Page 28 of Shattered Stars

“And that’s it? You say no and that’s final.”

“Yes.”

“This isn’t fair. It’s my decision.”

“I’m not arguing with you about this.”

“So we can’t even talk about it now?”

“There isn’t any point. You’re not changing my mind.”

I glare at him. But to my utter astonishment no more feisty words come flying from my tongue. Instead, I burst out into goddamn tears. Big fat ones that streak down my cheeks.

“Rhi,” Stone says, reaching with his thumb to wipe them away.

I duck my head from his reach. “I’m so damn angry with you. I’m so angry … and frustrated. You know who you are, Stone? So does Azlan and Winnie. Shit, even Pip knew his parents.” Pip looks up from where he’s planted his face in the bowl of cereal and squeaks. “And you’re denying me this.”

“Rhi,” he says softly. “Please don’t ask me to do it. It was bad enough before, now you’re my mate, I can’t. I can’t in good faith allow you to do something that will hurt you so badly. I can’t watch you suffer like that.”

“How can this work, Phoenix?!” I say, shaking my head wildly, the tears still coming strong. “All we do is fight.”

He smiles. “The bond is pretty damn strong magic, but it isn’t the thing fairytales make it out to be. We’re still going to fight and disagree and really fucking hate each other sometimes.”

“Do you hate me, Phoenix?” I ask him through my wet eyelashes.

“Hate you? Rhi, no, I–”

“Because some of the stuff you did to me, the way you treated me.”

He scrubs his hand through his hair.

“You know I’m sorry about that Rhi, really fucking sorry. You know if I could turn back time and undo all those things, I would.”

“But you can’t. And now when I ask you to do this one thing–”

“Rhi, I’m trying to do right by you, make up for the wrong I’ve done. I can’t do that one thing. I just can’t. I can’t hurt you.”

“Then what can you do, Phoenix?” I snap.

He huffs our air and takes my hand in his, fiddling with the rings on my fingers. “I’ve been thinking about that. I … I don’t have a lot to offer you, Rhi. I’m not exactly swimming in money or connections. But, you know what, I am a damn good teacher when I want to be.”

“Really?” I say, lifting an eyebrow.

He smiles sheepishly again. “Yeah, and I know how desperate you are to learn, to catch up with the others, so I was thinking I could help you, give you some one-on-one tuition.”

“Wouldn’t that look seriously suspicious, Professor? Us spending even more time together?”

“It would give us the perfect reason to spend time together. And,” he adds before I can interrupt, “I’ve already okayed it with York. First tuition session can take place tomorrow straight after dinner if you want it to.”

I sniff, considering his offer. I’m still angry with him, plus disappointed with his refusal to explore those memories, but I have to admit this offer is a good one. There is still so much I want to learn. I want to test my magic, push it, stretch it, but I’ve almost been too scared to try. With Stone I wouldn’t feel afraid; with his help and guidance I’d be prepared to try anything.

“Okay,” I say finally.

“I thought you’d be a tad more enthusiastic, Miss Blackwaters,” he says a little sulkily.

“Hmmm,” I say.

He examines my face, then tugs on my hand, pulling me off the counter and onto my feet.