Chapter 166 – Ella Broods

Ella

After leaving our rooms, I sneaked down to the kitchens, hoping the palace chef would take pity on me. My stomach rumbled with a hunger so fierce it made me dizzy, but the last thing I wanted was to be social. I love my family, and King Gabriel is growing on me daily, but faking smiles and pretending I hadn't just had the biggest fight in the history of my relationship with Sinclair sounded dreadful.

I’m not sure why this fight feels so much worse than previous ones. After all, we'd weathered Lydia’s attempted assault and fake pregnancy, as well as countless smaller battles over Sinclair’s overprotectiveness, my defiance, and our communication failings. Still, this is the first time since we met that Sinclair has suggested a separation, and maybe that's why I'm so hurt.

I probed my own feelings, searching for fears of abandonment or doubts about his devotion. I’d be lying if I said I found nothing. A small, irrational part of me feared Sinclair might not return. An even larger, more ridiculous part wondered if the magic had faded now that we’re officially mated.

“You’re right. That is ridiculous,” Sinclair growled in my head, and I realized I’d accidentally projected my fears through our bond again. My mate sounded furious, and apparently, the idea so affronted him that he couldn't remain silent. “You know how crazy I am for you, trouble. You know I’ll always come back. Get those doubts out of your gorgeous head this instant.”

“Get out of my thoughts!” I ordered bitterly, trying to imagine a great granite wall shutting off our mental link. I’m not sure if it worked completely, but Sinclair didn’t speak again. I returned my focus to my tangled emotions. Although I was hurt by the idea of him being away, my greatest upset stemmed from his lack of support. I believe I can handle the challenges of this journey, and it’s important for my wolf to gain real-world experience—so why doesn’t he believe in me? Does he really think I’m so weak I’ll fall apart at the first sign of trouble?

“Baby, I told you it isn’t like that,” Sinclair chimed in again, and I felt the full weight of his hatred for the idea of separation, as well as his love and belief in my abilities. “I just need you to be safe. If we can get through this, we’ll have a lifetime of opportunities for you to—”

“I said get out!” I repeated angrily, imagining a giant lock on the granite wall, slamming the bolt into the ground and wrapping it in thick chains. I’m still not sure if it worked, so I decided to test my sneaky mate. “Dominic, I want you to know you’re a great big dummy. You smell terrible, and your wolf has fleas.”

Silence. Beautiful, utter tranquility. Finally. I thought in exasperation. I know blocking the bond with Sinclair will get easier with practice, but right now, it takes almost all my strength.

As I passed the dining room on my way to the kitchens, I heard Roger and Cora talking tensely. I slowed, feeling guilty about eavesdropping but impossibly curious. I hadn’t had a chance to ask my sister about the tension between them, but it was so palpable you couldn’t miss it.

Roger’s husky voice drifted through the door; I could hear two heartbeats—one racing, the other steady. “So what will it be, Cora? Do you want to surrender now? Or do you want to keep pretending you don’t feel this thing between us?”

I pressed my hand over my mouth to stifle a gasp. I couldn't believe Cora hadn't told me Roger had been pursuing her like this. I thought it had just begun, but it sounded like it had been building for a while.

“Just because you feel something doesn’t mean I do,” Cora replied, her voice shaking. “And for the record, if you’re going to be chasing after humans, we don’t believe ‘surrender’ belongs in discussions of romance. It’s generally reserved for battlefields and arrest warrants.” She added primly.

A few months ago, I would have agreed with her; the word “surrender” used to evoke violence and animosity. Now, it evokes the blissful release of being at my mate’s mercy, of letting him take control and trusting him to care for me.

Roger chuckled darkly, his voice softening. “Haven’t you ever heard that love is a battlefield? I’m pretty sure your kind have written entire songs about it.”

“Who said anything about love?” Cora gasped, sounding even more shocked.

“Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself,” Roger murmured, and I pictured him brushing Cora’s hair back from her face. “Or maybe not.” He added in a low purr, amused by her reaction—perhaps a shiver?

I heard a chair scrape, then Cora’s fleeting voice. “I have to go.”

“No,” Roger objected, sounding gentler. “You stay, I’ll go.” His footsteps receded, then paused. I imagined him turning back for one last look. “I’m sorry if this caught you off guard, but it’s not in my nature to pretend I don’t have feelings for someone when I do. I’m letting you off easy today because I know this wasn’t easy for you, but don’t expect the same lenience in the future, Cora. Pretend all you want, but I know you feel the same, and I’m not going to let you go without a fight.”

I heard a door open and close. Once I was sure Roger was gone, I decided I didn’t need to avoid the dining room after all. They clearly weren’t having that conversation publicly, and I wanted to check on my sister.

I found Cora sitting with her face in her hands; I could see her red cheeks through her fingers. Her breathing was ragged and shallow, and she jumped when I touched her shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay, it’s only me.”

“Oh,” she exhaled shakily, her dilated pupils focusing on me. A faint scent of arousal hung in the air—and it wasn’t mine.

Interesting. I thought, masking my expression to avoid mortifying my sister. As soon as her surprise passed, she swatted my arm. “Where have you been?!”

“I’m sorry, Dominic and I had a fight,” I explained. “I was planning on skipping dinner until I realized everyone else had the same idea. Are you okay?”

“No!” Cora moaned, frowning. “Roger is… he’s… well, basically he just made a pass at me.”

“I heard,” I said, wincing, unwilling to lie. “I thought something might be up, but I didn’t want to assume.”

“You heard the whole thing?!” Cora exclaimed, eyes wide. “Why didn’t you do something?”

“Not the whole thing, just the very end,” I assured her, wondering how long they’d been talking and what “the whole thing” comprised. “But what would you have had me do?” I asked curiously, recalling her accusations of never letting her fight her own battles.

“Interrupt him, bite him, sic Dominic on him… I don’t know,” she sighed, realizing the irony of her request. “I’m sorry, I know that’s not your job, and I should be able to handle one nosey wolf on my own… I just… I think I’m in way over my head.” Her skin was still flushed, and I wondered if she’d be this agitated if she wasn’t interested in Roger. “Over your head because you don’t like him?” I began hesitantly. “Or because you do?”

“Wha—I…” Cora trailed off, looking stunned. “Of course I don’t,” she exclaimed, too quickly and sharply to be believable.

“Cora,” I said pointedly. “I know you. I’ve never seen anyone get you this worked up.” In fact, Cora had never dated seriously. She’d been with men, but only in one-night stands.

“Well, I’ve never been hit on by a wolf,” she countered indignantly. “You should have seen him, all cocky and smug… like he knows everything and can read me so well.”

“Can he?” I asked simply, wondering if her detached romantic life hadn’t been a healthy expression of youth, but a way of avoiding deeper connection.

“Absolutely not,” she answered firmly, shaking her head.

“Okay. Do you want me to talk to him for you?” I offered, though I didn’t want to give her an easy out. I love my sister, and I don’t want Roger to pressure her if she’s truly uninterested, but my instincts told me someone pushing her out of her comfort zone might be a good thing.

“No,” Cora replied after a moment, disliking the idea of me fixing her problems again. With resignation, she met my gaze with renewed determination. “Leave Roger to me.”