Page 48 of Revealing Fate

The flash of displeasure crossed Vulgren’s features, and anxiety-induced nausea crawled up Imogen’s throat. She wasn’t sure how much farther she could push, but she appeared to be reaching a threshold. After a moment, though, Vulgren dipped his head in acquiescence and called for the guard.

A few seconds later, the door reopened, and Karrick stepped through, led by Second Lieutenant Gore and one other.

“Leave us,” Imogen commanded.

“But Elder,” Vulgren began.

“This male is ruled by his divine instincts, Mender Vulgren,” Imogen said sternly. “He will not harm me once unbound, but I cannot make any guarantee for another male’s safety, even in my presence. This is the only way.”

She held her hand out to Lieutenant Gore for the key to Karrick’s shackles and instructed them to secure the exit once they left.

“I will be right behind you.”

The young Lieutenant warily placed an iron key into Imogen’s outstretched hand before ushering Vulgren and the remaining guard out the door. Only when Imogen heard the bolt fastened did she allow herself to breathe.

She stepped up to Karrick and reached for his shackles with trembling fingers. The key slipped in her grip when she tried to fit it into the lock and clinked as it hit the floor. Imogen dipped to retrieve it, cursing her uncustomary clumsiness.

When she straightened and tried again, Karrick’s larger hand closed over hers. His steady fingers guided her still-trembling ones as they turned the key, and the shackles fell away. Her lip quivered. Curse her. She would not cry. Her useless tears were the last thing this man needed.

Karrick scratched at his throat and looked around the room. “What is this?”

Imogen followed his gaze. “This is your new room. I’m sorry it’s not very big. But it’s warm. You’ll be fed. More than those miserable scraps. And there’s a tub so you can bathe⁠—”

“Gen,” he said, and she ceased her rambling. Karrick sat on the edge of the bed and patted the spot next to him. Imogen sat.

He lifted a hand as though to turn her face toward him, but stopped, attention snagging on the grime that caked the underside of jagged nails. His hand dropped to his lap. An ocean-deep sadness pooled in his gaze. “You know this changes nothing,” he said. “I am still a prisoner here.”

Her eyes welled, and she tensed her jaw, determined to stop her tears spilling over. “I know that,” she said. “But at least you’re not in a cell.”

“Am I not? What difference does it make whether there’s a bed?”

She steeled herself. “You’d rather I left you there?”

Karrick’s dark eyes grew stern. “I’d rather you left. I told you that.”

Imogen blew out a frustrated breath. She didn’t know what the hell he wanted from her. She didn’t even know what she wanted. She just knew it wasn’t this. Imogen remembered their time together as though only hours, not years, had transpired since. How did she bridge the gap that pain and loss created? How did she tend to wounds that lay beneath the surface of their skin? That no words, no empty promises could heal?

“I loved you,” she whispered, eyes falling to her lap.

Karrick sighed heavily beside her. As though the weight of her confession were too heavy to hold in his chest.

Imogen cleared her throat when he didn’t respond, his silence settling on her with sudden disappointment. She stood, smoothing her vestments. “I know that a clean room and proper meals change nothing.”

“Gen—”

“But I have been tasked with ensuring that the Prima’s presentation proceeds as expected. Your health is an integral part of that success.”

She stepped toward the door.

“Gen, I’m sorry,” Karrick said, running a hand over his matted hair.

She paused.

“I am grateful for your efforts,” he said behind her. “Though I wish thoughts of my well-being did not burden you. I wish…” he sighed again. “I wish a great many things.”

She turned. “My thoughts are the least of my burdens, Karrick. This was a small thing that I could do.”

He nodded, dark eyes boring into hers. “My words don’t change anything either,” he said. “But you should know that I loved you, too.”