Page 55 of Claimed By the Fae Lord

It hit me then, like a ton of bricks falling from the sky. This would always be the thing between us, the septic wound from which there was no recovery.

Liam would always believe I didn’t want to fight for us. He’d never allow me to show him what he’d meant to me, how broken I’d been when it ended, not when I hadn’t attempted to go against my family.

For that, I would always blame myself.

“And then tonight …" he hesitated, swallowing hard. "Seeing how much you enjoyed Lorne’s attention. It’s making me think that maybe my comment about Gunnar wasn't so out of line."

His words settled over me like a blanket of snow, numbing my heart and tunneling into the very marrow of my bones.

I may have made an egregious error in judgment by loving my parents simply because they were my parents, and choosing the family I so desperately wanted to love me back, but I was done being his punching bag.

“Let me see if I have this right. You expect me to treat other males with cool indifference because you cannot control your reaction to the jealousy it makes you feel. And if I don’t, I can expect to not only be slandered and shamed, I can expect a visit so you can fuck me like the whore you think I am.”

His jaw ticked. “Of course not."

"Then why did you do this?" I gestured between us, weirdly calm. "Why did you let this happen if you’re so sure I’d be just as happy to have the attentions of another?"

"Because I couldn't help myself," he conceded baldly. "Because every time I see you, I remember what we had, and I can't help wanting it back. Even if I know it's wrong to reach for it. And it wasn’t like you were trying to stop me."

More of the numbness spread through me, as if my frosty magic were leeching into every cell and easing my misery. I found it far preferable to feeling.

I embraced it. Held it tight and anchored it to my soul.

I fixed him with a cold, hard stare. “Then we are both fools. I, for one, willneverbe the fool again.”

I would never let myself be vulnerable to him again. I would be numb inside forever if I must, but at least I'd be safe from the heartache.

Liam stared at me for a long moment, searching my eyes for something. Whatever it was, I knew the second he found it.

"Raina, I–" He broke off, shattering the silence like glass.

Neither of us spoke. Not interested in prodding him, I let him work through it.

And then, finally, he nodded. "I understand.”

With that, he turned and left, closing the door quietly behind him.

I wondered what he would do if I called him back. Not that I would.

I was currently a prisoner within my own body, deadened to everything but the icy emptiness inside me. I assumed it wouldn’t last, but that was alright.

I was thankful for the reprieve from carrying the weight of lost love and toeing the thin line between love and hate. I would need the rest that this soul-deep exhaustion would give me tonight.

Because I had a feeling tomorrow was going to be harder than I ever imagined—and not wholly because of Liam.

Twelve

Raina

The metal prong clicked against the buckle as I secured the leather bracer around my forearm. With practiced efficiency, my hands moved swiftly, fastening each strap.

Hmm,I hummed silently, eying the items laid out on the bed.

The king had been generous with the supplies, particularly the weapons. I was taking most of what he’d offered, but I didn’t need to carry all of it on my person at once.

Sliding the twin daggers into their sheaths at my waist, I debated carrying the extendable spear across my back. I was partial to spears and this exceptional instrument was the sexiest I’d ever seen.

Sleek and easy to wear, I admired its craftsmanship. The pewter-colored metal was unfamiliar but the king had assured me it was stronger than anything I’d carried before.

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