Page 54 of Princess of Death

She was angry.

And she believed it.

I’d thought the hardest part of this would be convincing her of my infidelity and abandonment, but she believed it without protest or question.

That hurt more than selling my soul to the underworld.

How could she believe me so easily?

“Drink it.” I left the chair and uncorked the bottle so it would be easier for her to drink. She would sleep soundly through the night—and wake up to a new life. “Goodbye, Anya.” I turned my back on her and walked to the door.

I slowed down. Took my time.

It was the slowest I could move without actually stopping.

But she didn’t speak.

Didn’t protest.

Didn’t fight.

Just fucking believed it.

Without saying goodbye, I stepped into the hallway.

And waited.

Waited for her to saysomething.

She didn’t.

I heard the sound of the vial leave the nightstand and then return once she’d finished drinking it.

But that was it.

I headed to the front door.

My brother was on the couch with my boys, sitting in between them and comforting them both.

I opened the door and walked out. Couldn’t say goodbye to my boys. Couldn’t hug them again…because I might not let them go. I shut the door and walked through the night to where my horse waited.

Gael came after me. “What are you doing?”

I untied the reins and pulled the horse from the post.

“What are you doing?” he repeated, coming after me. “Is she gone?”

I didn’t know what to say to him, didn’t know how to explain any of this.

“Callum.” This time, he grabbed me by the arm and yanked on me. “What the fuck is going on?”

I shoved him off me.

He stumbled back, his eyes shocked at my rage.

“I’m done.”

“What does that mean?”

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