His Admission

Harlyn

“Because I love you.” I am dumbfounded by Stefan’s words. He leans forward and kisses away my tears.

Stefan’s words roll around in my mind, and I wonder if he’s okay. Like mentally, because he really appears to be losing it.

I’m concerned for him. The shift in his attitude and behaviour is worrying. Was he hurt during the war with the rogues, and has that caused this?

Either Stefan has genuinely had a nasty knock to the head and needs medical help, or this is a joke, a game to him. He hates me. Actually, he despises me. So why is he now acting like this?

Why the hell is he constantly trying to touch me? Hell, he kissed my tears. What is his plan and game now? Just to make everything even more painful for me? Is he set to make sure that he outdoes my father’s hurt towards me?

It feels like he and my father are battling for the top spot on who can hurt Harlyn the most.

I don’t feel like he’s being honest, and part of me honestly is worried. This isn’t right or real, and there must be some force behind this because no way would Stefan do this.

“What did you say?” I asked him, wondering if I had just misheard him. I mean, that’s a possibility, right? Stefan saying he loves me? Even though I knew that was wrong, I felt I had misheard him.

“Harlyn, you heard it right.” He steps closer to me, his eyes staying focused on mine. “I, Stefan, am in love with you, Harlyn.” He sounds so sure, so committed to those words.

Something has to be wrong, I feel like I need to call a maid or something.

“Are you okay?” I ask, genuinely worried for him. No one just switches like this, and there has to be a cause.

“I’m fine, perfect; stop looking at me like I’m crazy; I’m not Harlyn.” He smiles at me, and my heart leaps before I force it back down. No. I won’t do this.

He said he’s fine, he’s not unsteady, so this is a joke, a twisted one.

“Well, I’m glad you’re fine, Your Majesty. Now I need to leave.” I go to walk away, but he stops me.

“Not yet, Harlyn!” His words are soft.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but you just attacked my fiance, and I would like to ensure he is okay and healing.” I won’t stay here with him, not to play along with his stupid mind games. That is all this is, a game.

His hand grips my wrists, and he pulls me back to him. My body slams into his chest, and he peers down at me. “Don’t do that, Harlyn, don’t speak of him.” His words are growled, and I almost laugh.

His other hand moves and strokes the hair from my face so I can see him fully.

“Why do you hate him?” I asked, unsure of what Wayne had done so wrong. I saw it instantly. He glared at Wayne like an enemy. So what is the reason?

“Forget him. How about you tell me why you hate me so much.” He looks at me, waiting, and I become even more confused by him.

“What?” I ask, hoping he will rephrase his question so I can better understand it. I understand what he is asking, but why?

“I want to know why you won’t let me in, why you’re cold and distant, why you push me away.” His words make me nod. I thought he would have realised why I did that.

Is he really playing dumb about how badly he treated me over the years? He’s asking me as if he has no idea what caused my hatred towards him.

“Harlyn, I know before I was horrible to you. I rejected you, and I hurt you. I only hurt you because...”

My hand raises, and I realise what he’s doing. He’s hurting me because I haven’t accepted his rejection. It’s stupid. His plan was to hurt me, so I accepted the rejection. Had he told me to, I would have.

Does he not realise that I want this connection severed as well?

“Your Majesty, you don’t need to continue with this argument or behaviour. I agree with you. We need to sever this horrible bond and free ourselves, ready for our upcoming marriages.” I smile at him, and he stares shocked.

“Horrible bond? Free ourselves? Harlyn, that isn’t what I was saying.” He stares at me.

“Neither of us wants the bond, Your Majesty, so let’s just cut it and move on,” I say, and I watch his eyes glow.

“We’re destined to be together. The Moon Goddess picked you as my mate and future queen.” His words mirror mine. Isn’t that what I said to him before he rejected me?

Is he mocking me? It feels like he is right now.

“I’m sorry, Harlyn. I apologise for every bad action I took toward you and every hurtful word I said.”

My head spins. Is he apologising to me? What has changed within him? I try to turn away to hide the tears building in my eyes, but he grips my chin to force me to look at him.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t even a man. I was an asshole, a piece of shit, and I know I hurt you.” His words somehow warmed me, and I fought to remind myself of how much he had hurt me.

“It’s fine. I accept your apology,” I say, trying to move away from him, but he keeps me against his body.

“No, I don’t want you to just accept my apology, Harlyn. Why here?” He looks at me, and I see the pain within the glow of his eyes. “Why did you bring Wayne here, to this spot?” He asks again.

I don’t know what he means. We were just walking and decided to stop here. Why is he looking at me like I’ve done something horrible? Like I’ve broken some kind of rule that I have no idea of?

“Harlyn, answer me, please. Why here, of all the places?” he pleads with me, and I shake my head, unsure how to even respond.