Heretic: The Clans Book Ten by Knox Elizabeth & Sweetwater Iris

Author:Knox, Elizabeth & Sweetwater, Iris
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Knox Publishing
Published: 2020-03-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Luca

The heat of Romania’s summer comes crashing down onto my skin, burning from being outside for hours today —with her. We’ve run through the gardens, even disappearing into her parents newly sculptured hedge maze. After we were done, the two of us walked down to the back part of her family’s estate and sat under the tree a mere twenty feet away from the river.

“You’re such a good friend to me, Luca. I wish you and your family didn’t have to go back to Italy so soon. It’s fun having you here.” Mariana says with a soft smile. I watch as her smile falls away as quickly as it came.

Mariana might not be thinking about the future, however it’s the only thing I think about. My father makes sure I’m constantly trying to figure out where my place will be. He’s made his decision when it comes to whether my brother or I will be running the Clan, and he’s chosen Isaac. Even now it makes me irritable. He’s chosen the softer one, versus the son he has with an iron fist. While he may not regret his decision now, one day he will.

“What . . . what if one day I didn’t have to leave your side?” I ask the question that’s been haunting my mind these past few days, unsure if I would have the courage to ask her.

She pulls her brows together at the same time she purses her lips while her curly blonde hair flows in the wind. “What do you mean?”

“What if . . . when we’re twenty-one, you and I get married. We could create our own contract and live happily ever after. We’ve been friends since we were little. Our fathers are the best of friends, as are our mothers. Not only that, but I love you, Mariana Vasile. I think I always have.”

Mariana’s face flushes with a bright red and her gaze moves to the ground in front of her. She’s even pulled her hands onto her lap and I know I’m about to be shot down. Shaking her head, she confirms this. “Luca, I can’t go against my father. Not now, not ever. He’s secured a marriage for me already, one that’s been orchestrated since I was merely days old.”

I stand up, angered that she won’t even give me a chance. “You’d rather marry someone who’s essentially a stranger versus someone who you enjoy spending time with? I told you I love you, and you don’t even care.”

Mariana brings her eyes to mine, “Luca, you are my friend . . . but my father says things about yours. He says you’re just like your father. How you’re callous and will do anything for power. Mother has always told me to be aware of my surroundings and the people I spend time with. I thought . . . I thought we were friends and we both knew that, but I—I think you’re trying to take advantage of me like the others.

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