Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 635(@200wpm)___ 508(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
“You’re my mate,” he said.
“I’m your mate.”
41
THE DECISION
CLOVER
Clover exited the tavern and lit a match. She brought it to her loch cigarette, inhaling deeply. She’d need the moment to regroup with the night she’d been having.
Darby had come with her and Hadrian and a huge group of others to flood the streets in celebration. For a while, it had felt just like old times. The three of them, surrounded by others, drinking and dancing and partying.
But things weren’t the same.
Darby, for one, should never have come with them out into the streets. She was Fae nobility and betrothed to another. Clover had decided to ignore it for the time being. When she’d watched Darby get to her feet and applaud Kerrigan despite Trask’s disapproval, she’d fallen in love all over again. That was the female she’d fallen for, and it was the one she wanted to be with.
When Darby had joined them in the city, she’d thought maybe it would happen. Hadrian was on her arm. Dedicated, confident, and as stable as ever. She could be happy with him. She was happy with him. But they both knew she wanted Darby too.
A hand slipped around her waist. Hadrian pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “You ran away.”
“Too much fun,” Clover said. “I should be dealing at the Wastes tonight. Not out like this.”
“Let yourself have fun, Clove. You’ve earned it.”
She had nothing to say to that. She’d earned nothing. Dozan would likely be pissed that she hadn’t come straight back. Though he’d had his hands full the last couple weeks. She’d been there when Kerrigan brought Wynter in, and ever since, Dozan had been spending more and more time in the princess’ presence. She didn’t know if it was for her rehabilitation or for some other reason. Dozan hadn’t take a keen interest with anyone like this since Red.
That was good for Clover at least. Maybe he wouldn’t notice her absence.
A throat cleared behind them. Clover withdrew from Hadrian as Darby entered the mix.
She looked up at the pair of them through long lashes. “Might I have a word?”
“Not having fun?” Clover asked.
“In fact, I am.”
Hadrian grinned. “That’s good to hear, Darbs. We like having you here with us.”
“We do,” Clover confirmed. Though her words were laced with more. They always had been.
“That’s what I wanted to talk about,” Darby said.
She fiddled with her hands. The fidgeting was adorable, but Clover couldn’t stand it any longer.
She put her hands over Darby’s. “Just say what you need to say. You can say anything to us. You know that.”
Darby swallowed and raised her chin. “I’ve thought a lot about what you suggested.”
Clover felt her defenses rising. “What’s that again?”
“Be nice,” Hadrian warned.
“I’m always nice, sweetheart,” she teased with the old nickname she’d used to get a rise out of him before their relationship shifted.
His smile shot desire straight through her. Her toes curled.
“You suggested,” Darby said, clearing her throat, “that we have a relationship. The three of us.”
“And?”
“I told you that was impossible because I was engaged. I’d made my choice.” She straightened her shoulders. “But I’ve changed my mind.”
Clover looked at her in blatant shock. “You have?”
“Yes. I … I want this. I want you.” Her gaze shifted from Clover to Hadrian and back. “I want everything you’re offering. I know it might be too late, but I can’t keep doing this. I thought I would be happy if I had everything I had worked for—nobility, a tribe, a husband. But I’m more miserable than I ever was. I can’t go on like this. Trask is … I hate him. I couldn’t ever imagine marrying him. Sonali is going to hate me, and maybe you already hate me for that choice, but I have to do what is best for me.” Darby looked up uncertainly. “Do you hate me?”
Clover tilted Darby’s chin up and pressed their mouths together. She tasted like cheap ale and the land of the gods. She was divine in every way.
Clover should have stopped her in the middle of her tirade to tell her that it was never too late. Never. But she had liked to hear her ramble about her decision. Plus, it had confirmed everything Clover had feared for Darby. That she was only doing it to please the nobility and that marrying an oaf of a Fae like that would be the end of her. She couldn’t stand by and let that happen to Darby. Not if she could help it.
And she had helped it. Now she was claiming her lips for her own. As they were always meant to be.
“Oh,” Darby whispered, touching her lips when Clover pulled away. “Oh dear.”
“I want you,” Clover said. She reached for Hadrian’s hand. “I want both of you.”
Hadrian turned Clover’s face toward him, and they kissed, deep and passionate. “I want this too.”