Page 568 of Reign

Something inside me breaks.

I don’t remember starting up the embankment.

I don’t know how my feet move or how Rafael manages to get me through the mud while I fight him every few steps.

All I can think is that we were supposed to go to Florida.

We were supposed to move to Florida. I was supposed to complain about the heat and the pool and the way he insists on supervising me. He was supposed to annoy me while I worked and force that stupid hydration schedule on me and tell me my clothes looked better on his floor.

He’s my husband.

This isn’t supposed to happen.

Not again.

By the time I understand where I am, Rafael is opening the back door of an SUV at the side of the road.

Another vehicle waits ahead of us. Pulls away.

I know Luciano is in there.

I move toward it.

Rafael catches me.

“I need to go with him.”

“Elena—”

“I have to Rafael.”

“Luciano would want you in lockdown with Adriana and Vasilisa until we know the threat is contained.”

“I don’t care what he would want. If he--”

Rafael looks at me.

I can’t say it.

Blood covers my hands, my shirt, and the front of my jeans. Tears keep falling no matter how many times I wipe my face against my shoulder.

“I can’t lose someone else and not be there,” I say. “He can’t be someone ripped from my arms one moment and then gone forever the next.”

His jaw tightens.

I can see him weighing his options.

His loyalty to Luciano.

His chances of surviving whatever decision he makes.

Finally, Rafael sighs.

“Better to ask forgiveness than permission.”

Relief nearly drops me to the pavement.

“He’s not going to like this.”