Page 101 of Scourged

“Yes, three days ago. Much can happen in three days.”

Andrian snorted. “I’m not sure those sorts of wounds are going to heal in three days.”

Drystan turned away, looking at the trees. “We all love her. Would fall on our swords and die for her. Would sacrifice ourselves and the entire world for her.” He exhaled heavily through his nose. “But you, Andrian … youloveher. More than just an Armature loves his queen. I’ve seen you look at her likeshe is a moon and you are the sun, chasing each other across the skies.”

“How sentimental of you.” Andrian sloshed another sip of whiskey to drown the burning in his chest.

“Don’t be an ass. You know I’m right.” Drystan turned back to face him. “Aren’t I?”

Andrian blinked once, then deflated. He sagged against the stump, his empty whiskey tumbler hitting the ground.

“Yes. You’re right.” He hung his head. “I love her, and I’ve lost her.”

Drystan shook his head. “See, you believe that, but I don’t think it’s true.”

“Did you not just hear me? I hurt her. I fuckingwreckedher. In what realm will she ever be able to trust me again?”

“It wasn’t you, though. I know that and you know that. And, most importantly,sheknows that. It was something that wore your skin, that looked like you. But she’s not an idiot, Andrian. Don’t insult her intelligence by claiming she doesn’t know the difference. She just needs time. And she will needyou.”

Andrian lifted his chin and snarled. “You don’t have to tell me how smart she is, dickhead.”

Drystan grinned. “That’s more like it.”

Andrian’s anger burned quickly, then ran out. He looked at his hands, the tumbler and bottle of whiskey forgotten.

“I used to believe I could live without her. That I could stumble through this life from afar, could do my duty to this court and kingdom without getting caught up in her. But I was always lying to myself.”

Drystan nodded. “I know you were.”

Andrian clenched his fists. “I need her, Drystan. But she doesn’t need me.”

“I think she does.”

The two men were silent for a long moment, the birds chirping in the trees and the breeze shifting the fresh green leaves. Andrian lost himself in his sorrow and misery, let himself drown in it.

Enough.

He hauled himself to the surface with a shaky breath, his mind gasping as he broke through the onslaught of despair and self-loathing.

He turned to Drystan with determination in his heart.

“How do I get her back?”

Drystan grinned, a spark in his golden eyes.

“You remind her whoyouare. What it felt like to be loved by you, and how you intend to love her for the rest of your life.”

Andrian let his friend’s words settle over him, and with a gentle, naïve burse of hope in his chest, he smiled back.

Chapter 39

The knock on Ciana’s door was soft—a gentle rap on the solid wood.

She shuffled across her room, butterflies dancing in her stomach. Gripping the brassy knob, she opened the door with a flourish.

In the doorway stood Sebastian, dressed comfortably in a deep green cotton t-shirt and brown pants, an easy smile on his lips and a veil of hesitation in his hazel eyes.

Ciana stared at him, mind emptying, even though she’d been expecting him. “Hi,” she said a little dumbly.