Rorn leaped down the steps of the dais and whispered something to Theenon, who nodded and got to work on calming everyone.

And then Rorn left.

One by one, our guests began to follow suit and headed to the exits to their awaiting transportation, or to the guest rooms within the towers. Many lingered, and when I felt the curious press of their eyes upon me, I pulled free of the shock that had held me immobile.

I hurried from the ballroom and down the hall I’d seen Rorn take, calling after him when I caught a glimpse of his gold embossed emerald coat before it winked out of sight at the hall’s end.

“Rorn, wait.”

He ignored me.

“Rorn, please.”

He stopped and murmured to the guards who were trailing the entourage escorting Scythe to the dungeon.

“Don’t do this,” I pleaded when we were alone. “Just let him go, and I’ll make sure he leaves.”

Rorn’s smile was not one of pleasure but of pain. “Bloom.” He wiped a trembling hand over his mouth. “I fear I cannot even stomach the sight of you right now, so it would behoove you to return to your parlor while we fix this unfortunate mess.”

“Fix?” I asked, incredulous. “If Scythe is as he says, then he does not wish to have anything to do with Wistensia.”

Rorn laughed, shocked and shocking. “You didn’t know, did you? And you still have no idea.”

“I suppose it never mattered to him enough to tell me.” I knew that was a lie, and it was just the opposite.

It meant too much for him to dare whisper it to anyone.

“Astrantia.” Rorn’s gaze flared, his eyes dancing wildly. “You didn’t know who he was, and he had no idea who you were. Am I understanding this correctly?”

I swallowed and reluctantly nodded, then I stepped back against the wall when he clasped my chin. He followed, tone edged like a blade. “You just let the beast fuck you seven ways from the skies to better forget me and what I did to you, is that it?”

I nearly refuted that, but I found I couldn’t entirely. “At first, yes. That was exactly what it was. I met him in a tavern.”

Rorn huffed, then searched my face with something akin to disgust and nostalgia. “It was only me. I was the only male you’d ever allowed inside you. Just me. Why did you have to ruin that?” he asked, the words whispered as though he hadn’t meant to say them. “And with him, of all creatures.”

“Because you ruined it first, and so thoroughly that I couldn’t see a way back to you.”