Page 76 of Hollow Court

Davin was a liar.

And I might have been able to move past that if it weren’t for the fact that our every single storms-blasted interaction had been a ruse, designed to get information out of me, as she so gleefully informed me.

Aino couldn’t have been lying about that. Couldn’t have known about Iiro leaving, if Davin hadn’t told her.

“Leave,” I ordered her in a voice like ice.

She complied. Only when she was gone did I finally allow myself to consider the ramifications of everything she said, including the last little tidbit she had dropped with a malicious sparkle in her eyes.

He told me when I came to his rooms this morning.

I scoffed.

Did he now? To his rooms, or to his bed? The bed that I occupied only a few short hours ago. Did he also tell you that you were perfect? Did he murmur the words against your skin like he was praying to the only deity he had ever come close to believing in?

And did I have anyone to blame but myself for showing up at his door like every otherlaskipaahe managed to win over?

That wasn’t the worst part, though.

The worst part was that she had told me knowing full well I wouldn’t endanger her precious marquess. My feelings had been so appallingly obvious.

Even now, I couldn’t bring myself to want him in danger. To run to my uncle with what I knew, knowing it would hurt him.

I wasn’t sure how long I stood there feeling like my body was caving in on itself before an achingly familiar knock sounded at the passageway door.

Should I ignore him? No, he would only come back later.

With each measured step to the doorway, I schooled my features a little more, until I was outwardly serene when I answered the door. His mouth—his perfect mouth, the one that had slid across every inch of my body—was open, like he was already poised to speak.

I cut him off.

“Davin, I was just coming to find you,” I said, because he wasn’t the only one who could lie with a straight face.

He closed his mouth, then opened it again. “You were?”

“Yes. To tell you I’m leaving.” That part wasn’t a lie.

Or at least, it wouldn’t be when I was finished talking to Theodore. Storms knew he owed me a favor since he called off our betrothal talks, twice.

Davin’s shrewd gaze roamed over me. “Did something happen?”

“Nothing I wasn’t expecting.” I gave him a dismissive wave of my hand. “Uncle is finalizing my marriage contract, and I need to be off to meet my new husband.”

Sadly, that was probably also true, or would be soon enough.

I shoved down the traitorous thoughts I had entertained about a different life with a husband I chose.

It was ridiculous, now, the things I had let myself picture. Fanciful notions for someone far less practical than myself. I should have known better.

Der’mo, but Ihadknown better.

I should have realized that Davin would join the endless ranks of men who used me for their own ends.

Davin’s eyes didn’t leave mine, but I kept my face perfectly blank.

“Lina–”

The name was like a spear lancing into my gut.