Page 164 of The Fifth Heir

“I am sorry,” I said.

Talia looked at me for a long time.

“I believe you.”

Her answer gave me one breath of relief.

“I don’t forgive you.”

She did not soften the words to protect me. After everything I had justified in the name of informed procedure, I had no right to ask her to.

The relief ended.

“I understand.”

“Do you?”

“Yes.”

She looked toward the door. “I want to be alone.”

“The healer said someone should remain nearby while the scale is visible.”

“I’ll call Sebastian.”

The choice was deliberate.

Sebastian had discovered her scale and let her decide when it became public. I had learned the same lesson only after helping others take that choice away. Of course she trusted him with her vulnerability now.

It should not have hurt.

It did.

I opened the study door.

“Leander.”

I stopped.

Talia remained behind the desk, her expression guarded.

“Thank you for saying I remain an heir.”

“You do.”

“That doesn’t erase the rest.”

“I know.”

I left.

The study door closed behind me.

The common-room runes remained red long after I crossed to the sleeping chamber.

Chapter 22

Talia