My chin trembled, and it was only a matter of time before the waterworks started. Not knowing what else to do, I leaned over the driver’s seat and wrapped my arms around him. I’d never had a friend like him, someone who would’ve given up their day to keep me company at my dying mother’s bedside. I’d come to Eden expecting to be alone when this was over, and instead I found James. If there was ever a reason to stay in Eden, it was him.
“At least take the car,” I said into his shoulder. “You shouldn’t walk home in the dark like this.”
He started to protest, but I pulled back and gave him a look, and he nodded. “Thanks.”
By the time I managed to pry myself away from him and exit the car, I was a tearful, snotty mess, but I didn’t care. Next to the sidewalk, I could see the bare patch of dirt in the garden and the pile of weeds still sitting on the lawn.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said, his voice carrying from the driveway. I nodded, unable to speak, and waved goodbye to him, using the last of what little strength I had left to force a smile.
I stepped inside, my hands trembling, but I knew there was no point being afraid of an empty house, no matter how strongly my mother’s scent lingered. I would be living alone for a very long time.
Wandering listlessly through the halls, I ran my hand across each surface I passed, staring blankly ahead into the darkness. Tonight marked the end of the only chapter in my life I’d ever known, and I didn’t know how to live in the emptiness ahead.
When midnight came and the doorbell rang, I was curled up in my mother’s bed, still wearing my clothes from that day. It took me two rings to decide to answer it, and even then, I took my time rolling out of bed and making my way down the stairs. Clutching my mother’s pillow to my chest, I opened the door, expecting it to be James.
It was Henry.
My stomach dropped to my knees, and the fog that clouded my head evaporated.
“Hello, Kate.” His voice was like honey, and I was suddenly acutely aware of how awful I looked. “Do you remember me?”
How could I possibly forget? “Yeah,” I said hoarsely. “You’re Henry.”
“I am.” There was something sad behind his smile, something I related to all too well. “This is my valet, Walter.”
I eyed the second man, my hand still gripping the doorknob. He was older, his hair gray and skin wrinkled, and his pale face was drawn. “Hi,” I said uncertainly.
“Hello, Miss Winters.” He smiled warmly. “May we come in?”
There was no point in worrying about whether or not they were here to kidnap me. Ava was right; if that was Henry’s plan, I would have been in the back of a van with my hands duct taped together by now. Besides, it didn’t matter anymore. With a nod, I opened the door wide enough for them to enter.
I nervously led them into the living room. After flipping on the lights, I sat down in the armchair, giving them both no choice but to sit on the couch. Henry took a seat as if he’d been here a thousand times before, and in the light, it was easier to see his face. He looked as young and gorgeous as before. “Do you know what day it is?”
I wasn’t even sure what month it was anymore, but there was only one reason Henry would show up on my front porch. “It’s the—the autumn equinox, right?”
“Very good,” said Henry. “Did you read up on Perseph one?”
My mouth went dry, and I nodded.
“And are you prepared to uphold your end of our bargain?”
I looked back and forth between them uncertainly. Maybe they were here to kidnap me after all. “I’m not really sure what our bargain is.”
Walter was the one who spoke. “In exchange for the life of your friend, you have agreed to spend the autumn and winter at Eden Manor. Every autumn and winter, if things go as planned.”
I stared at him. “Excuse me?”
“As our honored guest, of course,” he added. “You will be treated with the utmost care and respect, and you will have everything you could ever ask for.”
“Wait.” I stood too quickly, and the blood rushed to my head. I fought off the dizziness, refusing to stumble in front of them. “You mean for the rest of my life, I have to spend six months with you? That was our deal?”
“Yes,” said Henry. He raised a hand to silence Walter, and he, too, stood. “I am aware it will not be easy, and you will face certain—challenges. But I assure you that I will do everything I can to ensure you are safe and happy. For the other six months a year, you may do whatever you wish. You may have an entirely separate life, if you would like—you will have complete freedom. And while you are with me, you will be treated like a queen. I will do everything in my power to make you happy.”
He was dead serious, I realized. Latching onto one word in particular, I remembered the myth and my blood ran cold.
“Queen,” I said, spitting the word out bitterly. “You mean you want me to be your wife?”
Henry frowned. “I am not proposing marriage to you, Kate. With your mother’s death, you will soon have nothing holding you here, and I am offering you a chance at a life you cannot possibly imagine.”
I bristled. How did he know about my mother? “What do you get in return? I’m not going to sleep with you if that’s where you’re going with this. I’m not that kind of person.”
He and Walter exchanged amused glances. “I assure you that all I want is the pleasure of your company. The platonic sort.”
Somehow I didn’t think that was all he was getting, but there was no point in even pretending it was an option. I wasn’t about to spend six months of the rest of my life with a stranger no matter what he offered me.
“No,” I said. “Thank you for your offer, but you’re crazy, and no. Now if you don’t mind, I have to sleep.”
They didn’t argue. Walter stood to join Henry and me, and I led them both to the front door, holding it open so they had no excuse to linger. As Henry exited, he stopped, his body less than a foot away from mine. He really was beautiful, and with him so close, it was hard to remember exactly why spending six months with him would be such a bad thing.
“Do you understand what will happen if you do not uphold your end of our deal?”
Ah, right. Because no matter how gorgeous he was, he was still crazy. “I don’t know, and I don’t care,” I said firmly. “Now please leave.”