“I didn’t think you’d save me,” I said while avoiding his gaze.
“Don’t get the wrong idea. I didn’t save you, I didn’t care if you died.” Desmond’s face was unreadable, his voice devoid of emotions. They said you’d share emotions and thoughts with your mate, but Desmond was good at keeping to himself.
“All I did was chain you to me, so don’t act all grateful now. You’re an important variable in the plans against me, and I only want to throw my enemies off. Make yourself useful, your life is in my hands now,” he continued.
I wondered how much of what he said was true as I recalled him holding me close, caressing my face ever so gently while I was on the brink of death.
I understood why he was cruel, especially to me. But it didn’t mean I’d be willing to be his puppet for the rest of my life. I want to leave them all behind and start somewhere else, but to do that I must fix this damned heart. It must be strong enough to reject him, and I had to do it before he marked me. Because once I was marked and the bond was sealed, we wouldn’t survive without each other anymore.
“Just so you know, I meant what I said in that cell. I didn’t know about their plans until recently. I found out the same day I got thrown into that prison,” I said to ease my guilt and maybe earn his trust a little.
“You don’t know the schemes that form in your own home? Are you that pathetic?” he sneered. “Right, you’re their spoiled and delicate daughter. You live in your little bubble–oblivious about the things that matter.”
What he said struck a nerve. My father never included me in serious discussions, saying my only purpose was to marry into power. Anger and hurt flashed in my eyes, but he stared me down like he didn’t care.
“You might be right about me being oblivious, but it wasn’t my choice! Do you think I wanted to be kept in the dark and manipulated?” I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the tears that burned my eyes. “All my life, everything I do has been dictated by my father. I followed Andro around because I trusted him more than myself. But now they’re not here to tell me what to do… but I’m still not free. Do you think I wanted to live that way?”
It was my first time lashing out at someone. The mate bond tugged on my emotions, guiding them toward him. I knew he felt them when he paused, reading my expression.