Read Online Dark One Rising by Leandra Martin - Free Book Online Page B

eyes were swollen and red. She padded to the door and undid the latch. He turned the handle and entered just as she was crawling back into bed. She pulled the covers up to her chin, curling up in a fetal position. He came over to her bed and sat on the edge of it, staring at her, his eyes filled with sadness.
    He reached across the bed and brushed back a curl that had come out of its pin-up and fallen in her eyes. Then he wiped a tear away as it ran down her cheek.
    “What do you want, Kevaan?”
    “I want to talk. I had to come and see you and make sure you were alright.”
    “Do I look alright to you? What does it matter to you anyway? You lied to me, Kevaan. You said he’d never make a decision like that without you. So if that’s true, then you went along with it. Then you said you wanted father to tell me because you didn’t want to be the bearer of such news, but you didn’t tell me because you didn’t want me to know that you are on his side. You think I’m odd too. You saw this coming but you did nothing. He practically attacked me that night, and you still let this happen. I don’t wish to see you. Leave!” She sat up and reached a hand across the bed and was going to slap him, but he grabbed it and held her back.
    He held both of her hands in his. “Mel, I did not want this for you, you know that. It’s my fault that you’re who you are. I’m the one that thought teaching you such unladylike things would help protect you, but instead it has ruined your chances for love.”
    “So, you think I’m weird too, huh? You think that no man could love me because I’m not a real woman?”
    “No, that’s not what I meant. I think you have many wonderful traits that would make you endearing to someone. You’re beautiful and funny, and you handle the people of this kingdom with love and respect, and they adore you. You’re a real princess, one who can make the people happy and keep the peace. That’s not something a lot of people can do, men or women. You make a wonderful princess, and I know you would make a wonderful wife to whoever would see in you what I see. You will find him.”
    “It hardly matters now. I’ve been betrothed to a monster.”
    “I don’t think father knows what he’s done. I think there is something terribly wrong. I’m sorry I have put this burden on you, but don’t ever think that I wanted this for you. When father told me today, my heart was broken. I knew nothing until right before you did. He didn’t include me in his decision, and I wasn’t asked to be present when he gave your hand. I would have stopped it then. I don’t think he’s himself these days. I think something has happened that he hasn’t told me. He would never do something so horrible to the daughter he loves if there wasn’t something wrong.”
    “I don’t care about the reason why, only that it’s done.”
    She started to cry again. She hated breaking down in front of people, but it never bothered her when she did it in front of Kevaan. The few times she had ever cried, it was only ever him who saw it.
    “Please, Mel, don’t cry. I promise I’ll do something to get you out of this.”
    “You cannot. Even I know how the world works, Kevaan. I’m not naïve enough to think that once a pact of honor has been made, it can be broken so easily. Father will remain a man of his word, no matter the cost, and Fallon will hold him to it. Trying to get out of the bargain would only infuriate Fallon, and that puts father, and you, in danger. I know what kind of power he has. I’ve seen the evil he wields. He’s frightening. I fear he has the darkness on his side. The only way to get out of this pact is if I leave, without father knowing, and never come back. I threatened to do it, but I don’t think he believed me. He thinks I would never leave you. Father will know nothing about my departure. If he is unaware, Fallon cannot claim treachery.”
    Kevaan looked scared. “Melenthia, you cannot leave. I