Thousands (Dollar 4)

The muscles in my back relaxed a little. So that was how Jethro had known things about us. He must be a dialect master or hidden body language expert.

My God, what my mother would do to study him and learn his skills at reading people.

Jethro wrapped an arm around Nila, his fingers sinking into her dress as if touching her wasn’t just about love but also about support.

She glanced at him with such adoration in her eyes, I was uneasy at intruding.

Tearing his gaze back to me, Jethro murmured, “Take the diamond, Pimlico. It’s yours. Trade it for the item Mr. Prest had my staff urgently create.” Guiding his wife toward the exit behind them, he added, “Also, my advice…if you love him back, I wouldn’t wait for him to screw up whatever you have. It’s been my experience that men overthink such things. Sometimes, all it takes is for a woman to show them that no matter how bad things are, forgiveness is easy if there is love.”

Nila smiled at me, a mixture of excitement and understanding on her face. “Whatever it is my husband mentioned to you, trust him. Talk to your man, or if that doesn’t work…seduce him.”

Laughing quietly with their heads bowed, they left the room leaving me alone once again with their priceless stones.

Only now, I didn’t have the task of stealing. I had the momentous quest of accepting a diamond that’d been gifted.

I truly didn’t want to claim it.

But now I felt rude if I didn’t.

Would they know if I left it?

Would they care if I did?

So many rainbow pebbles were scattered around the room, I doubted they’d even know.

As I headed toward the exit, I scooped up the diamond and clutched it tight.

Whatever Jethro meant about Elder loving me, whatever wrong he believed Elder had done…I couldn’t permit it to continue.

Elder left me at the prison because he thought I hated him for making me speak. He’d heard what I’d said to my mother about Alrik wanting to control my mind and twisted it onto his own actions.

He wasn’t innocent in that regard.

He had forced me to talk.

He had layered me with ultimatums and timelines.

But he’d done it all while falling in love with me.

He loves me…

I drifted through the door in a trance.

Was it wise to trust Jethro’s declaration? How could a complete stranger know?

But he was right—Elder was overthinking and ruining what was simple between us.

Love was simple.

It was life that made it complicated.

And I was done waiting for him to figure it out.

I’d find the courage to ask him if he loved me because I loved him, and it wasn’t some sort of platonic or patriotic or problematic kind of love.

It was honest and true and completely entwined with lust.

I loved him as my friend and protector.

I loved him as my romantic partner.

I loved him as any wife would love her husband.

If I could stare him in the eyes and make him believe that…maybe then he’d be able to accept whatever he was running from.

Jethro’s voice repeated as I floated down the corridor beneath massive gold-stitched tapestries: “He loves you, you know.”

As much as I would love confirmation from Elder, I didn’t need it.

I knew he loved me every time he touched me. I felt it in his stare, his touch, his voice, his kiss. Even in his refusal and rage.

I knew he loved me every time he apologised or pushed me away or hurt my feelings by trying to protect me even when we both throbbed with barely restrained desire.

I knew he loved me before he knew.

He loved me.

I loved him.

I didn’t need anyone else to tell me.

I know.

I trust.

It’s true.

He loves me…

And that was the most incredible thing of all.

Chapter Thirty-One

______________________________

Elder

I FOUND PIM drifting down the corridor with her hand clutched tight and a faraway look upon her face. Her mask hid yet more of her secrets; her dress draping her in the many bruises she’d survived.

Once again, the drive to know her thoughts ripped through me. Questions demanded to be asked. An interrogation whispered to be performed.

Her crown mask drove me insane. I hated that it hid parts of her from me. I despised that her stunning face was barred.

I knew my tension was due to my racing, complicated brain, but I couldn’t stop blaming her for doing this to me. For getting inside my heart where I had no defences left. For making me fall when I couldn’t afford to.

I would never be free of her; therefore, I deserved to know all of her. But if I was to ever know all of her, I would have to pry her secrets out one by one.

And I’d made an oath never to take what wasn’t mine again.

No matter the pain.

No matter the pressure.

I would stand by my decision to love her but from a distance. Sex would only undermine my control. I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from rifling through her memories. I wouldn’t be able to stop myself period.