Page 86 of Unveil

He studies me for a moment before answering. “Marriage is the only thing that guarantees nearly unbreakable alliances. The only sacred bond anyone respects anymore. The Troisgarde daughters are the key to ensure every family is pledged to side with the King Fury kin.”

My blood runs cold, and an icy laugh stabs through my sternum. “The daughters are the key, huh? So none of you care which daughter you claim, so long as she can be trussed up and used as a weapon or shield at your convenience?”

Orion’s hands tighten on mine in a possessive grip as he tries to draw me to him. His voice drops into a growl.

“After everything, youknowit’s not like that, Luna.Youare mine.”

God, I love the sound of that. But I shouldn’t, and my feet stay firmly put. My eyes fall to the grave, away from him, before I lose the fight against the whirlwind of emotions already trying to consume me.

“I’m sorry about your mom, Orion. About everything you and your family have gone through. It’s tragic in an unimaginable way, and my heart breaks for you. But…” I draw in a shaky breath. “She was a martyr in this feud.” I exhale and finally meet his eyes. “It’s cruel to ask me to be the same.”

He jolts back, dropping my hands like they burned him. His lips curl, and his words struggle to escape through clenched teeth.

“Are you comparing my mother’s sacrifice to you being asked to honor your marriage vow?”

“Of course not. It’s a far from perfect comparison. But you have to see this is wrong. It wasn’tmyvow.”

“Jesus.” He scrubs a hand down his face, then lets out a low, bitter chuckle. “Do you really think marrying me is the worst thing that could happen to you? Have you not been fucking listening?”

I blink at him, stunned as he backs up with heavy steps, the gravestone becoming a wall between us.

“My family is dying, Luna. Like it or not, you became my family the moment your father bet your life and put a target on your back. Which means, I don’t care if you don’t want to marry me, not when this union is the only thing that can keep you safe.”

I force myself to focus, my emotions spiking to new heights, hatred over this situation and his words burning in my veins. Yet the determination and dedication in his voice makes me melt for him. The confusing mix destroys me like acid.

“There’s no ‘if’ I do or don’t want to get married, Orion. I think I’ve made it pretty clear that the Troisgarde daughters don’t want to be forced to marry Furys. I’ll run again if you try.”

His caustic laugh singes me, making me wince. “AndIthink it’s pretty clear the Furys do not give a fuck. You’re acting like you have a choice. Sorry, birdie. You’re stuck with your black knight. Try flying away from me again, and I’ll clip your wings to keep you.”

The words hang like a noose between us.

“Doesn’t that make you just as bad as the Wildes?” I ask sharply.

His nostrils flare. “I amnothinglike them. Wildes take what they want and don’t give a fuck about anyone else.”

“Unlike you?”

He falters, then doubles down, his voice so calm and resolute I want to scream. “Yeah, birdie. Unlike me. This is different. There are casualties in every war.”

“My freedom is just acasualtyto you?” My voice raises despite myself. “You want me to be—what? A bird in a cage?”

He doesn’t answer right away, just sweeping his gaze across the graveyard.

“Look around you. Be glad you’re not a body in a grave. Without me, that’s what you’ll be.”

I huff like the wind’s been knocked from me. “You’re a monster.”

His voice deepens. “If I’m a monster, it’s because they made me one. Tell me you understand the difference.”

“I didn’t promise myself to anyone. Your family is blackmailing mine.See the difference?” My voice breaks and tears burn my eyes at how trapped and invisible I feel. “I could’ve been anyone.”

His growl is quick, erupting goosebumps over my skin. “You weren’tanyone. You’re my Luna. You might not have promised yourself to anyone, but I promised myself to you. It was always and will only ever beyou.”

I freeze.

“What do you mean?”

He closes his eyes, his chest rising and falling with a deep breath, before they open again, softer now. “I waited for my soulmate. Without you, there was no one else. I saved myself for you.”