But he doesn’t need to know that. There are more opportunities here than he sees.
And I’m willing to take them.
I take a step forward, but Nollix pulls me back to him.
His wide eyes are intense and shine with pent-up power.
“Don’t.” That’s all he says. It’s all he seems to have the nerve to say to me.
Don’t.Don’t what, Nollix?
Tell me something I have to stay here for. Tell me one single thing to make me stay.
The tightness in his jaw spasms beneath the skin.
We stare at each other for several long seconds, me wishing he’d say something, him wishing I’d listen to his unspoken words.
That’s the most dangerous thing in the world: unspoken words.
I pull lightly once more, and he releases my hand. I know the best thing for our cause is to not look back at him. I need to cling to the beaten composure I’m holding.
My heart feels heavy in my chest, though. He released me so easily.
I take the steps slowly, my boots feeling weighted. The emotion that has run rampant within me these last few days is pushed down. It’s silent and weak.
Just like the king wants me to be.
When I step up to him, I hold my father’s pleased gaze. He watches me as I take my place at the side of his throne. His wounded arm is nearest me, and I take a small amount of pride knowing Nollix broke him just slightly. I stand opposite of Jeriko, but I don’t look to her. My attention lingers on the man who stares up at me. He looks smaller than I remember.
“Release the three of them,” I say on a steady breath.
My father nods. His hand rises with power shaking through it
“Wait.” Nollix takes a rushing step forward. The king pauses, but I know he won’t hold his power forever.
Nollix’s deep blue eyes skim over every detail of my face.
I try hard not to remember the gentle way he kissed me. I try hard not to think about the way he made me feel. Mentally, I’m whispering lies, trying to convince myself it meant nothing.
Right now, it’s vital that I remind myself that it meant nothing.
Vacant features are all I give him.
“If you take her—” Nollix’s voice is deep and rumbling as his attention settles solely on me. “If you go with him, just know I’ll find you.” It’s a threatening promise filled with rage. It isn’t spoken the way a lover would promise the world. It’s spoken like he’s seen the underworld a time or two in his life. “If you leave, I’ll find you again, Violence Starling.”
The breath in my lungs is forgotten as my heart thrums through my chest.
He doesn’t love me. But he can’t lose me either.
My father’s hand slams down against the arm of his chair with enough force to shake through the room.
The image of the court flickers slightly, and the illusion of our surroundings nearly slips away. When I look out at the court again—it’s empty.
Nollix no longer stares up at me as if he regrets letting go of my hand. Carver and Cameron have vanished from their deadly spot above us.
The court is entirely empty, and I feel that emptiness within myself. It settles right into my chest.
The image of the court flickers before melting away. The brilliant lighting of the chandeliers slips down the walls. It reveals dark surfaces of metal beneath. The room is a solid structure built to last and built to imprison.
