Page 94 of The Spider Queen

“Poppy—”

“I’m in love with you, and you’re in love with me.”

Hunter’s jaw hardened. “As if I could forget. But we can’t be together.”

“Why? Because I’m meant to be Thane’s? Do you know how—I’m not a piece of property. I can’t just be traded like a baseball card.”

My words had him pausing. “Baseball? Really?”

I grinned. “You’re an athlete. I thought I was speaking your language.”

“You can’t joke your way out of this.”

“Sure I can. Because I’m a scientist.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And scientists are known for their senses of humor?”

“No. We’re known for reason and logic.”

“Love isn’t logical.”

“Exactly.”

Hunter shook his head. “Am I still drunk? You’re running circles around me.”

“Science is all about logic and reason. You have to give me a sound reason why I’m supposed to be with Thane.”

“I—” he closed his mouth.

“Ah ha! You don’t have a good reason why I’m supposed be with Thane except for the fact that I’m—” I raised my fingers and used air quotes, “—supposed to.”

“You’re right. Okay? You’re right. You think I want to let you go? You think Ilikeknowing that you’re supposed to be with Thane because of some predestined shit? No! I hate the idea. But what can I do? Tell me, and I’ll do it. Find a way to get us out of this and tell me!”

I got up from bed and walked over to stare out the window, done with the conversation. I was done with Thane and the whole freaking mess. “I’m not going to Ireland. Simple as that.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

My head whipped around. “What? Are you going to force me into the airport and on a plane? I can cause a scene you know. The TSA will have a field day.”

Hunter hesitated a moment and then reached into the back pocket of his jeans. He held something in his hand. “Here.”

I reached for it. The poppy necklace dropped into my palm. It felt warm, alive. “Where did you get this?” I asked, my throat constricting.

“Found it in the doctor’s office before I got you out.” He sat down on the corner of the bed and leaned over, letting his elbows rest on his thighs.

“When I said you don’t have a choice about going to Ireland, I meant it. You’ll feel it, Poppy.”

“Feel what?” I asked, clasping the necklace around my neck. It settled against my skin with a comforting weight. It felt like it belonged around my neck, and I never wanted to take it off again.

“The pull.”

A shiver raced down my spine.

He cocked his head to one side. “Don’t you feel it? Like, you’re fighting yourself.”

“No, I don’t think—”

“Well, you will,” he interrupted. “Nothing can stop it. You can fight it all you want, but eventually you’ll wind up in Ireland because that’s where you have to be.”