Chosen Fool (Forever Evermore #5)(76)
“I was planning to but I hadn’t gotten around to it yet because I knew you wouldn’t like it,” I stated honestly. I glanced up at King Collins. “Did Bindi save him?”
“Goddammit, that f*cking hurt!” the One growled instantly from behind me, his heated words even more slurred than before. “Take that damn gun away from him before I really do slit his throat.”
“Answer your question?” King Collins muttered dryly then reached with a quick hand and grabbed the gun I hadn’t been able to wrangle from Sin. He tossed it across the room—still keeping Sin immobile with his elbow and weight. Probably using his power too, his eyes now bright with brown light.
Sin grunted again, but he muttered, “You’re right, love.” Green eyes glared into mine from our low positions. “I don’t like it.” Green flicked up to King Collins. “Now, get the f*ck off me before I remove you myself.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Sin’s arms wrapped around me from behind, holding me tight and steady. Bindi worked on Frost and Farley. Roselle and Reese were now in my room, right along with Queen Cooper, her magic fixing all of the broken furniture while she muttered British accented obscenities.
King Collins’s eyes were firm on Sin. “You owe him an apology.” He stood in the middle of the room with King Zeller, holding his arms out to either side of the room. Sin and I stood on one side, the One, Roselle and Reese on the other. “In fact, I would say you owe him more than a few apologies.”
Bored words. “Your point being?”
“Sin, he thought you were here to attack Caro.” He glared. “Apologize.”
Apparently there were still a few things my King needed to learn about Sin.
Sin snorted. “I thought he was here to attack Caro, so it sounds about right for what we did to each other.” His grip tightened around my waist. “And I think it’s time for everyone to leave, so Caro and I can speak privately. She left a few issues out of her letter.”
“Sin…” King Collins growled. “Make an apology, now.”
Before this escalated any further—I was sure I knew what was about to erupt from Sin’s mouth—I held up the hand that had the One’s blood now dried and disgusting on my flesh. “He apologizes for using the One as target practice.” When Sin made a noise behind me, I stepped on his foot—hard. “As I’m sure the One apologizes for almost slitting his throat.” I waved a hand at the door. “Plus, I apologize for asking everyone to leave because your assistance has been much appreciated, but Sin and I do need to speak privately.”
As the One leaned heavily on Reese, his silver eyes glared across at us. “Is he going to stay in the same room as you?” And…there was more than a bit of jealousy lacing his tone. Obviously, the blood loss was keeping him from hiding emotions I hadn’t even known he felt for me.
Like clockwork, damn near everyone in the room froze and blinked back and forth between us…except King Zeller, who stared at the ground, and Roselle, who studied her nails.
“Oh,” Sin muttered, sounding awed. His voice was a whisper. “Caro, you’ve got to be f*cking joking.” I felt him move behind me, staring down at me. “This one, too?”
I cleared my throat, ignoring everyone but the One, keeping eye contact with him. “Yes. He’ll be staying with me.”
Instant reply. “In the same bed?”
“Yes. Although that’s really none of your business.”
His jaw clenched, his eyes flicking over my head to Sin then back down to mine. “I thought you had decided the two of you were never going to be together because he hasn’t found his mate, and you want him to be happy with her when he does.”
Ice…ice ran through my veins as I stared back at him when he spoke of the intimate thoughts he had stolen from me at the Temple. The room was deathly quiet, and Sin stiffened behind me while I glared into drooping silver eyes. My voice was the softest of tones as I murmured, “I think you should leave now.”
His nostrils flared. “If you want him to be happy—”
Sin interrupted, his voice stonily quiet, “What you’re saying isn’t news to us, but you still have no right to speak of our relationship.” He was completely frozen behind me. “I suggest you leave as Caro requested, and go rest. Even I can see you aren’t thinking clearly.”
The One’s mouth immediately opened, but he hesitated. He gazed at the ground before he nodded once. “Yes, I think I should rest.”
I wavered for the briefest moment as Reese and Roselle started helping him from the room, but still feeling cold inside, I finally said, “Leric…” I used his name, and it sounded weird coming from my mouth. The three of them stopped, his head snapping to me. I swallowed and said what I needed to so that nothing was hidden any longer, “I want you to know, I’m taking a break from romantic relationships. I need it.” I shook my head. I was finally being completely honest. I had only just now realized how much I needed to back up and re-evaluate. “I can’t handle it right now. Mentally. It’s just too much after everything that’s happened.” I stared directly into hardened silver eyes. “I hope you understand.”
Long moments of silence ensued, silver staring deeply into my eyes. He still kept his mouth shut. After what felt like another stalemate, he nodded once then began moving forward again with Roselle and Reese’s help, exiting my room.