CHAPTER 52
Eris swept into Dahlia’s chambers, and after two shallow niceties, she asked, “When are you going to tell him?”
“I tried. As you know, we were interrupted and—”
“So you try again. You can’t keep putting it off.”
Eris spun, not trying to hide his frustration. “Why do you care, Dahlia? Really, I’m wondering, why do you care? You keep everything so bottled up. Who are you to say anything to me about what I do or don’t say?”
She looked at him, her head angling slightly to the side, unaccustomed to being talked to so carelessly. “What brought all this on?”
“The wedding. When you pulled your hand away from mine.”
“Yesterday? That’s what’s consuming you? It wasn’t the time or place.”
“When Tyghan was ill this last time, you sat next to me on the couch and laid your head on my shoulder—in front of Quin and Melizan. In front of everyone. I thought that was a step, a new beginning, that we were finally moving forward in our relationship. That it meant—”
“We were in his private quarters and everything was bleak and looking hopeless. I—”
“So the only time you can publicly show me affection is when you’re feeling hopeless?
” He threw his hands up. “At least I know I serve some useful purpose for you. I don’t know what your past husbands and lovers did to make you so cynical about love, Dahlia, but I am not them.
If you can’t see that after eight years, maybe I am not the right man for you. ”
He turned to the dresser and began opening drawers.
“What are you doing?”
“I won’t keep paying for the sins of your past lovers. We need some time apart.”
“Eris, you’re being ridiculous.”
He turned to face her again. “Really? Do you realize, you have never once told me that you love me? I love you, Dahlia, but I need more, and if you can’t give it to me, it is best to part ways now.
I won’t be sleeping here anymore.” He slammed two drawers and opened a third, rummaging through it.
“Whatever you’re holding on to, it’s time to let it go.
If you won’t even give yourself a second chance, how can I expect one?
” He slammed the third drawer and turned.
Dahlia’s eyes were stone, her lips pulled tight. “I’ve burned through too many chances, Eris. Far more than two. And now, finally . . . what you and I have is perfect. It has been for years. I don’t want to lose it. I don’t want to break the magic between us.”
“Love is not magic, Dahlia. It is not a spell in one of your grimoires. I am a man, and I don’t need what’s in a book.
I need what’s in your heart, but if you’d rather dwell on your past failures, so be it.
” He glanced down at the belongings in his hands.
“Look at this, eight years of sneaking into your room when no one’s looking, and all I have to show for it is a razor, a hairbrush, and two wrinkled shirts. ” He shook his head and walked out.