She peers at me over her mug, but doesn’t say anything.
“Emmet has to marry someone to become the ‘new’ Arthur. You’re the only girl in the running. If you ever wondered why he took such a shine to you, then that’s the reason. He’s also the reason Emmet pretended to be someone else when you first got here, to draw you in. It’s all been a scheme to get what he believes is rightfully his, that’s what I have to tell you.” I watch as she leans forward and sets the mug on the table.
She… isn’t reacting. She doesn’t even seem surprised.
“Okay, I won’t say anything until he claims me. I’m guessing I’m supposed to let him know?” She arches a brow, and I stare at her through hardened eyes. Did she already know?
“I think it’s expected of you, to blow up and call him out on it. To lose any trust you may have placed in the dickhead. Why aren’t you surprised?” I feel suspicious, someone’s already told her, but who?
“It’s not surprising, not if you think about it. I’m guessing this has something to do with my mom as well, the reason why he wanted me to figure out the truth behind my legacy. What can I say Thallon? It all makes sense.” She can’t meet my eyes and I know she’s lying, from that reaction alone.
I bark out a laugh, she stares at me, worry lining her eyes.
“You already knew, but I don’t think he told you. So, who was it?”
“I don’t want to get them in trouble, but I can’t deny you if you order me to spill their name.” Her eyes narrow as she looks at me, and this detached version is not the girl I thought I was starting to know.
“I think we’re past the point of me ordering you to do shit when we’re alone. I respect you for wanting to keep them safe. Are you nervous to finally be back with him?” I don’t know why I’m asking this, and vulnerability is clawing up my throat.
“I am. More so with Sir.” She leans into me, her head resting against my shoulder
“How so?” I brush the hair off her face and she sighs gently at my touch.
“Why would he want you to tell me, Thallon? What does he hope to gain? When he’s the one who made me the only obstacle left standing in Emmet’s way.”
She makes a damn good point, I just don’t have the answers we seek. I don’t know why he wants to keep her close, make her hate his son, and why he brought me here in case Emmet can’t rise to the occasion. It’s almost as if… he wants him to fail. Yet again, I wonder why he hates his mirror image so damn much, when he is exactly what he made him.
39
Claiming What’s Mine
Emmet
Finally, he’s back and standing front and center on the stage. Any minute now, he’ll release Star from Thallon’s hold and I will have her. She stares down at the floor, Daria’s hand in her’s, as we wait for his speech.
“I will make this quick, I am here to relinquish a claim and because I can’t seem to trust any of you children in my absence, she will also be claimed right now as well.” He stares a them all, daring them to complain, but we know better than to do any of that.
“Luna Carter, Thallon hereby relinquishes his claim over you. As previously mentioned however, you will not be given a twenty-four hour breathing window. Come to the stage.”
She stands up, sliding her hands across her knee length black skirt. She has a white blouse tucked into the waistband, and even beaten and bruised, she’s still a sight for sore eyes.
She walks up onto the stage, and stops beside dad, slightly behind, with her head down, and her hands held in front of her.
I stand up without any prompting, and stand on her other side, a slight smirk playing on my lips.
“You are hereby claimed by Emmet, welcome to the family. You are now One, and your belongings will be moved to your new room. We wouldn’t want you to stay in a room beneath your station.” He smiles coolly, before dismissing everyone. Once again, he didn’t add his famous ‘for now’ on the end. He must really think Luna will go the distance, but why is he letting everyone else think that too?
“That isn’t fair,” someone shouts out, and dad pauses at the end of the stage, casting his eyes over the girls.
“I will pretend I didn’t hear that, seeing as I have places to be. Remember though, old One, if you continue, there are worse things that can be done than become Twenty.” He walks away, and she’s the first out the door, banging her way through everyone, not caring who she strikes in her effort to get free.
I thread my arm around her waist, and lead her off the stage.
“Come on, Star. It’s time to go to my room. Just like I said.” I bury my head in her neck and I could be wrong, but I swear she stiffens.
“Sure, whatever you want, Prince,” she stares straight ahead but her words are like a bucket of ice cold water being poured over my head.
Prince? She said she would never call me that.
“What is your problem?” I grip her arm and spin her in to me, not that she even bothers to lift her head.
“Please, not now.” Her voice sounds so… dejected. What the fuck did Thallon do to her? I’m going to kill him, and I’ll smile while I do it.
I lead her up to my room, we have about an hour until the others will join us, so we can work out the kinks in our arrangement. Like my possessive and jealous nature. So much to look forward to. Not.
I pull her into my room, and throw the door closed. She jolts as it slams in place, but it’s the only reaction she has.
“Thallon can’t hurt you anymore, you’re safe now.” I keep my voice low, hoping it will smooth whatever damage he’s done, but all it does is jerk her head up to me. Her eyes threaten to flay me alive, yet, she still isn’t saying anything.
“Well, come on. Explain the look, and the name, and all this attitude you’re throwing my way.” I walk around her, as her jaw sets, and her shoulders roll back.
“I’m sorry, did you want your wife to behave differently?” No emotion in her voice, it’s void of everything. Her eyes, though, they hold all the things she wants to say.
“Come again? Did I miss the marriage or something?” I smirk and her nostrils flare. “Come on, Star, you can speak freely. No punishments or consequences.”
“You never wanted me because of how I looked, or the reaction I brought out of Sir. You only chose me because of who my mom is, because you can only marry from here if she’s a legacy. I’m sick of this whole thing now, but honestly, I give up. So, go ahead, Emmet, do your worst. Tell me whatever you want me to believe, and I’ll just nod my head and pretend it doesn’t affect me.” She turns around and walks away.
Shit! Fuck! Bullshit!
“Who told you?”
“Does it really matter? It’s the truth, isn’t it?” She moves over to the bed and perches on the edge.
“Yeah, it is.” My voice comes out hoarse, too many things are going on inside me, and I don’t like this feeling. I’m out of my depth, and I hate that she feels as though I lied to her. I mean, I did. It’s all I’ve done since the day we met, but things changed.