I took a step back out of Ryan’s hands. I looked over his shoulder at Justin and said, “No. Don’t do this. I didn’t. I wouldn’t. Don’t do this. Please.”
“What’s going on?” Ryan asked, eyes narrowed as he looked between the two of us.
“Tell him,” Justin said. “Or I will.”
“Justin, I’ll go, okay? I swear to the gods I’ll go. I won’t do anything. Please, just don’t do this.”
“Every wizard needs an anchor,” he said to Ryan. “My father taught me that. Told me one day, Sam would find a person who would help him build his magic. Would help him to become a better wizard. Magic needs to be built upon a foundation, and a cornerstone is that foundation. It helps the wizard become more in control. More settled. Because magic, if unchecked, can grow and twist you into something off. Dark. And the cornerstone is usually someone with intent. Romantic intent. Isn’t that right, Sam?”
“Sam?” Ryan asked. “What is he talking about?”
“I never wanted this,” I said. “I promise. Both of you. I didn’t ask for this to happen. I swear I didn’t.”
“You told me a cornerstone wasn’t anything,” Ryan said, voice hard. “You told me that it didn’t matter.”
“Did he?” Justin asked with a laugh. “That was a lie. It’s everything.”
“That’s enough,” Gary snapped. He moved swiftly, hooves clacking along the stone until he was by my side. He brushed up against me and I took strength from it. Everything felt too loud, too bright inside my head. He knew. “You’re free to go. Ryan, take the Prince back to Castle Lockes. Forget this place and leave Sam the hell alone.”
“I smash?” Tiggy growled, coming to stand on my other side. “I smash Prince and Knight Delicious Face?”
“Sam,” Ryan said, taking a step toward us.
“Don’t you get it, Ryan?” Justin said. “You’re his fucking cornerstone. Because of course you are. The one time I make a choice for myself, the one time I get to choose, Sam of fucking Wilds tries to take that choice away. I won’t let him. Not this time. You pledged yourself to me, and I will never let you go.”
And there it was. Out there. Words that could never be taken back. I’d never wanted him to find out. Not like this. Not ever. It should have felt better, having all my cards on the table.
But gods, it didn’t. It hurt.
“Is that true?” Ryan asked.
I said, “Don’t—”
“Is it true?”
I took a breath. Let it out slowly.
And said, “Yes.”
“You lied to me. I asked you and you lied to me.” He was angry and hurt, just like I’d knew he’d be. “Were you ever going to tell me?”
“No.”
“Why the fuck not?”
“Because,” I said, “you have an oath. One I won’t let you break. Your word is your bond and you are bound to Justin.”
“How long?” he asked, sounding even angrier. “How the fuck long have you known?”
“The restaurant. With the Darks.”
He took a step back. Away from me. Toward Justin. “Sam… that. That was months ago.”
And because this had to end, I said, “And it doesn’t matter anymore. We’ve got what we came here for. It’s time to leave. It’s time to say good-bye.”
CHAPTER 23
Shit Just Got Real, Son