Page 119 of Hollow Court

“She said she didn’t want to marry you?” He didn’t bother to hide his surprise.

I considered that for a moment. Had she said that?

Back in Socair, yes. But since then, she had mostly said…that she didn’t want something temporary.

“Not exactly, no,” I finally admitted.

My father narrowed his eyes. “Did you offer marriage?”

Our conversations on the rooftop came back to me. The accusations we had both hurled around, the way we had seemed to talk in circles about everything except what actually needed to be said.

Had I ever actually told her that what I wanted wasn’t temporary? No, because I hadn’t been sure of that. Wanting something more with Galina was dangerous, considering our past.

I hedged, brushing nonexistent lint off of my pants. “Again, not exactly.”

Da’ nodded, as if this made complete sense to him. “Ah. Why not?”

“Things are complicated with Galina,” I explained. “She’s always on the verge of running away, and I never can seem to feel settled. She said…that we didn’t choose each other when it counted, and she wasn’t wrong.”

I stared at the floor, at the flames in the hearth, at the clock on the wall. At anything other than back at my father’s assessing gaze.

“And you think that’s it?” He raised his eyebrows. “That you only get one chance at that, and all the choices you make after that don’t matter?”

“I think that if we were right for each other, we would have chosen one another.”

“Of course. Like your mother and I did.” He said the words so matter-of-factly that it took me a moment to realize he was being sarcastic. “We’re all wrong for each other, naturally. Can’t stand the woman most of the time.”

I rolled my eyes, smiling in spite of myself.

“Let me ask you something, Dav,” he said in a more serious tone. “Do you think that after all this time, she’s the same person now that she was then? That you are?”

“No,” I allowed. “But it doesn’t change what happened between us.”

“You’re right, it doesn’t. And it probably won’t be as easy for the two of you as it would be if you were starting with someone new.” He paused, letting that sink in. “But as your Grandfather Rowan always said, a man doesn’t deserve anything he isn’t willing to fight for. It’s not too late to choose each other now, if you’re willing to fight a little harder for that choice.”

I met his gaze then, the twin to my own. I wanted to believe him. I really did, but I had been burned by hope before. Obliterated by it, really.

“And if she leaves again?” My voice was quieter than I wanted it to be.

“You have to decide if she’s worth the risk.” He clasped me on the shoulder. “But for whatever it’s worth, she’s had plenty of chances to run away, and she’s still here.”

I pictured Galina up to her elbows in blood and medicine after the village attack. Her thumb brushing mine at the executions. Her steady features when she reminded me that we were allies.

Her rain-soaked silhouette on my balcony because she had come to see me. On a bad day, when she needed someone, the woman who could hardly force herself to ask for help had sought out comfort from my presence.

He was right. She had stayed in every way it counted.

Now, it was up to me to decide what I was willing to fight for.

THIRTY-NINE

Galina

I couldn’t findit in myself to be embarrassed about last night.

The few hours of sleep I had eked out in Davin’s arms had helped to clear my head. So for the first time in what felt like ages, the world and the situation with my uncle didn’t feel quite as overwhelming.

Even if things with Davin were more confusing than ever.