Page 56 of Under the Mistletoe
But the moment Orin had arrived and gathered her to his chest, the cruel whims of fate had become clear again. She was Orin’s. Always had been. Always would be.
* * *
Devin dropped her phone on her bed to keep from throwing it against the wall as she let out a frustrated growl. “I could strangle him.”
“Right?” Jess poked her head in the door, her phone in hand as if she were reading the chapter as well. She walked in and claimed one corner of the bed. “Why does he have to be all noble?”
Of course, Jess thought Devin was frustrated with Rand. She had no idea this was bigger than fiction. Devin picked up her phone to keep reading, when Jess peeked over Devin’s shoulder. “You haven’t even gotten to the worst part yet.”
“It gets worse?” She wasn’t sure she could handle worse. Devin picked up her phone again and found her place.
* * *
Rand was thankful that Orin had grabbed Calavar for him to ride back to the castle. Sharing a mount was the last thing he wanted. He needed a companion that didn’t require coaxing or compromise. Maybe he should turn and ride straight for Anathia. As though that would be far enough away to forget her.
He closed his eyes, doing his best to shut out her soft skin, her mild flowery scent, and the way she’d fit into his arms as if she’d been made for him. That moment with her was etched into his very soul so deep that every nerve inside still ached with need. She had no idea what she’d done to him. And now he’d never be the same.
* * *
Devin wiped away a tear running down her cheek.
“I told you.” Jess rolled off the bed and walked out the door toward her own room.
It was like reading Logan’s journal of how she’d crushed him. She switched over to the phone and called him again, but it went straight to voicemail. So she sent off another text.
Devin
Call me. Please.
She flipped back to the chapter. Might as well rip off the rest of the Band-Aid.
* * *
The moment Rand rode through the Cambrian gate, he dropped to the ground from Calavar and approached Orin, who stood by his horse. “Brother.”
Orin shifted, revealing Astryn, who stood on his other side. Heat traveled though him as every inch of his skin screamed for him to reach for her, to touch her, to wipe away the tear stain that remained on her cheek. Rand dropped his gaze. “I think it best if I return to Anathia until the ceremony.”
“But I need you here.” Orin’s whole body seemed to stiffen. No doubt he thought Rand just wanted to shirk his responsibilities between now and then. But better his brother think him lazy than what this truly was.
Rand lifted his head but kept his eyes firmly on Orin’s. “You have plenty of men here. After this attack, I need to make sure our keep is secure.”
“He’s right.” Timus spoke from next to him. “No one there knows what has happened. Someone needs to go, and you, Orin, are needed here for the final preparations for the wedding.”
Orin still seemed hesitant. “When will you leave?”
Rand nodded at Timus. He had little doubt that his friend saw more than he was letting on. “At first light.”
“So soon?” Astryn’s words came out breathless, and when Rand’s eyes flicked in her direction, he was pretty sure she hadn’t meant to say it out loud. She dropped her head and looked away.
“It’s best.” Rand led his horse toward the barn. Only it didn’t sound soon to Rand. In fact, it didn’t sound soon enough. If Calavar didn’t need to rest, he’d leave right now.
* * *
Devin rolled on her back. She didn’t know if she wanted to cry on his shoulder about how she must have hurt him or scream at him for believing she’d even do that. She wasn’t Astryn, for crying out loud. The safety of everyone they knew didn’t depend on her marrying Liam. She’d already told Logan she wanted him.
Yeah, she definitely felt more like screaming now. It didn’t matter. Until he was willing to open communication again, she couldn’t do either. And she felt completely helpless.
* * *
