I gasp. “You don’t mean that.”
“I have nothing, and I’m tired, Wynter.” I’m so enthralled by his raspy voice, I almost don’t hear his words.
I focus and scowl. “Just hold on. I’m trying to get us out of here.”
He sits suddenly, almost knocking me from the bed. “Let’s go,” he says, holding out a shaky hand. I stare at it, and after a few seconds, he retracts it. “You have no intention, and I don’t blame you. You have no reason to leave now.”
“It’s not just us I’m fighting for,” I say.
“If you’re holding out for your new man to leave, I think you’ll be waiting a while. He seems very settled here in his fancy house.”
“I know it looks bad,” I mutter, averting my eyes.
“It is bad,” he yells, and I flinch. “You gave me hope, Wynter. I’ve even started to see her again,” he adds, tapping his head, “in here.”
“Who?”
“My mother.” I clap my hand over my mouth to stop the sob escaping, and tears fill my eyes. He sighs again. “I gave up hope of ever seeing her, but you’ve shown me it’s possible.”
“I’m working on it.” The pressure I’m feeling weighs me down as my heart beats faster. If my plan doesn’t work by coming between my father and Silas, I’ll have to find another way, and Lord knows how long that will take. Looking at Wrath, I’m running out of time.
“What sort of things are you doing to get his help?”
I shake my head, confusion furrowing my brow. “Silas isn’t helping me.”
“Really?” he scoffs. “You can’t even look me in the eye.”
“I haven’t done anything,” I cry.
He shakes his head sadly, pushing to his feet. “It’s not as if you owe me anything, Wynter. Just go. You’re safer up there playing happy families.”
“My father forced me to marry Silas. Right after you . . . we . . .” I sigh. “After what happened in the caves, Silas forced me to sign a register and then took me to his home. I didn’t get a say.”
He stares at the ground, his hands resting on his hips. “I think about that day a lot.”
“Me too,” I admit, swiping my tears away.
“The look in your eyes,” he mutters, his voice cracking with emotion, “I don’t think it’ll ever leave me.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” I tell him, stepping closer. Our eyes meet, and I gently run my hand over his cheek. “I don’t blame you.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispers.
More tears roll down my cheeks, and I force a smile. “Me too.”
“You should go to him,” he eventually says, turning away.
“Don’t be like this,” I cry, frustrated at the way he so easily dismisses me. “Tell me what you want me to do.”
He spins back to face me. “I can tell you what I don’t want you to do,” he snaps, closing the gap between us until I have to tip my neck back to see his angry face. “I don’t want you to kiss him, Wynter. I don’t want you to close your eyes and lose yourself in his kiss.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“I don’t want you sharing his bed.” He takes a calming breath. “Are you sharing his bed?” The pain in his expression hurts me even more.
“Don’t do this,” I mutter.
“Did he buy you these clothes?” he asks, plucking at my dress. “And the fancy hair and makeup?”
