Page 46 of The Crown of the Dark Prince
He certainly wasn’t being reserved now.
Right now, I didn’twantto hear his logic, though. I wanted to be angry. Tostayangry. I wanted to drown in my rage because as long as it consumed me, I wouldn’t have to face what was lurking beneath.
If Kent refused to give me that, I would just have to find somewhere else to direct my fury.
I let the sword slip from my grip, turning on my heel toward the castle.
“We’re not done here,” Kent called after me.
“Iam,” I snapped, yanking my arm free when he reachedfor me.
His voice softened, but his words carried weight. “You’re projecting, Thea. You have been for months. It’s time tofacewhat’s really going on inside of you.”
No.
I couldn’t.
I couldn’t think about all the secrets I was keeping, all the pain I had caused, the pain Ihad yetto cause if that prophecy was true.
I couldn’t let myself dig into the feelings that were clawing at my ribs, because if I did they might just break me apart from the inside out.
Salty tears blurred my vision as I shoved him away, my magic lashing out instinctively—erecting an invisible barrier between us. As if pushing him back physically could keep him from sensingtoo much.
“Stop reading my emotions!” I shouted.
Kent flinched, his expression shifting—like I had just struck him with something far worse than magic. His eyes darkened, a rare flash of emotion passing over his usually measured features before he forced his focus back on me.
“I wouldn’t have to if you just opened up to me - to any of us,” he insisted.
“What do you want me to say, Kent?” My voice was hoarse now.
“We can start with why you’re feeling so guilty.”
The breath locked in my throat.
Guilt.
Of course, I felt guilty. I had so much to feel guilty for. So much that no one else knew about.
“Lorelai’s death wasn’t your fault,” Kent called after me as I started marching away. “None of this has been your fault.”
But he waswrong.
It wasallmy fault.
Lorelai’s death.
The monster I had summoned last night.
And when Hyrax walked the Mortal Realm again, that would be my fault, too.
I had no right to feel betrayed by Clay.
Not when I was destined to betray them all.
Chapter Thirteen
It took three men to load the trunks full of gowns and jewelry onto the ship bound for Tenebris. One shipman groaned loudly as he hefted the last case, his face red with exertion. I shot a sharp look at Nessira and Samsa, who stood off to the side, barely concealing their grins.
