Page 130 of The Last Guardian

I stilled, facing him.

“What? But…” I faltered. “Why is Romy there?”

“The wedding has been canceled. Father claimed you had been kidnapped by the Order and sent Aurora and Romy to Kalor for their own safety. She will marry there instead. I haven’t heard much from her since then.”

The Order? That was surely Haedeon whispering lies to my father to avoid mentioning that he himself had scared me away. Or perhaps Father knew the truth but had chosen to fabricate a story. It wouldn’t shock me in the least—he had done the same with Mother.

“Have they struck again?” I asked. The thought of this organization made me shudder.

“Apparently, the two nieces of the King of Nazar disappeared. The Great Council accused the Order too—I know nothing more.”

Hells.

They had targeted Nazar twice now. I hoped my sisters were safe in Kalor’s palace now.

“I saw Nevan.” Dorian glanced at my side, watching me closely.

I stiffened at the mention of Nevan. Zaidkiel’s gaze locked with mine for a second, his eyes burning with icy rage, before he returned his focus to Nefeli.

“He was searching for you the night after the ball. I was at the Three Foxes when I saw him, and he told—” Dorian hesitated. His throat bobbed, his hands curling into a fist. “He told me he wanted to explain something to you, that he loves you. That he was worried about your safety.”

“Did he now?” I replied sarcastically. “I hope you didn’t believe him.”

Whatever had existed between Nevan and me, it had never been love.

“I would never trust that guy.” Dorian glared at me; his voice was bitter. “I still don’t know what you saw in him.”

“I don’t know either,” I simply replied.

Dorian’s eyes found mine, and he whispered, “You deserve better, sister. You always have. I hope you’ll see it someday.”

His eyes met mine, carrying more truths than either of us dared to express. For a moment, the air thickened with everything that remained unsaid, everything that was lost.

I wanted to look away, to let his words slide off me like water. At last, Dorian finally broke our gaze and joined Lyra at the table, teasing her about something.

But I couldn’t hear anything more than his words, echoing in my mind. The words didn’t disappear from my head; they clung to my soul.

Something old and fragile within me shifted, like dry soil softened when it finally rained.

Only Dorian had the ability to force me to see what I didn’t want to face.

Everything he’d just said made my whole being want to look at the man across the room, talking with his sister, smiling as if life had never taken away from them everything they loved.

My feet moved on their own as I strode toward the front door for fresh air. The great door closed behind me as the cool air grazed my skin in gentle caresses.

The garden was almost entirely dark, with only the faint glow of moonlight illuminating the path leading to the street.

I sat on the stone steps in front of the door, between the rose bushes and the statues.

Breathe.

Breathe.

Breathe.

Breathe.

Everything felt like too much. I had spent years trying to feel nothing but my own desperation. And now⁠—