The Gifted

Chapter Eighteen: Proposal

"W-what?" I shook my head as if clearing it, "I'm sorry, I don't believe I heard you properly. Could you repeat that, please?"

Trystan ignored me, knowing I had heard him perfectly clear in the quietness of the room. "I can protect you under my name. The King won't harm you if you're tied to me and your father would accept you back. He's been vying for you to be engaged to an eligible man for some time. You'll be safe from both sides under my title. We can play the whole thing off as blackmail or some kind of ransom."

I laughed. It wasn't a real laugh but one I was hoping would break the atmosphere around this conversation. It wasn't working, as Trystan's unnerving stare continued to bore into me.

He was serious.

He was serious?

Slight panic started to creep its way into my mind but I'm not sure if it was due to the proposal or the prospect of going back to the castle. "You don't even acknowledge the girls vying for your attention in the court. You can't handle them, let alone a wife!"

"I don't acknowledge them by choice, Evelyn."

I shook my head again, only this time in disbelief. "O-okay, fine, forget the girls but what about me? I'm not right for marriage, Trystan! I would embarrass you in that role. You don't want me."

Trystan grabbed my hands that had been flailing madly about, trying to get me to calm down. To see his reasoning behind his words. "Don't speak for my wants and desires, Evelyn. You're grasping at excuses but there aren't any."

"You're wrong. If I ever do get engaged I don't want it to be loveless. I refuse to have a political marriage, Trystan. I will not end up like my parents."

A hurt smile crossed Tristan's face. "Which is why this will work."

My body chose that moment to still as the meaning behind his words sunk in. Trystan.... loved me?

The heat I felt from Trystan's hands around my own suddenly felt like a fire, "Now do you understand?"

I opened my mouth to say something but immediately closed it. I repeated this action a couple times, truly feeling like a fish out of water. My mind could only focus on the meaning behind his words and the panic in me increased. I love Trystan but...

As if seeing the thoughts whirling behind my eyes, Trystan continued pushing forward, "I wish for you to be safe, Evelyn, and if this how I can achieve that then I will gladly do so. We would be happy together you know? I wouldn't ask anything of you that you didn't wish and we could take things slow."

Would we be happy together? We had talked about it jokingly many years ago. A solution for both of our families to leave us alone. That since we were so comfortable with each other, it wouldn't be a bad match. However, that was all it was, comfort. I couldn't picture a marriage to Trystan and I certainly couldn't picture having children with him, something that would definitely be expected given his family and title.

A wave of guilt and hurt washed over me as I knew what my next words would bring. "Trystan, I-I'm sorry but-"

His grip tightened, "Who is it?"

I looked at him in confusion, "Who?"

"The man you're in love with."

"That's not-there isn't one. I just-"

"Don't lie to me, Evelyn. It's clear as day."

Trystan's grip slid from my hands to my wrists and tightened making me bite back a yelp. He didn't know what he was doing so I didn't retaliate. I knew my words were blinding him.