Page 57 of A Touch of Iron
I rolled my eyes, exasperated by the conversation. “He’d think you’re bored with too much time on your hands. Get a hobby, Sage.” I pushed past her, heading toward the dining hall.
She scoffed behind me but didn’t follow. Ansel, on the other hand, was hot on my heels. We walked the rest of the way to the dining hall in complete silence until we stood outside the doors.
“I don’t hate you,” he finally said, making me turn around to face him. When I didn’t reply, he continued. “I’ve come to realize you’ve done more than enough for me, and I’ve been ungrateful.”
I tilted my head. “And you came to this conclusion … how?”
Ansel sighed. “I spoke to Mom. She told me everything.”
My eyes widened and I couldn’t hold back my shocked expression. “You … you spoke to Mom?”
He nodded. “She didn’t know that was the reason you joined the Unseelie Court, but she admitted that what you said was true. She’s … she’s really sorry, Alec.”
“Yeah … well … it doesn’t matter now, does it? Just … just live your best life, Ansel.”
He scowled. “You think I can do thatnow? With everything you did?”
I sighed heavily. “I did it for you.”
“I know!” he shouted before reining in his frustration. “I know,” he said more quietly. “I just wish I’d known sooner,” he muttered.
I watched him for a moment and wondered what was going through his head. Ansel wasn’t the type to yield so easily, but maybe this was it. The moment he understood that I never wanted to hurt him. That I wasn’t as bad as he thought I was.
Before realizing what I was doing, I ruffled his chestnut hair and chuckled. “Don’t sweat it, brother.”
Ansel’s eyes widened slightly, frozen in place before he could regroup his emotions. “You’re … not mad?”
I snorted. “I never was. I’ll always,alwaysdo whatever I can to protect you. No matter what comes between us.”Or who, I didn’t add.
He nodded slowly, almost hesitantly. “About Violet …”
“Do you really want to have this discussion here?” I questioned, glancing around at the other fae milling around close by.
“Yes. I don’t think I’ll have the courage later.”
“Very well.”
“I’d be lying if I said I was fine about it,” he muttered. “But I have to respect her decision. And if you’re the one she chose, then I’ll stay out of your way. I … figured out what she meant, and she was right.”
“What she meant?” I asked, slightly confused.
He shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. Just know that I’m working on moving on. I won’t hinder your relationship. Just promise to treat her well. She deserves a better life than the one she’s been dealt.”
“Of course.” We clasped hands, reaching an agreement for the first time in decades.
* * *
After grabbinga breakfast tray for Violet, I hurried back to my bedroom where I found her awake and waiting for me. She was propped up against the headboard, looking flushed and fresh-faced. When I entered, she visibly relaxed. I wondered if she’d thought I ditched her.
“I brought you breakfast,” I said as I sat the tray on the bed and perched on the edge.
She smiled brightly. “Thank you,” she murmured. “You really didn’t have to bring me breakfast in bed. I could have gone to the dining hall myself.”
I brushed her hair back and gently tucked a strand behind her ear. “I wanted you to rest. You looked tired.”
She blushed and glanced down at her plate, nibbling on a piece of bacon.
“Once you’re done eating, how about we jump in the shower and get … cleaned up?”
