Chapter 100: Chapter 100

~ NYSSA

He flinched as if he’d been slapped. Guilt and hurt swam in his eyes as he opened his mouth to speak but no words would come out.

“Nyssa, please, you need to hear him out. It isn’t what you—”

“I don’t want to hear shit from you!” I snapped, whirling on Aria. “I know he’s your brother, but I thought we were friends.”

“We are,” she began, reaching out for me, but a scathing look from me had her hands falling back to her sides. “You are my friend, Nyssa. You need to trust me, I have never lied—”

“You have been lying to me this whole time!” I screamed. “You knew! You both did! And neither of you had the fucking decency to tell me! I get that he’s your brother and you always want to support him but he tortured my father. When he was found, he was so unrecognizable that I wasn’t even allowed to see his body. What kind of monster does that?”

“If you would let me explain—” Rowan began but I didn’t let him finish.

“My father was a good man! You killed him. You ruined my life. As if it wasn’t enough for you, you had to deceive me and make me… goddess, I can’t believe that I was falling for you.”

When Rowan spoke, his voice was shaky. “I didn’t know how to tell you.”

“So you were going to lie to me my entire life.” I scoffed in disbelief. “You know, it’s bad enough that you killed them, I may have forgiven you for that if you were misled and you felt genuine sympathy for it, but you lied to me about it. You decided to be cruel and keep it away from me.”

“I didn’t want to hurt you,” he whispered, voice cracking slightly. “I didn’t know when to tell you. There was no right time.”

“How about before you fucked me yesterday? That would’ve been an amazing fucking time! I hate you, Rowan, and I never want to see you again.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I’m leaving, today. Don’t fucking come near me and don’t fucking try to stop me.”

“Finally!” Henry sighed in relief.

I’d forgotten he was even present.

“I have a car read, we can—”

“I’m not going with you,” I cut him off sharply.

His smile faltered slowly, his eyes narrowing as he stared at me. “Why not? I told you the truth, I showed you who he is. I am the only one here who is looking out for you.”

I couldn’t help but snort. “You told me to hurt me. You didn’t tell me because you care about my family. All you cared about was making sure that I didn’t choose Rowan, well congratulations, I choose none of you. You’re both fucking assholes and I’m done.”

I didn’t give either of them a chance to speak before turning on my heels and storming out of the throne room.

I heard voices call out to me but I ignored them, furiously wiping at the tears that had gathered around my eyes.

Raw grief slammed into me, making it hard for me to breathe or even make out where I was going. It felt like I was losing my parents all over again and underneath all of that was the pain of losing Rowan.

I’d actually been stupid enough to think that things could work out between us, that he had changed and we were… fuck.

I was so lost in my grief, my vision blurred by my tears that I didn’t make out where I was going and didn’t notice the person turning the corner until I collided violently with a hard chest.

I cursed, tripping over my own feet and falling backwards. I braced myself for impact but it never came.

“Fucking hell, you should really… Nyssa? Are you okay?” I recognized Eric’s voice instantly and just like that, my sobs grew worse. “What happened?”

“I just… Rowan, he…”

I trailed off, my sobs swallowing my words.

He cursed, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me into his chest.

He didn’t try to rush me to speak or force me to answer any questions. He didn’t even try to move me, he just held me there like a steady anchor amidst the raging storm.

“I think she went…” Rowan’s voice filled my ears as he rounded the corner. “Eric, leave. I need to talk to my mate.”

Through my tears I saw Eric glance at me before glancing over my shoulder at Rowan. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but I cannot do that.”

A wave of shock slammed into me, my mouth falling open as I stared up at Eric.

I blinked back the tears, taking in the stubborn set of his jaw and the way his arms wrapped around me protectively, guiding me to his side.

I felt the anger radiate off Rowan in waves as he spoke. “I did not ask your permission, soldier. Stand down, now.”

“I hear you, sir, but you hired me to look after your mate. You told me that my duty was to keep her safe from any threat.”

“Are you implying that I am threat?”

“As it stands, Your Majesty, she is in tears and her heart is racing like she ran a marathon. She does not wish to see you, and as per my orders, it is my duty to protect her and her wishes from anyone… even you. I will do so with my life so if your wish is to get me out of the way, you will have to kill me.”

I risked a glance at my mate.

There was a mix of surprise and anger in his eyes. Even I couldn’t believe what had just transpired.

I wholeheartedly expected him to shift right there and rip Eric to shreds, but to my surprise, he took a step back, nodding tightly before walking away, shoulders slumped dejectedly.

“Come,” Eric whispered softly, tugging at my arm. “Let’s get you out of here.”

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