dripping from fatal wounds. “You have no reason to even think about him. If I could remove him from your mind, I would.”
This time, she offers a sigh before speaking. “I’m sure you’re capable of it, but you wouldn’t hurt the family of the woman you’re about to marry.”
“Is that a challenge, Grace?” I can’t help but chuckle. She knows I won’t back down. And she knows I’m capable of far worse than her mind can even ponder.
“She won’t forgive you.” This is true. There’s no doubt in my mind.
“And I’ll never forgive you.”
16
Scarlett
When a knock comes on my bedroom door at six in the evening, I pad to it and pull it open before I have time to rethink it. On the threshold is Lycan in a pair of dark jeans and a light-blue button-up. The cuffs have been rolled up to his elbows while the top three buttons are undone, offering me a glimpse of smooth, tanned skin.
“Hi.” Those perfectly formed lips curl into a friendly smile before he continues, “I have dinner ready and was wondering if you’d like to join me.”
“Is that an order or an invite?” I test, offering him a glimpse of a grin before I school my features. He could just pick me up and walk down to the dining room with me, but he doesn’t.
“It’s an invite to join your fiancé for a meal. We’ll sit on the patio. It’s a lovely evening with the fire blazing,” he informs me. “Meet me in fifteen minutes. Choose something pretty from the closet.” He gives me a slight nod before making his way down the hall, leaving me staring at the empty doorway.
Once I shut myself in the bedroom again, I race to the closet to find something to wear. Thankfully, I had time to shower earlier and wash my long, wavy, red hair. The length almost hitting the base of my spine.
Flicking through the hangers, I find simple black pants with a matching long-sleeved, red blouse. It’s as if the whole wardrobe has been designed in outfits rather than items. I dress quickly before adding a dab of pink gloss to my lips. I line my eyes with black kohl and run the brush through my unruly hair.
I’m not sure why I’m nervous, but the flurry of wings in my belly is enough to have me giggling like a teenager about to head on her first date. I wish for a moment I could talk to Aelin and tell her what’s happened. Perhaps tonight I can ask Lycan if I could get my phone. I’m almost certain she’s sent out a search party for me. But then again, she might be partying in the city with enough guys to keep her busy for months.
Once I’ve breathed deeply to calm my nerves, I leave my bedroom and head downstairs to the hall to the dining room, where we spent breakfast together. The meal was tense but seeing Lycan do something so normal was eye-opening.
When I promised to give him a week to allow him to prove he’s not a monster, I didn’t think it would be possible. Yet each interaction with him has been filled with sexual tension rather than animosity. He’s been polite, almost gentlemanly.
But even so, I’m not about to go tripping over myself because he’s nice to me. It doesn’t change the fact that he only has me here because of my father. And that’s also something I need to learn more about. I have to know what’s happened between the two men in my life.
Why did my father force Lycan’s hand?
Did he know what would happen to me?
By the time I reach the glass doors that have been opened, allowing the cool evening breeze to sweep through the dining room, I have more questions than ever before. But what I find waiting for me takes my breath away.
The pillars that form a picturesque frame to the garden have been strung with white fairy lights. The table set for two has four tealight candles dancing in the gentle breeze. And the two place settings are perfect, waiting for us to take our seats.
Lycan picks up a wine glass from the cotton tablecloth and hands it to me. The red liquid shimmers under the soft illumination. If I were ever to tell someone about my dream date, this would be it. It’s as if Lycan has burrowed himself in my mind and stolen every thought I’ve had about spending an evening with