Page 173 of The Moonborn's Curse

Seren exhaled shakily, dragging her composure back on like armour. "I'm sorry, Riven. There's—uh—there's a plumbing issue. In the apartment. Burst pipe. I just got a message."

Riven blinked. "Oh. I can drive you back."

"She's lying," Hagan said pleasantly, hands in his pockets, looking entirely unbothered. "She's just trying to get rid of you."

Seren turned on him with a glare hot enough to curdle blood. "Shut up."

"I'm helping," Hagan said, as if that explained everything.

Riven blinked again, clearly regretting his recent life choices.

"I'm really sorry," Seren muttered to Riven, brushing past him.

She didn't wait for a reply. She stormed off through the gallery doors, heels echoing.

Hagan gave Riven a slow smile. "Thanks for the wine."

Then he followed her.

Of course, he followed her.

Chapter 63

She ignored his offer of a ride when he caught up and took the tram. He followed her.

By the time they reached her building, they were both breathing hard—though not from exertion.

"You're insane," she hissed.

"I'm emotionally imbalanced, yes."

"You're out of line."

"Just wait. I'm only getting started," he promised.

She stopped, and turned, eyes shining. "You don't get to do this. You don't get to show up now and act like—like the past didn't happen."

"No one knows the past like I do," he said hoarsely. "I've lived it in my nightmares every day. I know what I did. I know I crushed you. Lied to myself. Let someone else into our space. I made so many mistakes."

"You gave me hope. You said it was just the two of us," she whispered, voice shaking. "And then you snatched it away."

"I was a fool. I won't ever be again."

Her voice trembled. "You didn't just lose me. You destroyed me. Lied to me. All those promises you made... all lies. If you let her touch you like—like I was nothing, how can I trust you?"

He cupped her cheek, fingers trembling. "You were everything. Still are. I have changed. And I'll beg for your forgiveness for the rest of my life if that's what it takes. Just... don't walk away again."

"I can't trust you," she whispered.

"I'll earn it," he vowed. "No more secrets. I'm not going back to Vargrheim. I abdicated. I'll stay here, in your world, if that's what it takes. Just... let me try."

Her eyes shimmered. "Don't say those things unless you mean them."

"I've never meant anything more."

She stared at him, torn and shaking.

Then shoved him.

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