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It’s at that thought that I mentally scold myself. I did have someone. Being here, this place, it’s like I’m slowly forgetting him, and I can’t let that happen. I need to find a way back. Things are only as they should be when I’m with Luca.

Until then, my time will be spent away from Rhenn and with the few people I actually trust in this godforsaken world.

“Have I ever let you down before? I’ll bring all the snacks. I promise. Another time, though.”

They part ways and my chest aches. I despise him for giving me this glimpse of himself.

“Hey.” Rhenn finally catches up with me. “Home’s the other way.”

So go the other way. “And?” I continue forward, ignoring how closely he’s walking beside me.

“I thought we could walk back together.”

“Why would we do that?” I ask, letting out an annoyed breath. “So you can bite me? I think I’ll pass.”

“Well, we came here together, for one. And I was thinking more than biting, but I’ll take that too.”

“Mmm, no thanks. That all sounds terrible. Enjoy the time to yourself though.” I continue down the path, not even making it two feet when his hand lands on my shoulder. “Don’t touch me, Rhenn. Or have you already forgotten how unpleasant I am?”

“Oh, come on, Vix. Don’t be like that.”

“No. You don’t get to treat me like shit until it’s convenient to act nice. I’m not an object you can use.” Or pretend to be friends with until your real friends call you out on it. Asshole. “Go find your faerie if you want someone to play with.”

“You know I’m not seeing her anymore.”

“Don’t care.”

“Is this about what I said to Rai? She⁠—”

“No, Rhenn. Just leave me alone.” I walk faster, forcing the lie in my words.

“Then where is this coming from? I thought things were good between us?”

“What gave you that impression?”

He quickens his pace to keep up with me. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that you followed me here. That before you left for the restroom, you were laughing. That you were fucking my hand twenty minutes ago.”

I laugh dryly, then stop to look at him. “You took me on that Ferris wheel. You shoved your hand down my pants. Just because you know how to make me come does not mean I enjoy spending time with you. I can’t stand you, Rhenn. I hate when you touch me.” The words spew from my mouth. It’s enough to make him stop walking, but I’m not even close to done.

Nodding toward the direction of the child, I add, “One good deed doesn’t make up for being a horrible person. You, Rhenn, are the worst kind of person, and trust me when I tell you I have known some truly fucked up individuals. At least they owned it. You’re deceitful. You let me think…” I snap my mouth shut, not daring to finish that sentence.

His eyes go dark, brows tilting down. There’s no trace he had ever been smiling at all. Somewhere in there, I struck a nerve, and he looks terrifying. “Let you think what, Vixen? That I liked you? You don’t even like you. I felt bad for you. I used you. And it was so fucking easy.”

This is a different version of Rhenn from any of the others I’ve seen. He’s said cruel things to me before. There was always light in his smoky grays, like he had enjoyed that he was hurting me. Now, there is nothing. No fire. No emotion. He’s providing hateful words, only this time, they hold no weight. Like he’s saying them out of habit, to get to me because of what I’d said to him.

Or maybe I’m just numb to them.

Standing here looking at us, we are the epitome of empty souls. Full of anger and drained of life.

“You’re right,” I tell him, my voice hollow. “I don’t like me. I’m not sure I ever have. It’s for that reason alone that I don’t need it from anyone else. Especially from a man who doesn’t like who he is either.” His eyes flash over mine before falling to the ground, and I pull my lips between my teeth as I breathe in.

“It doesn’t have to stay like that.” His response is quiet, letting his gaze climb over me once again. “Just come back with me.”

I shake my head. “It’s not some temporary state, Rhenn. My happiness was taken from me long before I met you. There is nothing left inside me. What you see, that’s all there is. I’m well aware that it isn’t enough for anyone. I don’t want your hospitality and I don’t need your fake friendship. I’ll go home on my own.”

My body turns, but I don’t move quite yet. I need a moment to compose myself before I figure out what I’m going to do next.

It’s quiet for several long seconds before Rhenn finally speaks, and when he does, he sounds like he’s physically exhausted. “Just make sure you do so before it gets dark.”