Page 53 of The Court of Secrets
“I did what you wouldn’t, and I won’t apologize for it.” His words grew hollow. “He stole from me after I let him stay at my court.” He rubbed his knuckles. “Luckily, I heal quickly.”
My heart felt like someone had a fist around it. “I can’t believe you.”
He tilted his head. “He wasn’t so lucky. We gave him a potion to slow his healing, else it wouldn’t have worked. Without his magic, it wasn’t long before he’d taken enough hits.”
“You bastard!” Tears formed in pools in the corners of my eyes. “He was only trying to help his family, to protect the people he loves.”
Anger spilled into his features. “What do you think I was doing?”
I stood in stunned silence.
He grimaced. “I need to break the curse, and he was standing in between me and what I want. Again.”
“I hate you.”
“No you don’t.” He reached out to touch my cheek with his fingers, and I lost it.
I slammed my fists into his chest, but he stood unflinching against them. I landed hit after hit, tears blurring my vision. “I should have you locked away!” I seethed. “Cedric was my…”
He arched an eyebrow. “Betrayer?”
“Friend.”
He grabbed my wrist as I went to hit him again. “Stop, Winter!” His eyes widened, the smoky gray glossing. “Stop.”
“I’m going to send for him to come back.”
“He doesn’t want to see you. He didn’t before he left, and he doesn’t now.”
Confusion clouded my mind. “He was sorry for hurting me. He told me.”
“Before you locked him away.”
“He had to understand.”
“He did, but it’s over now.” He let go of my wrist.
My eyes watered. “I won’t forgive you for this.”
“I didn’t kill him.”
I scoffed a laugh. “What was I thinking?Thatmakes it okay.”
“One of us had to do it. He buried them in the flowerbeds in a part of the gardens where no one goes. How long do you think it would it have taken for someone to find them?”
I paused. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Did youwantAqugar to make good on his threats?”
“You didn’t need to go so hard.”
He shook his head. “I held back. I wanted to go harder.”
My forehead wrinkled. “Why do you always choose violence?” I went to walk away, tears falling down my cheeks, but he grabbed me before I reached the door, turning me to face him.
“I did it to protect your kingdom too. I did it for you.”
“No, you did it for you. I hate you.” I balled my fists at my side again, and tears streamed down my cheeks. “I had it handled. You hurt the only person who ever cared about me.”
