I leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Nothing will make me miss it.”
Chapter Ten
Ultimatums
I ran home, focusing on the fact that my father would definitely kill me if he discovered I’d snuck out all night rather than the one where Lucretia said she’d marry me even though she hardly knew me. All of that other stuff we talked about in regards to magic and other worlds and the games of gods felt like a dream. If I wasn’t fully aware of the burning in my lungs while I ran, I’d write the whole thing off as a figment of my imagination.
Just as the rooster crowed, I ran into my yard. Rather than go straight inside, I started on the day’s chores. Dad got up with that stupid bird every morning, and I had to play my next few moves carefully. He’d notice my being missing soon. Just as I finished feeding the chickens, he came rushing outside.
“William!” His fists were clenched and his eyes were full of pure rage. “Where…” He frowned as he got closer. “What are you doing out here so early?”
“Couldn’t sleep.” Still the truth! “I’ve been struggling with sleep in general. Rather than lie in bed and waste time, I thought I’d get started. Is there a problem?”
My father’s gaze remained narrowed for a long time. “Why aren’t you sleeping well?”
“That girl from the Delorne family has been occupying my mind.” I held up a hand to stop him from speaking because I knew he’d only try to rebuke me. “She’s pretty. She’ll be hard to get over. I understand your hesitations about her family, but I would like you to at least consider giving them a chance. Have you heard their side of the story? Or only rumors?”
Dad sighed, low and heavy. Very dramatic, even for him. “My source of information is a solid one.”
“I don’t deny that, I’m only asking. You’ve always told me to look for the truth thoroughly—”
He growled. “And you should be trusting my judgment when I say to stay away from her!”
“She’s pretty!” That was the only defense I had for my feelings that wouldn’t give away that we’d spoken. “Giving up on her…it’s…she likes me too…”
My father and I were never the type to have heart to heart talks. Those I saved for my mother. When his expression softened, it shocked me on a whole other level. His hands relaxed and he shoved them into his pants pockets. “That’s how women like her ensnare you. They use their beauty to captivate you, to bring you to the point of obsession. Then everything they say will seem like honey. Pure, sweet, perfect. There’s a reason I told you to not talk to her anymore! That’s why. No, I will not consider giving her or her family a chance! If she can bewitch you, she will try to do the same to me.”
“She would not do such a thing,” I snapped.
“And you know this how?” he challenged.
I didn’t say anything. Lie through omission, I suppose. But that’s different than speaking falsehoods. Nothing I said would help anyway. When he got on a roll, he couldn’t be stopped.
So, I let him keep talking.
“William, I know you don’t have a high opinion of me. I’ve tried my best to raise you in the way I should. For you to grow into a man of honor and who works hard.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Believe me when I say that I will not allow you back in our house if I find you with that woman. I refuse to be a part of their spectacle.”
I faced away from him, so I could return to my chores. “Understood.”
He placed a hand on my shoulder. “I hope so.”
Chapter Eleven
The Fight for Love
Dad saying Lucretia bewitched me wasn’t too far from the truth, though I don’t think any black magic ever got involved in the process. Somewhere, some world, there is a version of me who listened to his words and kept away. I pity that guy a lot. That “me.” Such a waste.
I had a lot to think about, though. Dad didn’t give empty threats. When he said he’d disown me, he’d do it, and I don’t think he’d have any regrets over it either. I didn’t let that tender touch on the shoulder fool me. About the most he cared about was his reputation. Why keep me away from her otherwise?
My choices were as follows: end things and move on—not going to happen. Keep seeing her in secret—a possibility I liked, secret romances are hot. Or I get Lucretia to take me in—the go big or go home route.
If her guardians liked me, they might show me sympathy and let me move into the mansion. Then Dad could kick me out, and it wouldn’t matter. I’d start my new life with Lucretia, and we’d have our happily ever after. Wording it like that makes it seem like some kind of pipe dream. I guess it was. It felt too logical, too easy, and too perfect...to resist! When things lined up so well, how could I resist?
Already, I had a plan formulating. The night of the party would be the night I began my new life with Lucretia. The only problem? My mom. I hated hurting her. No way would she leave my father, either. He had a lot of nerve, talking about Lucretia bewitching me when he must have done something similar to my mother. The pull he had on her...it never seemed natural. How could she love someone so terrible of her own free will?
I’ll save her later, I decided. First, I had to make sure Lucretia could get us both a secure place to live.
I did the presumptuous thing and packed as
