Page 341 of Scarlet Wars
But choosing Caden…
I closed my eyes and dropped my forehead to the cold window. Choosing the man I loved, would prove to be the most selfish choice of all.
How could I ever allow myself to go back to Crown? I had been selfish before, and Saoirse had paid price.
But Caden… He was the one price I could never pay.
A knock on my door snapped me out of my pathetic spiral of chaotic thoughts.
“It’s open.” I didn’t bother to turn around, the shivers down my spine already told me who it was.
Caden’s voice was rough, like he hadn’t used it in days. “Got a minute?”
“No, I’m very busy staring out the window. Please refrain from interfering and delaying my goal of achieving absolutely nothing today.”
I could hear the smile in his tone. “I was coming to check on you, see how you were handling everything. But since you’ve rediscovered your sarcastic quips, I’m guessing you’re teetering on suicidal.”
I laughed—louder than I meant to—and turned toward him.
Big mistake.
There was no charming grin. Only a dark, unreadable gaze that seemed to take everything in: the circles under my eyes, the weight on my shoulders.
He looked like someone who hadn’t slept in a week. Probably because he hadn’t.
“You look pale.”
Okay. That’s not flattering. Asshole.
I huffed. “Yeah, well, you look like the ‘before’ picture in an energy drink ad.”
Caden didn’t reply before crossing the room in two smooth strides. His hand curled around my neck, his fingers threading into the nape of my hair as he angled my head toward him.
I sucked in the last bit of oxygen left in the room, my heart hammering in my chest at the sheer audacity of his action.
“No deflection. No sarcasm. No jokes,” he ordered, voice low and dangerous, every word razor-sharp. “I mean it, Emma. I’m not asking you four times before I get a real answer. I’ve kept my distance, like you asked. I’ve let you shut me out for a godsdamn week while I lost my fucking mind. So now, tell me.How. Are. You. Doing.”
My throat worked hard to swallow. I could feel the heat of his palm, the press of his thumb against my pulse. This was Caden. Calm, unyielding, cutting through my bullshit with terrifying accuracy.
“I…” My voice broke. I forced myself to say it, for once to just say it. “I’m feeling sad,” I whispered, slightly proud that I managed to name the feeling on the first try.
His eyes narrowed, fierce protectiveness flickering beneath the dark depths. “Why?”
“Because I’ve decided where I want to live for the foreseeable future.”
Caden clenched his jaw. “Emma…don’t you fucking dare…”
I closed my eyes, steadying the tremor in my hands. My chest was so tight it hurt to breathe. “I’ve made my decision, Caden. I’m staying here. At Cyclos.”
His laugh was bitter. “The hell you will.”
My eyes snapped open. “You don’t have a say in this.”
“The fuck I don’t.” His eyes burned into mine. “You are coming with me to Crown. And I’m not asking.” A dangerousglint flickered over his face. “You might have forgotten it, but you belong to me.”
“Excuse me?” My spine straightened, the words sharp with indignation.
“Don’t do that,” he growled, leaning in closer, his presence swallowing all the air between us. “Don’t get defensive on me just because you feel like you’ve got something to prove. I’m not here to strip you of your choices, Emma. I’m here to make you see them. Your choice. Your consent. Your agency.”
