Page 73 of The Forsaken

“Liar,” he said, and his amused look masked the pain in his voice.

It threatened to shatter her. “Why does it matter to you? And why is it so hard to believe I no longer want to see you?”

Edgar placed his lips a breath away from her own. “Because I know.”

“Edgar,” she said, choked on tears. “Y-You continue to break my heart.”

He blanched. “I—”

“You made a fool of me that day near Ermine Street,” she said, wiping a tear from her cheek. “You used your charm to trick me. On the day of Meghan’s wedding to Hartwell, I was ready to follow you anywhere, to do anything to be with you.”

Andromena could as well have been pointing a loaded pistol at his chest for the way he recoiled at every accusation. A spasm twisted his features, and he let her go.

“Andromena,” he croaked. “My God. I—”

“No!” She pushed his chest. “You don’t get to pity me. You don’t get to act as though you weren’t the one who broke my heart.”

Edgar stretched his palms up in supplications. “I am so damned sorry.”

Andromena slapped his hands. “Stop! I said—”

“I have been an unmitigated ass. A blackguard. I have insulted you, when you deserve only praise,” he said hoarsely. “Let me make amends. Please.”

Why must he beg and make this even more impossible? When he was arrogant and condescending, it was easier to convince herself it wouldn’t be so hard letting him go.

Tears burned her eyes, and she whipped her head to the left; not wanting him to see her misery.

“Enough,” Kerr hissed. “You will not cry.”

“If my crying bothers you, then—”

Kerr slammed both palms against the rock wall behind her head, sharp flit and rough tufa splintered around them. “You’ve got it wrong,” he rasped. “I hate your tears. They tear me apart, and I hate feeling torn apart.”

“O-Oh.”

His features softened. “Oh, darlin’.”

Kerr stroked his other palm along the line of her cheek. “I despise that no matter what I say or do, it is always wrong with you.” His old frustration flared back. “I’m a blasted rogue, damn it. I’m a charmer.”

Andromena caught the corner of her mouth between her teeth, but it was too late—he had already seen her tender smile.

Her throat buckled.

She would miss him so much.

“There will only ever be you, Edgar. Being around you i-is,” Her voice broke. She lifted her shattered eyes. “It is killing me.” It would kill her to never see him again—she knew. These past hellish days had offered a glimpse at her grim future. “Because I love you.”

He stared at her so long, she thought maybe every word she spoke to him had only been in her head.

Andromena dampened her lips. “Edgar—”

He held a finger up.

Andromena waited, allowed him to come to terms with what she shared.

And when he didn’t, she told him again. “I love you.” She took a step nearer.

He tripped in his haste to get away from her.