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Brogan rose, stated they would allow an hour’s preparation, then the three brothers left.
Zylus let Ollie free the moment the door shut behind them.
He’s been fruitlessly lunging for Cael ever since.
I’ve gone cold.
This is that whole…thing. The fantasy story betrayal stuff that Alana eats up and rants about when it doesn’t go her way. I can never stomach any of it. This is what sends me fleeing to my contemporary fanfiction fluff and happily forever afters.
It’s the plot twist no one saw coming, even though undoubtedly it’s been hinted at in some manner for at least the last twenty chapters.
Some thirteen-year-old girl is cackling her genius and pouring a cup of tea in order to watch the fireworks go off in the comments after she hits publish.
Cael shifts away from Ollie’s swipe yet again, dancing back across the lush flooring without a care. I look toward Zylus for…something. I don’t know. He’s Willow’s mate. I’m almost positive that Willow’s my friend. We’ve got feminine solidarity, if nothing else. He should offer something of support, right?
But he looks about as emotionless as a cat ready to knock a favorite mug to the tile floor.
I don’t understand.
Aren’t Ollie and Zylus really good friends?
Is this because they’re fae? Is this the taint of inhuman in them? Is this the craving for something exciting to break up their mundane ages? Alana’s talked about fae games before. Willow mentioned the dangers of wandering into one. But this…this feels so wrong.
It’s not supposed to happen in Cael’s perfectly-crafted world built on a concept of mutual care. There isn’t supposed to be a dramatic betrayal at the end of so much healing and peace.
“How could you?” Ollie’s voice cracks.
“Ollie.”
“She is not a bargaining piece!” Upon another failed attack, Ollie drops to his knees, shaking. Deep breaths fill his lungs, rattling free of them.
“I know that.” Cael crosses his arms. “A bargain implies give and take. There will be none.”
“This goes too far,” Ollie whispers, lifting his face. “Your faith in me is misplaced.”
“It’s…not really faith.” Cael sweeps his fingers through his hair, and his eyes catch on me. He smiles. “Little one, if you would.” He holds out his hand, beckoning.
Yet again, I look to Zylus for something of assistance and find him yawning.
Helpful.
Chewing my lip, I relinquish the tray of doughnuts I’m still holding and cross the room. We just became doughnut buddies. I don’t know how to feel about this. I don’t even know if I should listen to him now or if I should run the other way.
Ollie trusted him. I trusted in Ollie’s opinion of him. He gave me the tools I needed so I could still talk to Alana on the phone.
We came so far on fickle trust. I soothed myself with it as I took steps toward changing my life forever. Was it all a scheme to bring us to this point?
Why?
“If you look at me like that, you’ll hurt my feelings,” Cael notes.
I grip my hands in front of my sundress and watch him with wary eyes.
He sighs. “Well. Consider my feelings hurt. I forgive you.” His attention falls on Ollie. “But you? Have we not known one another long enough for you to have faith in me?”
“I just…don’t understand.” Each word escapes sticky and wet, tightened with restrained tears. “I could convince myself to fight even to the death for Brittny, but I see no way possible to manage without a scratch.”
My heart cracks, and I drop to my knees beside Ollie, smoothing his hair from his cheeks. He clasps my hand with trembling fingers.
