Demon Dark Read Free Page B

there something else I should know? Have you somehow been spying on me too?
    The words were bitter.
     
    We must have been safe from capture by the Nest to risk a fire. Daphne looked disinterested in its upkeep, and I suspected Breandan had made her tend it for me.
     
    I have no ulterior motives, and I do genuinely care,
    she said.
    I watched you sleep. I saw how Tomas cared for you.
     
    Stop,
    I said flatly.
     
    Stop what?
     
    Don t say his name and don t talk about him.
    Uncomfortable in my own skin, I sat up, shifted about as heat crept up my neck and spilled out on my cheeks. I glued my eyes on the ground as memories of Tomas betrayal flashed before my eyes, his heartfelt apology. I pushed it all away.
    It s too soon.
     
    She snorted.
    I ll say whatever I like. I will honor his memory as is required. He was my mentor for many years, I need to remember him.
     
    My gaze snapped to hers.
    You think he deserves honor?
     
    She calmly placed the stick down and crossed her arms. She sat cross-legged as well and looked like a child she was so small in frame, smaller than me.
    You don t?
     
    He kidnapped me. He fed on me.
     
    He saved your life. He protected you from the Vampire Queen and kept your presence secret from one of the most powerful beings on this earth.
     
    I breathed out hard.
    I wouldn t be close to Cael s stronghold if he hadn t used his compulsion and tricked me into bringing us here.
     
    Daphne uncrossed her arms and let them fall to her lap. Her expression was incredulous.
    Always so quick to blame others, aren t you? Why don t you start accepting responsibility for mistakes you ve made. I think you ll find you ll harbor less guilt over things that are not your fault and not under your control.
     
    Stunned, I stared at her.
    I don t
     
    She held up her palm, and I scrambled for words.
    Tomas death was not your fault. He brought it down on his own head when he chose to take you.
    She jabbed a finger at me.
    It was your own damn fault when you didn t send him away when you had the chance to. It was your fault when you kissed him and encouraged him to fall in love with you knowing that you could never feel the same. But Rae?
    Pressing my lips together, I looked up.
    It was his fault when he incurred the wrath of Breandan. That was something primal you couldn t have controlled, even though you tried.
    She sighed.
    And failed so spectacularly.
     
    I pressed my eyes closed, once again seeing Breandan grip Tomas head and heave. I bit my lip to numb the pain, forced the hurt of Tomas betrayal to help me accept how he died.
    Breandan didn t have to
     
    Rae, you re not a child. You know how that fool fairy feels for you. You are his mate. What self respecting warrior would turn a blind eye not once, but twice, to bold faced insults thrown in his face?
    Daphne shook her head.
    I loved Tomas like a brother, but he took it too far. He messed with forces he had no business provoking.
     
    Her outlook confused me and I had no bones about telling her so.
    Why are you defending him?
     
    Because I understand what Breandan is, and what Tomas was. If Tomas had gained the upper hand, he would ve destroyed Breandan. You would be running from Gwen s fangs and grieving your fairy if Tomas won. Honestly, maybe worse.
    Another deep sigh made her braids slink over her shoulder.
    Females like to put rose tinted glasses on love, but it s just as ugly as other emotions, perhaps uglier. How much pain and suffering has been caused for love? It just turns out Breandan s love was stronger than Tomas . That doesn t surprise me, Tomas heart was spilt in two.
    She looked down at her nails, picked at blood encrusted on the tips. Glancing up at me, she smiled.
    What? You think he didn t love her every bit as much as she loved him?
     
    I glowered.
    Gwendolyn is crazy.
     
    Yeah, but she wasn t always. She loved Tomas deeply, and unlike me, she ll never forgive what happened, that you can be sure of.
     
    I laughed hysterically, not able