Or at least I'd believed that for most of my adult life. Now I wasn't so sure. Because loyalty had carried me through six years of marriage. And somehow, I still felt alone.
"I made a promise." My voice sounded quieter than intended. "A vow."
"I know." Lucian nodded. The response surprised me. No argument. No challenge. No attempt to undermine it. Just understanding. Which somehow made continuing easier.
"I chose Rowan." The words tasted strange. "I knew what I was choosing." His eyes remained fixed on mine.
"And did he choose you?" The question hurt. Not because I didn't know the answer. Because I did. The answer had haunted me for years. Rowan had chosen duty. Responsibility. The future of Blackridge. The bond.
I happened to be included in that decision. The distinction mattere
