"I was using words, but you ignored me!" I cried out, tears glistening in my eyes. "I’m sorry, okay? You can be angry, but ignoring me... I can’t deal with that."
"You don’t get to decide how I react, Eamon," He said coldly. "I make that decision. You’ve apologised, and I’ve heard you."
"So you won’t forgive me?" A tear rolled down my cheek.
"Maybe if this were the first time, I would have considered it," Kael replied with brutal honesty. "But you’ve made a habit of not caring about anyone, including yourself. While I’m not angry anymore, I don’t want to associate with someone like you."
"That’s not fair," I whispered, as tears rolled down my cheeks. "I do care. I care about all of you. But you know I can’t use my phone when classes are ongoing, and I’m still trying to get used to having one."
"If you truly cared about that, you would check your phone at the end of each lesson. I do that to ensure I haven’t missed a call from you or a text. I am intentional about the people I consider my friends, and when I don’t see that energy being returned, I withdraw."
"Aren’t you overreacting, just because I didn’t answer my phone? The most important thing is that I am safe. That should matter more. Besides, I left you a note before I left your room that day."
"Why did you leave in the first place? Why exactly did you want to go to your brother’s room? I’ve made a lot of changes in my life, in everything I do to accommodate you, Eamon. The least I expect is to be treated like it matters. I don’t inconvenience myself for anybody but I’ve moved mountains for you, Eamon..."
"And I appreciate it, I swear. I wanted you to rest more, and you know what happens whenever we’re together."
He stared at me for a few minutes. "You’re just taking advantage of my feelings. You know I cannot say no to you. You know I care so much about you, and you think I cannot shut out these feelings? I’m not stupid, Eamon. I’ll not be like one of those people who let go of their common sense when they like someone."
I stared at him, wondering what to say at this point that would soothe him, but before I could respond, Slater entered the kitchen and immediately noticed my tears. He rushed to comfort me, wrapping his arms around my shaking form.
"What happened?" he asked, shooting Kael a sharp look.
"Just some overdue honesty," Kael replied, moving toward the kitchen door.
I pulled away from Slater’s embrace. "I’m fine," I hiccupped. "I’m fine."
He nodded and pulled out a different brand of heat suppression pills from his pocket. "Try these instead," he said gently. "The pharmacy lady said they’re stronger."
As I took the new medication, Rhett entered the kitchen. He was dressed up.
"Where are you going?" Kael asked, pausing in the doorway.
"To have some fun," Rhett replied with a bitter smile. "I don’t think I’ll be having much of that in the near future."
"Then it’s true that you’re getting married?" Kael’s eyes widened.
Rhett nodded grimly. "Yep. My father confirmed it this morning. Her name is Lydia Marlowe from Night Moon Pack, and they’re expecting us tomorrow for the official introduction."
"Wow," Kael shook his head. "When he brought it up, I thought he was just making conversation. B-but do you love this, Lydia? Have you met her before? Is she your fated mate? You didn’t mention her to us."
"One question at a time, Kael and No, I don’t love her, it’s all an arrangement. I met her at the hospital after my surgery, and she’s not my fated mate. My Dad is doing this to make sure I produce an heir before I die from this condition."
"Can you stop talking about dying?" I blasted out, unable to control myself.
Rhett completely ignored my outburst and continued addressing Kael. "Would you like to come along? Loosen up a bit, maybe get laid tonight. You’ll find the girls in the city aren’t as prudish as the Ebonvale girls."
"I’m not interested in women," Kael replied, "but I’ll come with you. I need to clear my head."
Rhett nodded and turned to Slater. "You’re coming too?"
"Yeah, but later," Slater replied. "I need to get Eamon settled in first before heading out."
"You better," Rhett retorted with a sneer before both he and Kael left the kitchen.
Now alone with Slater, I turned to him with tears in my voice. "Kael is acting like I’m some kind of disease, and Rhett is just ignoring me."
"Give Kael a break, Charis," he said gently. "You’re difficult to resist at this point, and Kael is just scared of the thousand emotions running through him because of you. He’s never had to deal with this before, and he barely knows women. So, he can’t tell that you’re a girl the way Rhett did. As for forgiveness, Kael tends to hold grudges. It’s an annoying flaw, but I’m glad he’s not perfect."
"Do you think Rhett would ever forgive me?" I asked tentatively. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ ɴovᴇl(F)ɪre.ɴet
"He would for sure. Rhett is not capable of hurting anyone. He drove me to the pharmacy and picked out the heat suppression pill."
"He’s not angry at you?"
"He was, but I made him see it’s not my fault as well as yours. We had history; there was no way I could deny you at that point, knowing you might face a worse consequence. When will you tell Kael? Now that the truth is out, maybe you should tell him."
"I don’t know!" I sighed wearily. "Kael might never talk to me."
"He might take it in a stride compared to Rhett, you never can tell, but the only problem is, he might report you to Headmistress Vale. Kael has a kink to always do right and play by the rules, no matter who you are. He’s built that way."
"So I shouldn’t tell him yet?"
"It’s your choice, Charis," he said slowly, tilting my jaw towards him and pressing a kiss on my lips. "On one hand, I feel happy that Rhett knows, honestly, and maybe I would feel better if Kael’s let in. I can’t promise what the outcome is, but if you tell Kael the real reason why you had to change your identity, maybe he’ll understand."
"He says he likes me," I whispered.
"That is as clear as day. I’ve known Kael for two years, and he’s never looked at any woman the way he does you. Not even his girlfriend, Rita, gets him to do half the things he’s done for you. Now, before I forget..."
He paused and pulled out a gift from his pocket. "Eleven more days before adulthood, happy birthday in advance."
I took the gift from him with a smile. "Thank you, Slater and I’m sorry about yesterday, I do want you very much, I was just oversensitive."
"I’ll come later in the night, when everyone’s asleep," he said with a wink and stepped back, moving towards the cupboards. "Do you want anything to eat?"
"Maybe just a snack," I replied. "I’m not in the mood for anything solid."
"You got it." He came back to me and kissed the top of my head. "Go to your room and relax, I’ll bring the snacks to you."