Page 63 of The Broken Elf King
The door swung open and we both jumped. Raife strode in and cut Mrs. Tirth a look that made her bow and leave without a word.
I was suddenly not so hungry. Staring at the king, at his set jaw, eyes thinned to slits, I was actually kind of scared.
“Did you kill Reeves?” I asked, my voice small.
“No,” Raife growled, his voice shaking with anger.
I didn’t know what to say, how to make him see that I couldn’t live alone in the woods while my aunt died.
“You promised you would save my aunt,” I said, the only thing I could think of to reason with him.
“You said I could trust you,” he shot back.
My head reared as if he’d slapped me. “You can. I would never hurt you—”
Raife stepped forward, rage coming off of him so strongly it felt murderous. “But youdidhurt me, Kailani. You bedded me, made me fall for you, and then did something so reckless it ensured that I couldneverlove you.”
I gasped, my hand going to my chest. “Reckless? Saving your life is reckless?”
He nodded. “You showed the entire beach what you were!” he shouted, his fists clenching. “You painted a target on your back, and now I will have to watch another person I care about die! I can’t live through that again. I’ll go mad.”
He cared about me. At least he was admitting that. It was a huge step for him. “I care about you too.” I reached for him and he jerked backwards as if I’d stung him.
“Kailani, I told you not to fall in love with me.Thisis what you get. The walls I built around my heart are too high and too thick to ever love again, and you have proved that. I’m sorry,” he snapped, and then turned, tearing out of the room and slamming the door.
I couldn’t keep the tears in. They rolled down my cheeks in big fat droplets, making me regret the day I ever met Raife Lightstone.
* * *
I atemy now cold soup and sandwich and then read two more books. Because this room had no windows, I had no idea what time it was. As I started to feel sleepy, Raife returned, looking calmer than he had before.
I folded my book on my lap and then looked up at him. He walked over and sat in the reading chair across from me. Clasping his hands, he exhaled. “I’m sorry I got so angry with you earlier.”
I perked up. An apology? I hadn’t been expecting that.
Raife ran his fingers through his hair and sighed again. “I’m very protective around you, and now half the kingdom thinks you can bring their lost loved ones from the dead. It’s got me…” He shook his head.
“I’m sorry,” I told him. “You told me about the repercussions of what would happen if people found out I was blessed and now it’s happening.” I slipped onto my knees and sat before him, looking up into his eyes. “But, Raife, I would do it all over again if it meant saving you.”
He bristled, standing and pacing the room. “You have a big heart. You’re a good friend. I’m grateful you saved me, I just wish it hadn’t been at the expense of your safety.”
A good friend.
I lay back on the carpet like I’d been hit with an arrow, closing my eyes. If he used the F word one more time I was going to scream.
“What are you doing?” he asked, and my eyes snapped open. He was standing over me.
I shrugged. “Wishing I could rewind time and let you die so that you would stop berating me for this mistake.”
He smirked. “This isn’t berating. I can do that, though, if you like?”
He reached down and I took his hand, allowing him to pull me up. My body slammed flush against his and he stepped backwards a pace, dropping my hand like a hot stone. “If I send you back to the cabin, will you stay there?” he asked seriously.
My eyes bugged. “For the rest of my life? Hades no!”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Then I have to keep you near me. It’s the only way to keep you safe.”
“Awww…” My voice dripped with sarcasm. “You’re such a goodfriend, Raife.”
