Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 58321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
I would’ve thought that by now my capacity for feeling surprise would be exhausted. And yet here I am, being offered therapy by a demon. Part of me wants to turn him down flat, but that’s just my hurt talking. “I’ll think about it. Seems like I’ll be in proximity for the next six years and change, so there’s plenty of time.”
“About that. I don’t expect you’ll be in the castle nearly that long.” He ignores my questioning look and motions to the door behind me—a clear indication that this meeting is over. “Why don’t you take a walk and get some fresh air? The castle will show you the way. “
There’s no point in arguing. If I need Azazel, I know where to find him, more or less. And he’s right; I could use some fresh air.
I’m not sure how I reach the roof without taking a single set of stairs. Magic is strange like that; it seems the castle took pity on me once again. I try not to think about it too hard. Bars crisscross in a gorgeous iron pattern overhead, no doubt designed to keep the winged monsters at bay. The sky is clear right now, though. It’s a cool day, and this high up, the wind whips at my clothing. I wish I could scour away my conflicted feelings. But that’s not how life works.
I miss Bram. I feel absolutely foolish for letting my anger get the best of me and keep me apart from him for the last week I was there. All those days spent exploring his castle, I could’ve spent with him. At least then I would have more memories to shore me up through the rest of my life. He said he needed time and space, but surely that time and space will spotlight how much he doesn’t want to be with the daughter of a murderer.
Not even just the daughter of a murderer, but the murderer who killed Bram’s family.
I’m so wrapped up in my thoughts that I think I’ve hallucinated the feeling of Bram’s eyes on me. Then the door opens behind me, and the man himself steps out onto the roof.
I have to plant my feet in order not to throw myself into his arms. I don’t know why he’s here. I can’t afford to assume it’s good news. I do my best to filter out the colors of his aura because I’m too afraid to see the truth there. “Bram.”
“Grace.” He looks away and then immediately back at me, as if he can’t bear to have me out of sight. I feel the same. I’m drinking in the sight of him, working hard to memorize every little detail. His wings shift restlessly. “I’ve had some time to think.”
I brace myself. This is the moment when he ends things for good. Trust Bram to make the trip to do it in person. No matter what else is true, he’s not nearly the coward he thinks he is. “Okay.”
He searches my face for several long moments. I don’t know what he finds there. I don’t know what to think or how to feel right now. This is the moment. He will open his mouth and let me down as gently as possible. And then I will have to move forward and figure out how to pick up the pieces yet again.
“I love you.”
I stare. Did he just say what I think he just said? “What?”
“It won’t be easy to be with me. Things in my territory are a mess, and that’s not going to change anytime soon. The nobles will push back against any change I make. They will try to incentivize you to leave, and when they realize that won’t work—you were right—they’ll try to hurt you. But someone very wise told me that hope is a powerful thing. I think, with you by my side, we can give that to my people. If it all goes terribly wrong and they oust me from the throne, at least we’ll be together.” He swallows visibly. “If you want to, I mean.”
I blink several times, still trying to keep up with the direction the conversation has gone. “But my mother—”
“You’re not your mother. Just like I’m not my father. It’s not fair to judge each other by those standards. I . . .” He shakes his head. “I’m not saying it’s not going to be a problem once the truth of your family comes out. And I can’t pretend those old hurts won’t rise from time to time to sting us. No matter what else is true, it’s going to be a lot of work to step out of the long shadows our parents cast. But I have to believe we can do it.”
Hope hits me so intensely, I’m surprised I don’t rise right off the roof of the castle. “You love me.”