Page 36 of Crimson Kingdom

“Thank you, Da’,” I said, looking up at him. “But I'm all right. No one is forcing me into anything.”

His lips formed a hard line before he bent down to kiss the top of my head.

“If ye change your mind, just say the word, mo nighean.” His tone made it clear that he wished I would, and part of me--the girl that wanted to stay here, safe, in my father’s arms--wished I could, too.

But I was not that girl anymore.

Socair had seen to that.

CHAPTERNINETEEN

By the time I trudged up to my bedroom, the morning’s council meeting already felt like a lifetime ago. How had everything changed so much in a single day?

I replayed the last twenty-four hours in my head over and over again, looking for anything I might have missed about this entire convoluted mess of a situation, but it was like trying to see to the other side of a twister.

I was pacing my floors well past midnight when I couldn’t stand the unanswered questions swirling around in my mind anymore.

Throwing on a dressing gown over my soft nightgown, I padded barefoot through the passageways until I once again found myself pushing into Evander’s room.

Any concerns I had about waking him up, not that I cared, were dispelled when I saw the low lamp burning next to his bed. He didn’t tense this time or reach for his sword, only raised a single eyebrow, leaning his head back against his arm.

His chest was bare, the tanned ridges of his abdomen shadowed in the light of the lantern, so I kept my gaze fixed firmly on his smug features.

“You’re late, Lemmikki. I was expecting you hours ago.” He took a sip from a glass of what I assumed was whiskey.

“Funny, I was expecting you weeks ago.” What was it about standing in this room past midnight that made me say the first thing that popped into my head?

His head tilted in a way that was too discerning for my liking, and I barreled over my words.

“Tell me something,” I demanded. “If this alliance was an option to benefit your people, why take the chance of waiting until I was...allied with someone else?”

He observed me thoughtfully before responding. “Believe it or not, Princess, there was fallout to deal with after you absconded into the night.”

In spite of all my anger, a wave of horror washed over me. He had said Ava wasn’t a danger to him now that he was an adult, but what if he was wrong? Or lying?

My eyes slid to his chest, as though I could see straight through to the other side.

“Did she--” I couldn’t finish the sentence.

“No,” he said, surprise coloring his tone. “I told you, she can’t touch me now.”

I peered at him, trying to determine whether he was telling the truth. Finally, I couldn’t help myself. I crossed the floor, ignoring his wary glance, and gestured for him to show me.

His brow furrowed, but he tilted sideways until I could see his entire broad back.

A slow, relieved breath escaped me when I beheld only the old, white scars. My fingers went to them unbidden, tracing the bumpy ridges like I needed to reassure myself that they were healed.

His startled breath broke my trance, and I snatched my hand back to my side. He eased against the pillow once more, meeting my gaze with consternation.

“When have I ever lied to you, Lemmikki?” he asked.

My mind roamed over the memories of the months we had spent together. Evander may not have outright lied, but he sure as stars knew how to twist the things he said.

I shook my head, answering his question with one of my own. “When have you ever really told me the truth?”

Gray eyes met mine, and a charged silence filled the space between us.

“What is it you want to know?” His voice was low.