PAULINE
"You promised me." I scrambled to my feet, my legs shaking. "You gave me your word."
"Well, I lied." His mouth curved into something that was not quite a smile. "You know I lied."
"You would have me judged by the elders?" My voice climbed higher. "Me? The mother of your children?"
He looked at me for a long moment. Then he straightened his shoulders and spoke words that shattered my world.
"Pauline, before the goddess, I reject you in every way and sever what once was, what will be, what could be, and what will never be."
"No!"
The scream tore from my throat, but it was already too late.
The bond snapped.
Pain exploded through every nerve ending in my body. It felt like someone had taken a blade made of fire and ice and dragged it through my chest, carving out everything that made me whole.
I collapsed to my knees, my hands clawing at my chest as though I could somehow hold the pieces together.
