Building Her Throne Burying My Heart (Claire) novel Chapter 42

If this was really the best ending I could hope for, then maybe it was better to just stay silent. I didn’t have much time left anyway. I might as well take all of this with me to the grave.

Clenching my fists at my sides, I tried to hold back the ache in my chest. “I wronged Ableson,” I said quietly. “I’ll go beg for his forgiveness, even if he never gives it. I owe him that much. I have to kneel at his grave and pay for what I did.”

Claire turned away, her voice cold and sharp. “Then go. Kneel for a whole day and night. If you somehow manage to come back and stand in front of me after that, I’ll buy your worthless life.”

She spun on her heel and left, anger radiating from every step. I rushed after her, following her out into the night. Rain was coming down in sheets, pounding the city and turning everything to gray and silver.

She stopped under the awning and pulled out her phone. “Laird, come get me,” she said, her voice clipped.

I caught up to her, desperate. “Do you really mean it? What you just said—will you keep your word?”

She slipped her phone away and looked over at me, stepping closer, one slow step at a time. Instinctively, I backed up with each step she took until I was standing out in the open, rain pouring over me, soaking me to the skin.

We just stared at each other for a long moment, the storm drumming around us. Her eyes were dark and impossible to read. Finally, she spoke, her voice steady. “If you’re willing to risk your life for money, then fine. I’ll give you that chance. My word stands. Go kneel until tomorrow night.”

Rain blurred my vision, but I could still see that hard edge in her gaze.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify