Broken Dove (Fantasyland #4)(186)

Ouch.

That had to sting.

I didn’t get to share that, she kept talking.

“In his pursuit, I also got to know him. And I liked what I knew. You’re right. He is a good man and he treated me in ways I liked. Then, after he had me, all that just…went away.”

I felt my mouth get tight.

Stupid Hans.

“I know that had to feel awful,” I said, reaching out and grabbing her hand.

Her fingers curled around mine as she agreed, “It did. It hurt a whole lot. And it made me angry when he was suddenly interested in me again after what happened in Brunskar. It was like all that went before was play. He’d asked about me, as if he wished to get to know me, but it was a means to an end. He didn’t wish to get to know me. I don’t think he even listened. He just did it to get what he wanted. Then, when what occurred at Brunskar occurred, suddenly, it was like he decided I was worthwhile—”

“When you were that before,” I finished for her.

“I hope so,” she replied.

“You were,” I assured her. “You are.”

“I hope so, Miss Maddie,” she whispered.

I squeezed her hand and leaned in. “You were. You are,” I repeated firmly and I leaned closer. “I’ve learned very recently that there are things inside us we have to offer that the way those around us behave, how they treat us, can make us not see that we have them to give. I would think, sweetheart, that it also goes the other way around. That those around us have things that make them blind to what we have to offer, until something happens where suddenly”—I clenched her hand in mine— “they see.”

She said nothing so I kept going.

“And we can just say that what happened at Brunskar, what you and Meeta did for me, was a very big thing. Truthfully, in normal times, you showing that kind of bravery would never have the chance to happen. And Hans is a man who very much values bravery, loyalty, things you displayed in abundance. So he may never have known all there is to you because he wasn’t opening his eyes to see but also because there wasn’t the opportunity for him to see just all there is.”

I took a breath before I laid out the hard part.

“But I have to admit, the way you explain it, I hate to say this, it does sound like Hans was out just to have some fun.”

“Yes,” she said softly.

“But then he saw you.”

She studied me a moment before she declared, “You want me with him.”

I shook my head. “I want you to have what you want. What you deserve. I just can’t help but think that you wanted him before, very much so, and although I totally get why you wouldn’t want him now, I can’t forget how you felt before. But in the end”—I gave her hand another squeeze—“I just want you to be happy.”

“I…well…” she stammered then looked away and suddenly exclaimed, “Oh blast!”

“What?” I asked.

Her eyes came back to mine. “Now I’m angry he stopped.”

I blinked before I repeated, “What?”

“I am…I have…well, Miss Maddie, I must admit, I wanted to know this time his interest was genuine, was more, so I was”—she made an embarrassed scrunchy face—“testing him.”

Oh boy.

“And he gave up,” she continued.

Crap.

“Now I don’t know what to do,” she confided. “Because now he’s only doing what I told him to do, which is leave me be, and not doing what I want him to do, which is work to win me.”

“Do you want me to have a word with him?” I asked, hoping she didn’t because Hans liked me but I had a feeling he wouldn’t like me getting involved.

Still, I’d do it.

For my Loretta.

To which she immediately (and thankfully) cried, “No!”

“Okay,” I said hurriedly. “I won’t.”

“I’ve made a terrible mistake,” she declared. “He’s very handsome and he’s of a House and since Brunskar, when he wasn’t being bossy and annoying, he was very sweet. I was lucky to catch his eye in the first place.”

Oh no she didn’t.

“That’s where you’re absolutely wrong,” I told her. “He was lucky to earn your attention. You’re lovely, honey, every part of you. Inside and out.”

She smiled a small smile as her hand in mine squeezed but then the smile faded and she looked back to her knees.

“I don’t know what to do.”

“Well, I’m no relationship expert, not by a long shot,” I started and she looked back at me.

“A long shot?”

“A….well, let’s just say I’m not very good at this kind of thing,” I explained.

“But, Lord Apollo adores you.”

He did indeed.

I couldn’t bite back the grin that reminder caused, so I didn’t.

Then I kept on target.

“What I’m saying is, although I landed my guy, and he’s a good one, it was a bumpy road before that where I made some mistakes. So, take my advice knowing that. But I’m thinking you both need to quit playing games and get real.”

Her brows drew together. “Get real?”