“Danni, I have treated you terribly. And I want to apologize for that. My kind hopes and dreams about one day finding their fated mate, and I have squandered the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent relationship we have.”
Oh. So, we were havingthisconversation.
“Woah, slow down there,” I reply. “You don’t have to do this. We’re practically strangers, I don’t even know your last name.”
Knox’s mouth twitches upwards as his eyes search mine. “No, I have to do this now. Just let me say what I have to say before I lose my nerve.” I swallow and take a deep breath in. Whatever he’s about to tell me, it could either shatter me or pull me into his web even more. “And it’s Collard, by the way.”
My eyebrows scrunch. “What?”
“My last name. It’s Collard.”
I’m taken aback, I was expecting something… less human. Something more ethereal or majestic.
He nervously runs his hand through his hair. “You must understand that we are, first and foremost, predators. I’ve done everything I can to keep you away, to make sure you fear me and this realm. But it causes me physical pain to treat you like this. Ican’t keep doing it.” He anxiously paces the floor. “I’m terrified of what will happen if they discover what you are to me.”
I swallow and ask tentatively, “And what am I to you, exactly?”
Knox throws his head back and laughs, his hands falling limp at his sides as his posture slouches. “Isn’t it obvious? You are everything. And yet nothing at all. I must bind you to me and be your master, but how can I when I know you won’t follow a single command that I give you? You hate me for what I am, and I don’t blame you for that, but I hate that we can never be more than allies working towards the same goal—to get you out of here.”
I can’t think, let alone breathe.
He stills. “Your presence is killing me, Danni. Because I can’t have you in the way that I want you, because they will murder you in your sleep if they ever find out that I care about anything else in this world other than myself.”
My breath hitches further as I look at the broken man in front of me. My heart shatters—for him and for me. Because no matter how hard I fight this, I feel the same way.
“Knox, I don’t hate you. You make me feel like I’m going insane. When you’re here, I’m terrified you’re going to rip out my throat, but I’m more terrified that I’d actually let you!” The admission falls from my mouth to hang between us on a thread of silence.
“I would never hurt you,” he whispers, closing the space between us to rest his forehead on mine.
And it all feels so right.
His hands find their way to my neck and then to my jawline; with his knuckle, he tips up my chin, giving me no choice but to look at him.
“We can never be more than what we are at this very moment. Do you understand?”
Tears prick at the corner of my eyes. We admitted our feelings, but has it really changed anything? Do I want it to change? I’m practically a vampire hunter, complete with a sharp stake tucked tightly in my bag, just waiting for the right moment to strike. And he is the sole heir to Cyprian’s throne.
I’m so tired. Tired of being a good person. Tired of fighting for people who don’t want my help.
But before I can answer him, the room swims back into focus. People surround us once more and the music is louder than ever as golden confetti cascades down from the ceiling.
27
Danni
“There you two are!Egor’s about to give his speech. I thought I’d have to send out a search party.” Celeste appears at my side, linking her arm with mine. I frown at her pale veiny arm.
“What are you doing?” I ask, glaring at her while trying to pull out of her grasp.
Why is she being so friendly?
After our conversation earlier, I know she doesn’t want to kill me as badly as she did before, but what about her argument with Knox? The bond certainly doesn’t like her right now. Her kindness could all be one big plan of hers to get him back, to lure me in with friendship and then steal Knox away from me.
No, that wouldn’t happen. He wouldn’t do that.Those words, those thoughts, those feelings… It’s just Damon’s poison spreading doubt through my mind.
Celeste rolls her eyes and sighs. “Body guard, remember?” she hisses haughtily.
Of course, everyone here has their own little roles to play, especially since so many of the vampires want my head on a spike. A tiny flicker of fear ignites inside of me. I can only hope nobody will notice.
