Chapter 42 #3
Inej shoved her fingers into her hair, raking back the long locks from her face.
“I used that time by myself to think. That’s when I decided that I was going to tell you everything.
If I discovered you were the monster Gita claimed, then that was my fault.
If you weren’t, then I wouldn’t have taken an innocent life.
I knew once I laid out the facts of my arrival that you would ask me to leave Navara.
I deserved nothing less for my duplicity.
I stood at your window, searching for you.
That’s when I saw you and Jalall enter his home.
I suspected you’d be visiting me soon. Instead, it was Chanda who said she was taking me to you. ”
“She knew I’d track the two of you.” He fisted his hands at the reminder of how easily his childhood friend had manipulated everyone. “She knew every move I’d make and planned for it.”
Inej picked at one of her fingernails. “I’m so sorry I was involved in any of this.”
“You were tricked.”
“I should’ve known. I should’ve seen through Gita.”
Manu shook his head. “You were hurting.”
“You almost died. I watched that machine d—”
“But I didn’t,” he said over her. “I’m standing here because I have friends neither Chanda nor Gita knew about.”
Inej’s face crumpled. “I began this by coming here.”
“Don’t carry that. This would’ve happened without you. You were manipulated. We both were.”
She drew in an unsteady breath. “Then let me apologize for stabbing Chanda.”
“Why?” he asked, confused.
“She was your friend and I sh—”
Manu took a step toward her, shaking his head. “There’s no need. You were fighting for your life.”
“I heard you shout.”
“Because I thought she was about to kill you and knew I wouldn’t get there in time to stop her.”
Inej stared at him for a moment before she whispered, “Oh.”
“Don’t you know? Can’t you see how I feel about you?
” He’d had a speech planned, laid out with all the reasons she should stay.
One where he would offer friendship, and, hopefully, eventually, win her over to show her that love existed.
But having her before him, vulnerable and so damn beautiful it hurt to look at her, made him forget every word.
Her gaze searched his as the pulse at her throat beat rapidly.
He was scaring her. He could see it in her eyes and the way she gripped her hands together so tightly her knuckles turned white. But he couldn’t stop now. For better or worse, he was going to lay it all out. “I love you.”
Her lips trembled before she pressed them together.
“I knew you were hiding something from the beginning. I suspected you were more than you claimed, and while I could’ve—and probably should’ve—pushed for answers, I didn’t.
I was drawn to you, and I didn’t mean to let that attraction get in the way.
No matter what I told myself, no matter how I tried to stay away from you, I couldn’t.
” Manu drew in a breath and slowly released it.
“I don’t know what will happen with the Masters.
They’ll retaliate, but I don’t know when or how.
I offered Navara as a safe place for you.
I can’t guarantee that anymore. What I can promise is that I’ll protect you until my last breath. Please stay.”
“You want me to stay?” she asked, so quietly he’d barely heard her.
It was nearly impossible not to reach for her, but he kept his hands to himself. She would have to come to him. “I’ve never told another woman that I loved her. Why would I say it now and then want you to leave?”
“Because of everything I’ve done,” she began.
He shook his head. “You lied. We’ve all done that for one reason or another. Regardless of your reasoning, you protected me against the assassin. You even tried to get out of hurting me at Shaldorn. Time and again, you’ve demonstrated that the last thing you want to do is harm me.”
She said nothing as she stared at him.
“I love you, Inej. From your self-perceived rough edges to the walls around your heart. I love your smile, that glorious hair of yours. I love the way my shirts look on you and how you kiss me. You found a place here. I want you to stay. Even if it isn’t with me.”
A single tear dropped onto her cheek. She dashed it away and sniffed.
He could feel her slipping away from him. Manu tried once more. “I know you don’t believe in love. Give me a chance to show you that it does exist.”
She turned away, and he dropped his chin to his chest, his eyes closing in defeat. He felt her near and opened his eyes as she came to stand before him.
“I know it exists.” She took one of his hands into hers. “You’ve shown me each time you kissed me, protected me, and fought for me. I see it in your eyes when you look at me. I feel it in your hands when you touch me. I hear it when you say my name.”
Manu was almost too afraid to believe what he heard.
She placed her other hand on his chest. “If I hadn’t wanted to gain your trust, I never would’ve given in to the desire to know your body. I was yours from that first kiss. I just didn’t realize it until it was almost too late.”
“Does that mean you’ll stay?”
“Aye, I’m staying.”
A big smile spread over his face as he yanked her against him, their lips meeting in a scorching, passionate kiss.
“I love you,” he said between kisses.
She cupped his face and looked into his eyes. “I love you.”
Manu lifted her into his arms and stalked to the bedroom, where he intended to spend the next several days undisturbed, loving her.