I take a deep breath before trying to justify the damage I’ve caused. “Kai, you know it’s true. You’ve always known it was true. This”—I gesture between the two of us—“is a fantasy.” “Right. Pretend.” “No,” I say sternly. “Nothing about the way I feel is pretend, but…” I lift my hand, letting the diamond there catch the streaky light. “I’m still marrying your brother.” And I hate that. He’s shaking his head now, and the bite in his voice makes me wince. “And I’ll watch you two look down at me from the dais, nothing more than a weapon you can wield just like the king you killed had.” Disgust
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