After Arthur had stepped out, he paused by the door.

He leaned against it for a moment and closed his eyes.

Anger still bubbled in his veins, irritation still clawed at his skin.

But he needed a moment. A moment to sort through the confusion in his head.

He turned and braced a forearm on the door, and leaned his head against it.

Through the mate bond, he could feel her pain. He could feel every single emotion that ran through her.

And it tore him apart.

He gritted his teeth, the gold in ...