Page 149 of Forsaking All Others

“I bring nothing but suffering to any I have loved,” I murmur. “And to myself.”

“It sounds like you’ve loved others too, and it didn’t work out.”

“Only one other,” I muse, wondering why I’m sharing so much with someone whose heart and past are a closed book.

“They say it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. I wouldn’t know, but that’s what they say.”

“They’re wrong,” I mutter.

“Is that why you came on the Games to get a wife? You just need a partner who won’t cause you to suffer?”

“No, I told you, I didn’t choose to come onto these Games. It was something I had to do for a friend.”

“A friend you love?”

“A friend, and someone I love,” I murmur, knowing I’ve said too much and gritting my teeth.

“I guess that’s why you sometimes look sad. Although not as often as you did at the start of the Games.”

I shrug.

“I’ve lived a long life, I’m bound to have days where memories haunt me, Cat. Whether from those I hated or those I loved. Although for the latter, those are few and far between and unlikely to play any part in my future.”

“Then it’s fortunate I don’t need you to love me.”

She pulls her hand from mine and folds it with her other on her lap.

“You’ve always said that,” I frown. “So why are you angry?”

“I’m not angry.”

“Have I said something to offend you?”

“No,” she shakes her head, “but it’s getting cold. We should head inside.”

I study her profile for a long minute. She’s definitely angry about something. Perhaps I shared too much. She’s not to know she’s the only woman I’ve ever talked about Coquette with. Even Angelina wasn’t privy to my past, other than what Falcon might have told her. And he, too, only knew a little.

Rising, I frown as I follow her inside the cabin. It’s not cold outside, but something is definitely frosty with her.

When I reach the cabin, she’s pouring a drink.

“Cat?”

She spins to me and hands me the drink, but doesn’t look me in the eye.

“We should go to bed,” she murmurs.

“Pardon?”

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If I wasn’t so terrified about what I planned to do, I’d have laughed at his expression. But despite his talk of love and failure in the past, I have to convince him that he has a future with me.

Love or no love. I need him to choose me tomorrow night.

“Jag, I’d like to lie with you.”

I raise my eyes to his as he sifts through the meaning behind my words.