angle my body, dodging his fist. “I know how much her freedom to choose means to her. I could’ve pushed harder, begged her to stay, made love to her, told her everything in my heart, but it wouldn’t change the truth—half her heart is with another man. Nothing I do will change that. If I continued to push for her to choose one of us, I know who her choice would be.”
Kendrick tests me with a jab, cross, hook combo. Blocking and sidestepping, I avoid the hits.
“You really believe she’d choose Matheas over you?”
Belore’s words taunt me, replaying in my mind—She loves Matheas more and will always choose him over you. Releasing my frustration, I throw my fists one after the other. Kendrick backsteps, doing his best to dodge my hits. When I almost clock his jaw, I drop my arms and take a breath.
“Before we knew Matheas was alive, our plans were suitable for her. We’d marry, she’d live in my palace, we’d rule Anauka and the Free territory together. At the time, the solution fit the problem. With Belore’s death and finding out Matheas is alive, everything changed. I can’t keep her bound to our arrangement. She doesn’t need me anymore, not when everything she wanted is available to her now.”
“You think you had to let her go?” Brows tightening, Kendrick’s head cocks to the side.
“Before me, she had a plan. She’d have Matheas at her side, and she’d rule her territory without the influence of a man. Now that she’s finally free to reign and be with Matheas, how can I expect her to choose me, to live here, to compromise her reign? He can protect her without territory obligations interfering. He can give her his love without politically affecting her reign. Why wouldn’t she choose him? He’s the better man for her, and he’s who she’s always wanted.”
Saying the words twists the violent grip squeezing my heart. Letting Fiora leave is a decision I regret. Watching her rover craft ascend into the sky brought back the same pain as when Belore stole her from me. When I looked at her, I saw a future, a woman I could share it with, and the hope of happiness. Why do I continue to believe in something I can’t have? Every woman I love is ripped away from me before our future can even begin together. Why pretend Fiora would love me as much or more than Matheas? Asking her to only love me, to choose me, was the hope of a foolish man desperately in love.
As I raise my fists, Kendrick adjusts his stance and lifts his own. Keeping a rhythm, I jab, cross, hook, then repeat. He picks up the pattern, dodging, then striking back the same. When I put more fervor into my swings, Kendrick backsteps out of my reach.
“Between the two of us, you’ve always been the reasonable one, the one to think through the consequences of actions, the one to consider everyone else before yourself. But what is it you want? What is your heart screaming that your mind is telling you to ignore?”
Wiping at a bead of sweat across my brow, I let myself listen, let myself hear the voice I’ve been refusing to acknowledge. Rubbing the tension in the back of my neck, I meet Kendrick’s expectant gaze.
“That I made a mistake letting her leave without me and without knowing everything I feel. I can lie to myself, but I’d never be able to let her go. I don’t want to live without her.”
Kendrick tugs at the strap, removing his hand wrap.
“I’m taking a trip back to Anauka. There’s a horse race coming up I’ve decided to enter. You should join me.”
Unwrapping my glove, I stare at Kendrick, the corner of my mouth pulling back.
“I’ll meet with Everett and begin our travel preparations.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
FIORA
As the rover craft descends, I stare out the window, taking in the magnificent Anaukin palace with its white pillars, royal blue exterior, and glittering, gold, gilded accents—a wonderful contrast to how I last saw it. Pinching my lip between my teeth, my belly churns with nerves. I’ve never been more conflicted. It was excruciating to leave Ryker, yet I’m pleased to finally be home in Anauka after all my time away.
As I exit the rover craft, Matheas, Pollo, Ria, and many other familiar faces are standing outside the palace entrance, waiting for me and my family. My steps quicken as I near them, happy to see them all.