The Burden of Trust by Nikki Frank

Author:Nikki Frank [Frank, Nikki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781647160241
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing, LLC
Published: 2019-12-10T16:00:00+00:00

“Why?” he mumbled.

“Because, if I’d been open with you way back―”

“I told you I wouldn’t have broken up with you over your fears.”

“No, but you would have known my true feelings. Then when someone else caught my eye, you wouldn’t have been blindsided, and you could have made choices for yourself based on the whole truth. This time I want you to have the whole truth. Some of it might sound selfish, but . . .”

Talon gave me a curious sideways glance.

I scrubbed my damp palms dry on my robe. “I still care about you . . . so deeply. I feel all this pain you’re going through like it’s my own. And a little more since I’m part of the cause. You are my best friend, and I will always need you. Likewise, if you need anything from me, all you have to do is ask, and it’s yours.” My shoulders drooped. “I feel like there’s so much more than that, but words and what’s inside me don’t match at all.” I shot him a desperate look. “Can you understand any of what I’m trying to say?”

He rubbed away tears and nodded. “I think so. I’m going to need time, Livy.”

I couldn’t help the little squeak of joy that popped out.

“What?” Talon asked.

I quickly calmed myself. One step at a time. “You called me Livy. You’ve been using my full name since . . .”

He gave a short nod. “Can I ask you a personal question?”

“Anything.”

“How did you?” He clutched at his chest, letting out an involuntary whimper. “When your parents . . .”

Instinctively I took his hand and held it in both my own. “I’m so sorry. My throne seems destined to rob me and those around me of the people we love most. I hope the good I do for others from that throne outweighs the price.” Rubbing his hand with my fingers, I answered his question carefully. “I struggled with my loss, but you should know. You propped me up through most of it. Inside, I forced myself to focus on the shitstorm around us. All those evil things lurking in the palace, an entire district worth of evil to purge—the work left little room for anything else.”

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