Page 31 of Kings Fear No One
“Teysha,” he says in warning. “You can’t sleep in this bed. You sleep in this bed, I sleep somewhere else.”
“You’re my husband.”
“We’re getting it annulled.”
I rack my brain to understand where his coldness is coming from. Why he’s shut me out after he gave me comfort and affection all those times in the past. What have I done wrong to make him want to erase our marriage?
Why won’t he even give it a chance?
I can’t let this end. I can’t let another thing be taken from me.
I’ve dreamt my whole life for a happy union. I’ve only got one chance…
“If you don’t get out this bed, I will,” he says after I stay put. “You make things more difficult than they have to be. You’ll go your way. I’ll go mine.”
I slide out of the bed to give him the space he’s demanded. I’m not sure what else to say even if I were stubborn enough to stay. He finds me difficult and wants our marriage to be over.
The vows meant nothing.
The day Logan brings me to the clerk’s office, we haven’t said a word to each other. Sydney’s lent me a sundress that I put on to look presentable. My recent post-captive uniform of tank tops and shorts didn’t seem appropriate. Logan’s staunchly cold and uncompromising in dark flannel.
We’ll get the marriage annulled and then go our separate ways.
That’s the plan until we’re turned away by the clerk. The dirty blonde glances at the form we’ve filled out, then arches a brow over her scarlet horn-rimmed glasses. “This doesn’t fall under the provisions to qualify as an annulment.”
Logan lets out a rare chuckle, then his brow creases when he realizes she’s serious. “What d’you mean it doesn’t qualify? It’s a marriage that we were forced into.”
“You signed the license.”
“Under extreme duress.”
“And proceeded to stay married for five months?” she asks, arching a brow.
“Look, lady,” he growls, “it was a forced marriage. We didn’t consent to it.”
“Your signature is your consent by law.”
“Not when we were under duress, you fucking bitch!”
“Logan,” I choke out.
The woman behind the glass gasps and eyes Logan like he’s a beast about to pounce. “Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave. Aggressive behavior directed at staff is not tolerated. I will elevate this case to my supervisor and she will reach out to you in ten to fourteen business days if we’re able to proceed.”
“I’m not waiting fourteen fucking business days to annul a marriage!”
“Sir,” she says, glaring at him behind her horn-rimmed frames. “Please leave or I will call security. I repeat, your temper will not be tolerated.”
We’re walking out of the clerk’s office before I’ve even processed what’s happened. Logan lets out an enraged howl and he kicks at the brass fountain in front of the clerk’s building.
“Stop it… or was getting kicked out the office not enough for you? You want to get arrested for destruction of government property?”
“That bitch refused to help on purpose!”
“Maybe so. But getting loud and angry doesn’t usually help things.”
“We need to have this undone.”
“I get it! You’ve said it a dozen times. You don’t need to keep repeating yourself,” I snap. “You can’t stand being married to me another minute. You’ll do anything to be rid of me!”
