Page 3 of Enchanted Heir
Krew said to Keir’s back, “You’ll need to take one of the women in my Assemblage to yours. Daddy dearest wants the numbers even.”
Keir’s steps slowed to a stop. He spun back around and looked at Krew. “Fine. I’ll take Molly.”
I gasped and stood up. “No!”
Keir’s eyes went to mine and back to Krew, a determined tilt to his jaw.
“Krew, make him choose someone else,” I tried.
Krew gave me a shrug. “It’s fine, Jorah.”
“No!” I shook my head in exasperation. “No, it’s not. He’s taking one of your best bets at happiness.” Unless Renna was already the frontrunner in Krew’s mind?
“Good. Then he’ll know what it feels like,” Keir snapped, his eyes staying on his brother.
Krew looked back to me. “It’s fine.” He switched his attention back to Keir. “I’ll let Celine know.”
I was still standing there shocked Krew had allowed that to happen, when I heard the door shut with Keir’s departure.
“How could you let him do that? How could you do that to Molly?” I asked, still stunned.
He looked me in the eyes. “I don’t need my best bet at happiness. I need my best bet at defeating my father, love. And if you and I can distract him by pretending to be smitten with one another, thenyouare my best bet.”
I shook my head and looked to Owen, hoping he could help me out, but I found Owen still looking angry.
“Where. Were. You.”
I slammed my eyes shut as Owen’s question sliced through the air. I really didn’t want to relive this part. “I was just outside the back hedge and two whole steps into the forest when Krew found me.”
Owen crossed his arms. “So you jumped? Out the damn window, Jorah? You could’ve—”
I shook my head. “No, I didn’t jump.”
He let out a breath and pressed his lips together like he was doing his best not to lose it. But his magic was a dead giveaway as green magic was churning all the way up his arms. “Dammit, don’t make me ask again. Where were you?”
I closed my eyes a moment as the tears were back now with a vengeance. “I opened the window and hid under my bed. While the two of you fled, presuming the worst, I took that opportunity to walk out the door to Keir’s wing.”
I vaguely noticed Krew’s eyebrows reach for his hair, but he remained quiet while letting Owen and I talk.
Owen’s neck muscles twitched as his magic kicked it into another level entirely, the green now turning brighter. “So you heard me calling for you and you—”
“Did nothing,” I finished for him. “Other than clamping a hand over my own mouth to keep you from hearing me cry.”
Through his clenched jaw he bit out, “I would have helped you, Jorah. Krew and I both would have gotten you out of here.”
I shook my head. “No, you would’ve helped me flee. And gotten yourself caught right alongside me. I knew the chances were great that I’d get caught. And I was not about to let the person who’d been there for me when I needed it most be punished or tortured because of me.” I paused to take a breath. “So I left you in the dark. To keep you safe. And believe me when I say I know how bad that stings. I get it.”
I kept having to stop because the tears were consuming me now. “I understand if you don’t want to be my guard anymore. I understand if you can’t forgive me, Owen. I don’t have siblings, but you are the closest thing I have to a brother, and I was not about to let you get hurt because of me.” My next breath jerked my body with it. “Of anyone in this damned castle, I trust you most. But I couldn’t risk being the reason for more shadows in your life.”
I stopped, tasting salty tears on my lips. Neither of them said a word for a few beats, so I added, “I would’ve never forgiven myself for that. And I still might not for what I had to do to you. But now at least I know you won’t be hurt because of me.”
Finally done, I tried to wipe at my eyes, but it was no use. I looked down at my hands. I knew if I had to do it all over again, I still would have done whatever I had to to keep Owen safe. I had many regrets about this night but keeping Owen safe hadn’t been one of them.
“Dammit, Jorah,” Owen sighed. And then he was there, wrapping his arms around me and tugging me in. “Don’t ever scare me like that again, do you understand me?Never again.”
I clung to him for dear life. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
He patted the hair on the back of my head. “I’m still pissed at you, honey. Really pissed at you for what you pulled tonight. But I also get it. Keir was not listening to you at all. Or even allowing you much space.”
