Eden

I pull my chin from his grip and turn toward the dining hall. He’s close on my heels but doesn’t say anything to me the entire walk. When we arrive at D-hall, he grips my shoulder to stop me.

I tense, but not because I don’t want his touch. The heat from his fingers seep through my blazer and shirt and soaks into my skin. I want to lean back into him, and shudder when I feel his breath hot against my ear.

“I don’t care what Nora thinks or wants. Let her and my father tear each other apart,” he hisses. “But neither one of them will touch you.”

A blush burns my cheeks, and I’m glad he’s behind me and can’t see it. His words are so confident and bold, I almost believe them. I almost believe he could defy Nora without either of us getting hurt. It’s tempting to think he’ll protect me from her, but I remember Je

and the fact that everything I’m doing is to protect her and not myself.

Saint doesn’t force me to answer him. Instead, he steps around me and grabs my hand. Keeping his eyes locked straight ahead, he walks into the dining hall with me in tow. I follow without objection or hesitation because I don’t want to acknowledge the point in either anymore.