Page 31 of Reign

“What should I call it? Marriage? Protection? Duty?” The words scrape on their way out. “Please. I’ve heard all the pretty words already. Doesn’t make it any better.”

Riot steps closer, but he doesn’t touch. “You’re not marrying Killian Byrne.”

I lift an eyebrow. “That sounds very certain for a man who doesn’t get a vote.”

His mouth tightens.

Good. I hope he feels useless too.

“It’s not like it matters,” I say.

His gaze sharpens. “What doesn’t matter?”

“This.” I gesture between us. “You. Me. Whatever you think this is.” I laugh bitterly. “Good thing you and I never went any further. God forbid Angelo couldn’t get top dollar for me.”

Riot’s expression hardens.

“Don’t talk about yourself like that.”

“Why do you care? It’s not like you and I would’ve ever been anything.”

Riot’s expression shifts before he controls it.

Then he says, “Not that you wanted it to be.”

The words land too cleanly.

Too accurately.

My throat tightens. “God, Riot, shut up.”

“No.” His voice stays low, rough around the edges. “You don’t get to do that either.”

“Do what?”

“Pretend this is nothing because someone else scared you.”

I step closer, fury burning through the shame. “You are not my escape plan.”

“I know.”

“And you’re not my boyfriend.”

His face barely changes, but I see the hit land anyway. “I know that too.”

“Then stop acting like I owe you pieces of me I never promised.”

Riot’s face closes down, but he doesn’t let the hurt reach his tone. “Then stop coming to me every time you need someone to make you feel like you still belong to yourself.”

My chest pulls tight.

I ignore it.

I grab my clutch from the vanity. “We’re late for the wedding.”

“Elena—”

“I said we’re late.”