Broken Kingdom (Corium University Trilogy 3)

“Letting someone you love go is the hardest thing you will ever have to do.”

“I don’t—” I can’t even say it out loud. Many lies have passed my lips today, but I can’t say this one out loud.

Fuck, I love Aspen.

I love her, and now I have to forget about her. I have to let her go to keep her safe, and keeping my mother and sister safe is the most important thing in the world.

9

ASPEN

“This is not the way to the airport,” I say numbly.

I should probably be freaking out. Xander Rossi is taking me somewhere, and I have no idea where or why, nor do I have a way to defend myself or call for help. I should be terrified, but I can’t bring myself to care about anything right now.

“It’s not, but my private airstrip is this way.”

All I can do is nod. I don’t have the energy to do much else.

“My plane will take you straight to Tacoma. Lucas will be waiting there for you with a helicopter.”

I nod again. Even though a thank you rests on the tip of my tongue, I can’t force one past my lips.

I could never have anticipated things would end this way. Nothing could’ve prepared me for the heartache Quinton’s words left behind even after all we have been through. I know he loves me. Deep down, I know he does. So why is he sending me away?

That’s the question running through my mind until the car comes to a sudden halt. I look out the window, realizing we have arrived at the airstrip, where a small private plane is waiting for us.

I don’t know why my hand is shaking as I reach for the door handle to get out of the car. I don’t feel cold or scared. No, I’m back to being numb.

“Aspen.” Xander’s voice booms through the car. I turn my head to look at him. “You are stronger than you think.”

It’s odd to have Xander Rossi giving me any kind of encouragement, and I wish I could appreciate it more than I am, but at this moment, all I can do is give him a final nod before exiting the car.

The driver has already grabbed my suitcase full of stuff that doesn’t even belong to me. Honestly, I’m not sure what the maids packed while I was sitting on the bed like a zombie.

Ignoring the harsh winter wind, I climb the narrow staircase and walk onto the plane. I take a seat in one of the comfortable leather chairs and buckle up.

The plane takes off shortly after. For the most part, I’m left completely alone in the cabin. A stewardess comes to my seat asking me if I want anything to drink or eat a few times, but I can’t get anything down. Even the few sips of water I take sit heavy on my stomach. By the time we land in Tacoma, I don’t feel any better, not that I thought I would.

Just as Xander told me he would, Lucas is waiting for me at the airport. He takes my suitcase, and we walk toward the waiting helicopter. Besides a quick hello, Lucas hasn’t tried to make conversation, which I am grateful for. I’m sure Xander has already caught him up on everything anyway.

The helicopter takes us back to Corium. As we approach, I look down onto the snowy surface where the university is nestled into the mountain.

Memories of Quinton and I being out there in the forest enter my mind. He came for me then, gave me my first kiss, and brought me back to Corium. It might’ve hated me, but he didn’t want me dead. We shared so many moments, and now that’s all I have left. Memories from a time when we were something between enemies and friends. Whatever we were, it was better than what we are now.

We land on the helipad smoothly. The propellers are still spinning above when we exit into the unforgiving Alaskan air.

I wrap my arms around my body, pulling the jacket tight as I watch Lucas drag my suitcase out of the helicopter.

“I can get it from here.” I reach for my luggage, but Lucas shakes his head.

“I’ll take it. I’m going to show you to your new room.”

“What do you mean, new room?” He is mistaken if he thinks I’m going back to a shithole like before. “I’m done being pushed around. I’m going to my room, the one where I was before I left.”

“I’m sorry, Aspen. We already moved you into a new room.”

“I’m not going back—”

Lucas holds up a hand. “We’re not downgrading you. You’re going to like your new place. It’s really more of an apartment than a room.” He smiles.

“What’s so funny?” Is this a joke to him?

“Nothing is funny. I’m just happy for you. A lot of people in your shoes would be broken right now, meek and scared. You went through a lot, but you came out on the other side stronger.”