Chapter 132
~ ROWAN
I returned to my office, head bent over a stack of papers as I tried to focus on anything except the fact that I had laid all my cards out in front of Nyssa.
There was a possibility she would see all the evidence and still choose to believe that I’m the villain in the story.
The thought unnerved me because for once, I did not know how to move forward, I did not hold all the cards. Nyssa was unpredictable, especially with everything that happened recently. There was no telling how she would react or how she would feel, no telling what would happen now.
“Rowan, I have been trying to mind link you for ages. Where the—” Aria fell silent as she walked into my office, lips pressed down into a frown. “You don’t look very good. Are you alright p>
I nodded. “Did you need something p>
“I was going to tell you that I got a head start on everything. Our spies are spreading the truth of what happened as we speak. Henry’s pack will not have the chance to do anything but accept the truth p>
“Okay. What about his Luna? Is that something we have to worry about p>
She shook her head. “According to my sources, Henry never mated with her. She was nothing more than a girlfriend. She has no claim to the pack and their council is currently scrambling to find someone worthy to take over their Alpha position. It should keep them busy a while p>
“Good p>
“Would you like me to keep you updated p>
“No p>
She frowned, her arms crossing over her chest. “Is there something wrong? You’re not being very vocal right now. I’m worried p>
“There is nothing to worry about p>
Unfortunately, she did not believe me. She walked deeper into the room, taking the chair opposite my table as she leaned forward on her elbows, her eyes searing holes into my skull.
“If this is about Nyssa, you don’t have to worry. It’s barely been a day since she returned. It will take some time for her to get back into a rhythm but she will be fine, I promise. Soon, she’ll be comfortable enough to talk about everything that happened and you can both live happily ever after as a mated couple p>
I scoffed. “That’s not what I’m worried about p>
“Then what?” she asked, hands thrown up in defeat. “I don’t know what’s going on with you but p>
“I gave her the files p>
Silence stretched thin between us.
Aria blinked multiple times, as if trying to make sense of everything I said. She opened her mouth to speak but the words would not come out. She ran her hands through her hair, exhaling a ragged breath through her nose.
“Why the fuck would you do that?” she hissed. “You could have brushed it off p>
I shook my head, a bitter laugh escaping me. “If you think Nyssa will brush anything off then clearly you don’t know her very well. She doesn’t trust me p>
“And you think this will help p>
“I think this is a step forward in the right direction,” I cut her off sharply. “I think this is a win for honesty. Trust me, I would have preferred if she did not know what kind of depravity her parents were a part of but I didn’t have a choice p>
“You always have a choice p>
“Not if that choice involves losing her p>
Aria went deathly still as my words echoed through the room, her eyes widening in surprise.
I cursed low, running my hands through my hair as I pulled myself to my feet, exhaling deeply as I tried to calm my raging heart.
“She was going to leave me,” I murmured softly. “Before all of this happened, she was going to walk away because of what I did to her parents p>
“It was justified p>
“She does not know that,” I hissed. “Perhaps if she can understand then maybe it will help my chances, maybe she will not be so quick to go running p>
Aria rose to her feet, slowly making her way over to me. “You will ruin whatever memories she has of her parents p>
“And I will do it with a fucking smile on my face because anything is better than losing her. I do not care who I have to upset or what I have to fucking tear down to keep her here because I will. I will not let her get away from me again even if it means I have to tie her to my fucking bed p>
Aria’s lips curled. “Some would say that’s toxic p>
“I know p>
It was the most unhinged thing I had ever said and yet, I did not regret it one bit.
I’d be damned if I let Nyssa walk away from me. Those days without her were some of the worst of my life. I did not know when or how, but she burrowed into my brain and took residence there. I could not pull her out even if I tried and he good thing was that I did not want to try.
I wanted her.
Aria sighed, resting her head against my shoulder.
For a long moment, neither of us spoke, we stared out the large window, looking down at the courtyard and everyone moving on and out; the maids carrying flowers and the soldiers doing their business.
“Is that not Eric?” Aria asked.
I followed her line of sight and sure enough, Nyssa’s guard stood in the middle of the courtyard, one hand on his hip and the other shielding himself from the sun. He was speaking to a maid with long black hair that was braided over her shoulders and elfish features… Nyssa’s maid.
“What do you think they’re talking about?” Aria asked and I shrugged. I didn’t particularly care.
They seemed comfortable with each other. She did not lean away from him and he seemed to smile as he spoke to her.
I wrenched my eyes away from them, turning back to the stack of documents on my desk.
“I have a lot to do,” I said firmly, wiping my hands on my thighs. “Nyssa will take some time in that room. Rather than spend my time fretting, I should get a head start on all the work I left unattended p>
“Would you like some help p>
I thought about it for a moment before shaking my head. “I’d rather do it alone, thank you p>
She pursed her lips but nodded, squeezing my shoulder affectionately before heading towards the door.
She stopped with her hand on the knob and turned to me. “For what it’s worth, I really this goes the way you want it to p>
“I hope so too p>