Page 129 of Wolfkissed
She smiles, and it shatters something in me. Just like she ruined me yesterday and then got up, oblivious, now she’ssmiling about meeting this other man, this human, this lord, and doesn’t seem to have any regrets.
Whereas I… I want to tell her how I feel, what I hope.
And can’t. It wouldn’t be fair to her. It wouldn’t matter. It would only humiliate me. I’d prostrate myself to her, beg on my knees, but it wouldn’t make any difference. She’s been hoping for this wedding all her life, hasn’t she? She was promised to him, and he to her. She carries his picture in that locket hanging between her breasts. She’s been dreaming of him.
I’m just the guide, the instructor… the stand-in. The proxy.
Schooling my face into a neutral mask is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Pretending I don’t care is near impossible, but that’s my problem, not hers.
I take her hand, and she follows me, her steps light. We cross two shallow streams and a dark grove. I’m not wrong. This is the way. We are already in this Lord Eorl’s lands.
I never thought much about it when I last crossed through, only careful not to get caught by his reeves… until I let myself get distracted and caught in the nets.
Until her.
My steps drag. I can run almost as fast as my wolf in this form, but now she’s the one tugging on my hand as I lag behind.
“Valen?” she asks at some point. “Aren’t you feeling well?”
“I’m fine.”
Her eyes are so bright. “You will like Lord Eorl, you’ll see. He’s a gentleman. A great man.”
My dislike for him grows by leaps and bounds, and I haven’t even seen him yet.Fuck…
“He’ll host you,” she goes on, “give you a luxurious room, as befits the man who saved me and led me to him. We will have banquets and balls, and?—”
“I told you, I will leave before we arrive there,” I mutter.
“Valen…” Her face falls. “Please, come with me. Stay a while.”
“No, Princess. I can’t do that.”
“Please, Valen.” Her lashes lower and she plays her trump card. “Please, don’t leave me yet.”
Fuck.Who knew she was so adept at manipulating me? Has she realized that I can’t refuse her even when I should? That I’m a plaything in her hands?
“I’ll watch from afar as you enter the manor,” I rally my resolve. “Make sure you’ve arrived safely. Then I’ll head on home. That was the plan all along and you know it.”
“But surely you’ll stay a few days to rest,” she insists.
“I’m a dark fae, Princess. A werewolf. I doubt your lord will be happy to see me, let alone have me in his house.”
“You don’t know that. Don’t be so prejudiced against us. We humans can get along with the fae just fine.”
I shake my head a little. Our history isn’t conducive to friendships and calm, although many of us try. We’ve been trying for centuries, ever since the fall of King Rouen of the fae who ruined any trust the humans and seafolk may have had in us. The world is at peace now, despite the rogue dark fae like the ones who kidnapped her, who keep poisoning our relations.
And as for Rosie… she was ready to have me killed and thrown into a ditch not too long ago. Of course, I can’t lump her in with the rest. Her case is extraordinary. Still, I’ll keep my doubts about this Lord Eorl, thank you very fucking much.
I’ll keep my doubts and my growing panic as our separation moment draws close.
You shouldn’t let her go, I almost hear my mother’s voice in my head.When you find a good thing, Valen, a perfect match, you don’t let go.
But she’s gone. So what I need to do is deliver this pretty girl, this strong, determined, beautiful woman, to her future husband, rejoin my family, and mourn my mother. Build her a memorial.
My mate’s mother killed my mother, and it’s like a circle closing. I could go back to her home and seek revenge. But what is the use of that?
My heart is too heavy. I’ll have to mourn twice, both my long-gone mother and my just-found love.
