet. I lay sideways, a fluffy blanket covering my lower body. Marshen rested his back against the bed frame, hugging his knees.
He took a few gulps, then handed me the bottle.
“Sooo, Delia. Will you tell me how it is that you are claimed by him, yet you decided to venture to Ilma on your own,and thenall the way up to the other side of the continent?”
“As you already know, I sought answers about my family.”
“Yes, but we were in Ramel, for Boreas’s sake. We could have gone to him.”
I latched the bottle to my mouth, then wiped my lips with the back of my hand. “I know. I know that’s what we should have done. But he hurt me, all right. I just…couldn’t bear to see him.” I couldn’t bear it, even if his choice meant that the Ilman hostages were a step closer to their freedom—my lifelong wish.
“It was that bad, huh? Bad enough that you had to separate yourself from him?” Marshen’s open stare beckoned me to answer him.
“He—” I let out a long huff. “Hechose another woman. One who is noble and beautiful and perfect for him.Ineeded to do something for myself.”
His mouth curved sideways and his brow wrinkled. “I don’t want to put salt on your wound, but Delia, it doesn’t seem to make any sense to me. Not that I don’t believe you, of course. But first of all, I’ve never met anyone more suitable for him. I mean, it’s—let’s see…stubborn, check, arrogant at times, nay, most times, check, determined, check, crazy, definitely check…and secondly, he slept with plenty of women before you, you know.”
Jealousy clamped its sharp teeth around my stomach and pressed. “That’s very reassuring. Thanks.” I took a few more gulps before passing it on.
“What I meant is…he didn’t claim any of them. You’re the only one he slept with and claimed.”
“We didn’t—I—it’s none of your business, all right.”
Godsdamned wine.
Marshen barked out a partial laugh. “Wait, wait. So you mean to tell me that he claimed you before you two even—” His laughter grew louder. “And thenyou mean to tell me that he chose some other random woman?”
“She was not random, and he did. I heard him choose her. I heard him loud and clear. Knowing that it wasimportantthat he be with her didn’t make it any less painful.”
His brows moved. “Youheardhim choose her?”
“Uh-huh.”
“So you mean to tell me that you crossed a continent because of something youheardhim say. You didn’t talk to him about it?”
“It sounds different when you say it like that,” I snapped. “But I know what I heard, all right. I heard him say how he truly felt about me and what he said—it wascruel.” I gestured for him to pass on the red.
“And who was he saying thesecruelwords to—to thisnon-random, important lady?”
“I can’t say, sorry.”
“Always so secretive. Well, can you at least tell me if Aegir trusted the person he spoke to?”
“I don’t know…I’m not sure. I don’t think so.”
He snatched the bottle from my hand. “And did it ever occur to you that he may have lied to this person to keep you out of the sunlight? To protect you?”
“No, I’ve—that doesn’t change the fact that he chose her!” I snapped. Then my voice lowered to a mumble. “And thewayhe chose her, the speed of it—no hint of hesitation.”
