The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 520

Liora’s POV

Marcus was asleep within an hour of the plan being finalized.

I wasn’t sure exactly when Zane came back. Sometime during the planning he had quietly slipped through the door and dropped himself into the chair in the corner without speaking, his arms folded across his chest, his head bowed. By the time Marcus closed his eyes, Zane’s chest was already rising and falling slowly and evenly.

Callum hadn’t said much through any of the conversation. He just stood at the window the whole time with his arms crossed and his back half-turned, and when Marcus was finished laying out the plan, all he said was, “I’ll be back in a minute,” and walked out without looking at me.

That was close to an hour ago.

I checked the blankets around Marcus once more, gently resting my hand on his shoulder for a minute as if feeling his chest moving was a reminder that he was still alive, then quietly made my way out into the hall. The inn was quiet at this hour, save for the faint sound of voices and cutlery in the bar below.

I looked up one way and down the other. There was a staircase leading up, with a sign that read “Rooftop” in bold letters.

If Callum went anywhere, it was probably there.

Just as I suspected, when I emerged into the cool night air, Callum was sitting on the ledge with his legs hanging over the side, forearms on his knees, looking up at the stars.

I crossed the roof and sat beside him, close enough that our shoulders brushed. The city was mostly dark now, just a few lamps burning low in distant windows. The palace was visible from here, same as it had been from our room; white stone catching what little moonlight managed to break through the clouds, distant and clean and perfect, like a golden beacon in the night sky.

If only the insides of those familiar halls didn’t feel as black as ash right now.

Callum glanced at me sidelong.

“I know what you’re going to say,” I said as his lips parted.

He huffed and looked back up at the stars. “Then I guess I don’t need to say it, then, huh?”

I shrugged. “You could anyway. Get it out.”

He let out a breath. “I don’t like that you’re doing this.”

“I know.”

“I know you need to do what’s best for the kingdom. But there’s a part of me that still wishes we could run away together. Leave all this behind.”

I glanced at him. His jaw was tight, his eyes still gazing up at a constellation overhead.

“I wish we could, too,” I said quietly. “But that’s not the way it’s ever been for me.”

He nodded, I leaned into him a little and he made room, his arm settling around my back.

The stars were out. While we were on the run, tucked under tree cover, hurtling down dark roads, I hadn’t once looked up. I’d forgotten there were this many.

Mia knew their names. All of them.

I winced at the thought and shut my eyes for a moment, biting back the tears that were burning there, and didn’t open them again until they felt dry..

“I’m not doing this to be reckless, you know,” I said.

“I know.”

He laid his jacket down on the flat stone and drew me down beside him, and I went without argument. We took our time for once, fingers gently pulling apart buttons, palms pushing up fabric, because the urgency could wait, because it had been waiting long enough already, and because if tonight was all I could be certain of, then I was going to savor it.

The stars stayed out the whole time.

Afterward, breathless, I laid with my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. His arm was around my shoulders, the other folded under his head, and his thumb moved against my arm, back and forth, lulling me into a half-asleep state.

Somewhere in the distance, the clock in the middle of the city rang midnight.

“Callum,” I murmured.

“Hm?”

“Whatever happens tonight,” I said, “I want you to know that you don’t need to keep your heart hidden away.” I splayed my fingers across his chest, lifting my head, and looked up at him. “I love you, and I’m going to keep it safe, just like the kingdom.”

Callum’s lips formed a small smile, and he leaned forward, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

Just then, the door behind us cracked open. Zane poked his head out. “It’s time,” he said.

I sat up and pulled my jacket on. The palace was still there. Same white stone, same lit windows, same imposing walls that felt less like home than ever..

Callum stood, offering me his hand and helping me to my feet.

“Ready?” he asked.

“No,” I said. “Let’s go.”