Page 99 of Clash of Kingdoms

I couldn’t stand the redness in his face, the pop of his veins at his temples, the strain of the cords in his neck. He screamed at me, and that made me want to run. I turned away because I couldn’t stand this version of him, the man who had succumbed to a forest fire of fury.

I rushed out of the campsite and through the open gate, getting back to the castle quickly because I ran the entire way. Luck was in my favor because I didn’t pass my family or anyone else as I fled. I made it into my bedchambers and locked the door, shutting out the outside world so I could be alone. My happiness at his return had been destroyed by his brutality. All I wanted to do was make him strong, to share that connection that Larisa affectionately described, to have that intimacy he shared with a stranger—but he denied me.

I hadn’t slept in three days, but now, I cried myself to sleep…and stayed asleep.

When I woke up, the sun was low in the sky, like I slept the rest of the night and through the following day. I sat up in bed, and the last conversation I had with Aurelias came rushing back. Every time I thought there was hope we would be able to work through our problems…that hope was shattered like broken glass.

I showered and got ready for the day, tired of lying in bed like I’d done lately. All I’d done for the past week was mope around in sadness, skipping meals because I had no appetite. But another battle was coming—and this time, it would come to HeartHolme.

I moved to the great room, where my father stood with Uncle Ian and Atticus, looking at a map of HeartHolme and the outside lands. None of the vampires were there, and I was surprised that Aurelias wasn’t standing beside my father since they’d become so close.

My father stopped in mid-sentence to look at me. “Hey, sweetheart.”

I approached the table, looking at the pawns they’d used to map out the upcoming battle. “Is there any way I can help?”

My father stared at me for a moment. “You can stay within the castle walls and help the injured at the infirmary.”

I hadn’t expected him to let me do anything at all, so that was a nice offer.

“We’ve lost so many people that we need to step up to roles we haven’t done before,” Father said. “Ask the healers to show you how you can help. Thank you for offering.”

“Thanks for letting me help.”

My father turned his head and looked past Uncle Ian.

I felt him before I saw him, felt his stare on the side of my face. I turned to walk away, careful not to make direct eye contact with him. His dark figure was a blur as I turned and headed toward the hallway so I could leave the castle and report to the infirmary.

But he followed me.

“Harlow.”

I stilled at the gentle sound of his voice. It took a heavy dose of strength to relax my face and not look so angry, to push the memory of last night out of my mind. I turned around to face him, seeing that his skin was a healthy color and that fatigue was gone from his eyes. He looked invigorated, and he stood tall with his shoulders back, his injuries resolved.

“I’d like to speak with you.”

“I’m on my way to the infirmary. Need to learn what I can from the healers before the battle begins.” I thought that was more important than another pointless conversation that never went anywhere. Aurelias and I were at a stalemate, and since he was leaving soon anyway, salvaging this relationship was pointless.

“Please.” He was gentle, far gentler than he’d been last night.

“You can talk on the way.” I turned away and took the stairs to the bottom of the castle then walked out the double doors. When I made it outside, it was sunset, the sky a beautiful canvas of different colors.

Aurelias walked beside me but didn’t say anything.

I didn’t speak because I had nothing to say to him. Kept my gaze forward and continued to walk.

When we passed his cottage, his hand moved to my arm. “Please.” He didn’t grab me, just lightly pressed his fingers into the fabric of my long sleeve, handling me with delicacy because he’d shattered me one too many times.

“Aurelias, I’m tired of having the same conversation over and over?—”

“I know.”

“I love you so much…” I shook my head, my tears hot behind my eyes. “But I can’t keep doing this.”

Now his hand gripped me by the waist, and he brought me close. “Please.”

When I looked into those dark eyes, I couldn’t resist that intensity, the way he looked at me like I was the only woman in his heart. He could hurt me one moment…but make me so weak the next.

He gently guided me inside, shutting the door behind us and bringing us into the darkness of the cold cottage. He went for the logs and started a fire, bringing the room to life with heat and light. Then he came back to me, his hard eyes looking into mine for several long seconds. A sigh escaped his lips, and he dropped his gaze momentarily, like his words were heavy. “I’m only going to talk about this once. Then I never want to speak of it again.”