Page 49 of Claimed By the Fae Lord

I could have thrown it away or burned it. Instead I slept next to the thing. It was quite pathetic, really.

"I don't have an answer for that," I finally stated, sliding the box away so it wouldn't be between us. "I assume that's not the only reason you’re here."

Liam cleared his throat. "I know things have been ... difficult. But I want you to know that, no matter my feelings, I would never let something like what your parents planned for you actually become your fate. No one deserves to be treated like chattel, to be subjected to such depravities."

His sincerity tore through the scar tissue covering my heart. I hated it. Hated that I craved it as much as I feared it.

"Okay," I got out after a quick inhale, my heart pounding wildly in my chest.

The oxygen was sucked out of the room as Liam's gaze held mine, and a silence stretched between us. It felt like we were teetering on the edge of something.

"I also think I should tell you that I no longer think you were involved in the plot to kill Nox. Or his father."

I blinked in surprise, my chest tightening with emotion. His words, so unexpected and yet so desperately wanted, felt like a balm to the wounds that had festered for so long.

A part of me would always be bothered by the fact he'd thought such a thing in the first place, bothered me more than his fucking his way through other females. However, I wasn't the kind of fae to throw words back at someone who had difficulty admitting fault.

"That means ... well, it means more to me than you know."

He nodded solemnly before shifting gears, his face taking on a determined expression. "Unfortunately, there are still some out there who want to use you for their own ends. We need to keep you and the royal family safe—and that means getting you away from Thornewood."

The berserker was back in protective soldier mode.

"Where do you suggest I go?" I asked warily, considering the implications of what he was saying.

"Ephandor.”

My spine straightened. "Ephandor?"

"My family can provide ample protection. Ephandor is secluded and far enough away that it'll be harder for them to find you. It's highly unlikely anyone would think to look for you there, anyway."

"They might if they know you're the one who rescued me."

"Anyone who knows who I am would know I'm close with Nox. Aeryn is his mate and you're her friend. Lorne couldn't search for you, so I'd be the next logical choice in terms of trust and ability to do the job."

It felt like he was trying to play off his involvement as the royal couple's doing and not his. Deep down, I supposed it could have been what drove him.

"Also, I've shown no fondness or favoritism towards you, the daughter of the opportunists who bought their way out of a contract to better her chances of getting on the throne, all the while plotting against–"

"I'm aware and I don't need the reminder," I snapped.

"The point is, Raina," he said my name like an insult, "the Duersian Clan would never allow someone with that stigma, with that level of duplicitousness, into the fold. It's a good place to hide out."

"Ouch," I huffed sarcastically. "That's not a very compelling case for me to go, now is it?"

Liam crossed his arms. "You have to go somewhere because you cannot stay here."

The thought of going to Ephandor, to Liam's homeland, to be around his family, filled me with more than just dread.

It had been years since I'd seen them, and while my parents had actually broken our betrothal, his family hadn't hesitated to accept the payment that came with it.

I wondered if they blamed me for the decision. Liam certainly had.

I wasn't a coward but to face Brahm, the Gatekeeper of Stirroghar Crossing? The Drótinn of Ephandor? The gruff warrior who still held onto some of the clan's most brutal customs?

And facing hismother? Otsonna was just as stern as her husband yet her soft spot was her sons. One of which I’d seemingly wronged in their eyes, I was sure.

Brahm would sniff out any weaknesses I possessed and seize the opportunity to use them against me. He had no tolerance for weakness. But Otsonna would go for the jugular.

---