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I folded my arms over my chest. “How did you learn to shift?”

“I was thrown off a cliff,” he said.

My eyes widened. “What?”

“It was early in my change,” he said. “When Adrian was attempting to gain control over our population and numbers. Daroc and I were taken by surprise and captured by a few rogue vampires. They knew Daroc was important to Adrian and sought to torture him by throwing me off a cliff. I guess fear brought out my nature.”

In moments like this, I realized just how much I did not know about Sorin or Daroc or even Adrian. They had lived so many lives since I had died.

“Can I ask…” I paused. “You don’t seem happy…with Daroc.”

His smile was sad. “That is not a question.”

“I should not have said anything. I’m sorry.”

“I am happy with Daroc,” he said.

“Except that earlier, he seemed to steal your laughter,” I said.

“That is not really fair to say.”

“Then what is?”

Sorin was quiet for a moment. “I only worry that I am not good enough for him, that perhaps he now wishes for someone who is just as disciplined as him and the only reason he does not say it is because he knows he gave me this life.”

“I do not believe that,” I said.

“It is the only explanation I have for why he looks at Adrian the way he does.”

“Does that…make you jealous?” I asked, wondering if we could finish our conversation from earlier.

“No,” he said. “Maybe because I know nothing will ever happen. Daroc knows that too.”

I wondered now if part of Daroc’s coldness toward me was his anger that I had returned.

“Sorin,” I said, quiet. “Are you still in love with Daroc?”

His eyes widened and he answered quickly, “Of course.”

“I did not ask if you loved him. I asked if you were in love with him.”

He was quiet and he swallowed hard, his eyes turning red.

“Whatever the answer, I just want you to be happy,” I said.

He laughed bitterly. “No, you don’t.”

I flinched. “Sorin—”

“We’re out of time,” he said, dragging his sleeve over his eyes. “Have a good day, my queen.”

He bowed and left.

I stood for a few moments in the quiet cold, stunned, regretting that I had said anything at all.

Thirteen

Isolde