Part 20 (1/2)
Everything.
”We're not fighting. You are stupid to even want to give up your life for that female.” Blaze's nose was almost against his. ”She means everything to you. Everything? Are you sure?”
Coal hadn't realized that he had said the words aloud. ”Yes,” he almost whispered.
Blaze took a step back. He huffed out a breath and ma.s.saged his neck. ”I will have to speak with Torrent. He won't be happy.”
Coal felt his spirits lift but his hopes were quickly dashed.
”You have twenty-four hours to-”
The door creaked open and Julie walked in. She looked angry. Her eyes were blazing. Her fists clenched. She looked from Blaze to Coal and back again. ”So it's all true then. If I'm not pregnant in the next twenty-four hours you're sending me back?”
Coal shouted ”No!” and Blaze nodded yes.
”No.” Coal repeated... with just as much ardor.
”Yes.” Blaze murmured, a hint of irritation in his voice. ”I want you mated and pregnant or-”
”Or nothing,” Coal growled.
Julie shook her head. Her hair flew wildly about her face. ”I just need to know one thing. Did you have plans to mate with Scarlet before I came?”
Blast and d.a.m.n. How did Julie know? He had planned to tell her himself. ”Yes, but...”
Julie clutched at her chest. She grimaced, it looked like she was in physical pain.
”It's not what you think. I can explain...”
”Did your brother, the king...” She sniffed and her eyes were filled with tears.
His heart hurt just looking at her. There were sharp pains inside his chest.
Another sniff. ”Did he”-she pointed at Blaze-”command you to win me, for lack of a better word, to go after me and lie to me and...” Her eyes locked with Coal's. ”Twenty-four hours. Is that why you're being so nice even though I'm a lowly human?” She made a noise that only someone in pain would make.
”No. It's not like that. I was tasked... yes... but it isn't like that... It was but-”
”I don't need to hear any more.” She shook her head. Her eyes looked wild. She wasn't listening to him. ”You'll just say whatever it takes, won't you?”
”No.” The word came out sounding agonized. It matched the pain he was feeling inside his chest.
”Yes, you will.” She glanced at him.
”I...” He needed to explain, to make her understand. He had kept some things from her but she had kept many things from him. He'd told her everything that was important and planned on telling her more as time wore on. She wasn't ready to take in everything at once... clearly. ”Julie, I-”
”Save it!” She yelled. Julie turned and walked out the door which was standing wide open.
”Wait. Let me explain. We need to talk!” He shouted after her, feeling helpless.
”Let her go,” Blaze said.
”No!” Coal shouted. ”I've listened to you enough. I need to...” He growled and followed his female. His dammit. He needed to make her understand.
”Let her calm down first.” Blaze called after him but Coal ignored him. ”Save it for behind closed doors.”
”Julie!” He shouted, putting every bit of anguish he felt into her name. he sprinted after her, catching her easily. ”We belong together. Please let me explain.”
”There is no we!” She shouted, without turning back.
”Don't say that.” He felt his heart rate pick up. Maybe his brother had been right about waiting to confront her. Adrenaline surged. He looked around the room.
Torrent stood calmly in the corner.
No!
h.e.l.l no.
Coal roared. He had to work to suppress his flames for fear of harming his female. His.
Julie turned so sharply, he almost walked into her. ”Let me just tell you something.” She pointed a finger at him.
”Not now,” Coal ground out.
”Oh, I'm only permitted to talk when it suits you?” She stabbed him with her finger. ”Well sorry for you. It doesn't work like that.”
”Julie, listen to me-”
”No d.a.m.ned way am I listening to you. I've listen to you enough, don't you think?” She didn't wait for a reply.
He was tempted to grab her and to lock a hand over her mouth or to throw her over his shoulder and to carry her off.
Julie put her hands on her hips. ”You are an a.s.shole. A jerk of the highest order. I'm done listening to you. All you seem to be able to do is talk a bunch of bulls.h.i.+t.” She swallowed thickly.
”There were a couple of things I kept from you, but they-” Weren't the most important things.
”No!” She yelled, cutting him off. Making him swallow his words. ”There were more than just a couple of things.”
”I have never lied to you about the things that truly mattered. I swear. Please.” He tried to touch her but she pulled away with a sharp jerk. ”Let's go back to my chamber, we can discuss it.”
”There is nothing to discuss. I want to leave. I've already packed, although, the stuff isn't mine. Where is my backpack? I'm leaving.” Her eyes welled even though she didn't shed so much as a single tear.
”No. Don't say that. Please.”
”No, Coal. There is no we or us. There never will be.” She snarled. ”Do us both a favor and let me leave. We are done.”
”I'm glad to hear it.” Torrent pushed up off the wall. ”I'm glad you're packed. We are leaving right away.” The male's gaze was on Julie. On his female. Coal clenched his teeth so hard he felt a molar snap. Thank the lord for advanced healing. Torrent had wanted her during the hunt. The male still wanted her.