Chapter 268

Charles

Grace set her jaw. I reached out, cupping her face and lifting it until I could look into her eyes.

"I have always planned to break the bond, ever since I started to pursue you."

My hand fell to the courting band on her arm.

"I had never had a chance to give Tessa a courting band." Her eyes bulged. "I've been working to lessen the impact, but... I think Astarte was right to think that it was just me running from it."

I sank down beside her and started from the beginning.

"The truth is... that it is a burden, one that she's always taken full advantage of." My voice hitched slightly. "She's... well aware that the bond ties us together. It's been a shield and leverage for her. Admittedly, maybe a part of me has wondered and worried if the goddess had given me Tessa as punishment and trying to escape it would only make things worse."

"Punishment?"

"For not... For not saving them." I closed my eyes. "For Devin's parents. My family..."

"You can't take that on, Charles."

I chuckled. "Too late, but I want you to know that I'm doing it tomorrow."

She gasped. "Charles--"

"No," I said. "You haven't said it, but I can feel it. I… I can't bear the thought of hurting you, Grace. And I can't do that, I can't be with you, be free with you with this looming over us."

I looked at her. "The rejection matters, as you said, and I know you still believe that.... because it's true."

A flicker of understanding softened her eyes. She reached out, her fingers tracing a gentle path over the courting band.

"And Astarte's revelation… it just pushed your hand, didn't it?"

"Everything has. I never intended to go into a marriage with you still bound to Tessa. It wouldn't be fair to you, and I'm not that kind of man."

Silence descended upon us once more, a heavy quiet filled with unspoken emotions. Finally, I took a deep breath and reached out, gently stroking the courting band on Grace's arm.

"As I said, I'm going to do it tomorrow," I said, my voice resolute. "The bond breaking. It has to be done."

"But… Charles, are you sure? Isn't that… risky?"

"It is," I admitted, my gaze unwavering. "There's a chance it will weaken me for a while. I might need some time to recover, but I'm going to send you back to Mooncrest where you'll be safe."

A pang of guilt twisted in my gut. The thought of leaving Grace, even for a short while, filled me with dread. But I knew it was necessary.

"I understand," Grace said softly, her voice laced with a hint of sadness. "This… this whole thing is insane. But if it's what you need to do…"

She trailed off, her gaze locking with mine. There was a well of understanding in her eyes.

"I don't want to leave you, Grace," I said, my voice hoarse with emotion.

"I know," she replied, squeezing my hand gently. "And I don't want you to go either. But… this is bigger than us."

A heavy sigh escaped my lips. We sat in silence for a moment longer. With a final squeeze of her hand, I stood up, my resolve solidifying.

"I'll coordinate with Astarte," I said, my voice firm. "We'll figure out a way to keep in touch, even if I need to be away for a while to recover."

Grace nodded, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "We'll get through this, Charles. Together."

Her words were a beacon of hope in the gathering storm. The road ahead was uncertain, but as I gazed at Grace, her unwavering support a source of strength, I knew that whatever challenges awaited us, we would face them together.

I turned to her. She gasped, seemingly knowing what I was thinking. She opened her arms to me and melted into my kiss.

I got her onto the bed and undressed her. Every's kiss felt like an apology and an acceptance. Every touch felt like a goodbye filled with hope to see each other soon. We said nothing. We didn't rush. I savored the taste of every sigh and tried not to wonder if I would return remotely the same man.

She gasped into my shoulder. My eyes burned with grief, but I held onto her, thrusting into her slow and deep, rocking us together until we were both breathless, boneless and could only lay together, tangled up and silent.

My heart felt just a bit lighter as we slipped off into sleep, tangled together.

The first rays of dawn painted the sky a pale grey and woke me. I rose from the bed, my gaze lingered on Grace's sleeping form. I leaned down, brushing a gentle kiss against her forehead, a silent goodbye etched in the tenderness of the gesture.

With a final, lingering look, I got dressed and packed us up. I dressed her and carried her out to the car we'd arrived in. George met my gaze and nodded at me.

"Safe travels, Your Majesty."

"Take care of her."

I watched the car drive off before turning back to see Astarte there. She was dressed to leave. She smiled.

"Ready to be free?"

I swallowed and clenched my hand before nodding. "As ready as I'll ever be."

She conjured a portal on the steps and I braced myself. Dread gnawed at me as I walked through the portal.

"Your Majesty!" One of the guards said, clearly startled.

"Have the Elders summoned," I said. "And have Tessa brought from the dungeons for her trial."

His eyes widened, then he grinned. "As you wish, Your Majesty!"

I took a deep breath and strode towards the throne room. I took seat and Astarte followed me as I activated the summoning spells. She smiled at me.

"I am proud of you." She stepped back. "And I know she would be too."

"She?"

"Your mother..." She smirked. "You know she's never liked Tessa."

I had no idea.

The early morning sun cast long shadows across the polished marble floor, highlighting intricate stained-glass work. I clenched my hands a breathed through the fear. Soon, the Elders filed in. Ascher and Esme gave me worried looks, but I kept my expression neutral.

"It is good that you have decided to move this along," my uncle said. "The sooner we get through the Choosing, the better."

Taking a deep breath, I said nothing, waiting as the last Elder pushed open the heavy oak doors of the hall. The room fell silent as they settled in their seats and all eyes turned towards me.

"Before we begin," I said. "Before I even humor the Choosing, there's a matter I need to address first."

A collective murmur rippled through the room. The Elders exchanged curious glances, their expressions a mix of surprise and concern.

"A matter? What kind of matter would take precendence over the Choosing?"

Ignoring the murmurs and the inquisitive stares, I looked at Tessa's father.

"The matter," I said, my voice firm, "concerns the Elders overstepping their bounds."

The room went deathly silent. The weight of my next words hung heavy in the air.

"There seems to be… a misunderstanding," I continued, my voice carefully measured. "You seem to believe I need you to choose for me, that I would allow this farce to continue, or even humor it."

"Explain yourself," my uncle said.

"Isn't it obvious," Tessa's father asked. "He is speaking of his mate."

I smiled. "Your daughter?"

As the words left my lips, a collective gasp resonated through the hall. Shock and disbelief were etched on the faces of the Elders. He narrowed his eyes, clearly suspicious.

"Mates?" Someone scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. "Lady Tessa is your mate? Preposterous! Why hasn't she taken her seat as queen then?"

"This reeks of political opportunism at its finest, and is low even for you."

Tessa's father scowled at them, but the other Elders voiced their agreement, a chorus of disapproval echoing through the chamber. My uncle said nothing, watching it scene unfold as he was one to do. I knew he was behind this push. I was ready for it so backfire spectacularly.

A faint sense of satisfaction flickered within me, a small victory in the face of the daunting task that awaited. The Elders, it seemed, were on my side. However, this was just the beginning.

I held onto the feeling.

"Your Majesty," a guard called through the door.

"Bring her in."

The air crackled with tension as a pair of guards ushered Tessa into the hall. Her eyes, wide with confusion and fear, darted around the room until they landed on mine. She looked worse for wear, a bit thinner and terrible. A flicker of hope briefly ignited in the depths of her eyes. She swept her gaze over the assembly and smirked. Her confidence faltered as our gazes met.

Tessa's father stood up, his face contorted with rage, slammed his fist on the oak table.

"What is the meaning of this?" he bellowed, his voice echoing in the vast chamber. "You dare bring my daughter before this council like a common criminal?"