But Clover could say nothing. Just stared at her as Darby witnessed what they had been trying so hard to hide from the world. They were together. And Clover’s heart still lay at least partially in Darby’s hands. No matter how much she tried… she truly wanted them both.

Darby shook her head and then ran from the room. Hadrian made to follow her, but Clover stopped him and went after her instead. She reached her just as she flung the front door wide.

Clover yelled, “Wait!”

Darby stalled at the front steps. She even looked beautiful as she cried. “What?”

“Why did you come here?”

“I hadn’t heard from you or Hadrian in weeks. I thought something was wrong. I didn’t think this.”

“Why not?” Clover asked, pushing her. She knew that she should back off, but she never could back down from Darby. “You said we couldn’t do this. You said you were going to marry a male and pop out a brood of Fae littlings. You’re in the Season, Darby. You have no right to be upset about this.”

“Then, why didn’t you tell me?”

“Would you have preferred I rub it in your face?”

“No,” she said, swiping at her tears. “Of course not. But… I just thought…”

“What? You just wanted me to wait while you moved on?”

Darby looked pained and her lip quivered. “It doesn’t stop how I feel about you.”

Clover’s anger cooled. She released a breath. “Me either.”

Darby’s eyes jumped to hers. “Then… why?”

“I’ve always wanted you, Darbs. You know that. But I want Hadrian too. I want you both.”

“It doesn’t work that way.”

“It can,” Clover said. “If you weren’t so set on being someone you’re not.”

Darby pulled back as if she had been slapped. “If that’s how you see it, then I guess I made the right choice. I hope you two are very happy.”

Then, she slammed the door on her way out. Hadrian appeared at her side a moment later.

“How much did you hear?”

“All of it,” he said, reaching for her hand.

“And you still want to touch me?”

“I already knew how you felt about her.”

Clover met his gaze. “And how do you feel now?”

“I will take you however I can get you, Clove,” he said in complete earnest. “If you want us both, you can have us both. I want whatever makes you happy.”

“I don’t think that will ever happen,” she said as she glanced toward the door.

“Then, I’ll keep you as all mine.”

He covered her mouth with his. He had a way of making her forget everything. And she dived into it, mind, body, and soul. Anything at all to forget that look on Darby’s face.

46

The Blackouts

Fordham was true to his word.