"And you never married again."
"No, never." His tone is firm, quiet steel. "Marriage amplifies my power, as you guessed. If I ever needed it for a specific purpose, I would have done it. However, personally, I never wanted to bind myself that way again. Not until you."
My chest twists, tight and unbearable, because I don't know if this is truth or manipulation, or both at once. If he's lying, it's masterful. And if he isn't… then I am the villain in his story.
He leans forward, eyes fixed on me. "In myths, it is always satyrs who chase nymphs. But reality is more complex. A bond between us empowers the nymph as much as the satyr—it is not a cage, but an exchange. Do you see? I wasn't seeking marriage. I turned it away, again and again. The ones who came to me sought the bond for themselves, and I refused. With you, I chose. And the time I took to get to know you was not a game, nor a manipulation. It was me making certain that if I bound myself again, it would be to the right person."
I rub my temples, the weight of everything pressing down just as the servers glide in with dessert. A flawless tiramisu,layered, artful, the kind of thing that should make my mouth water. Instead it makes my stomach turn.
Dessert. Shit. I check my phone under the table. Still nothing. Relief flickers, and then curdles.
"I didn't realize it was so late," I say quickly, pushing back my chair. "I should go."
"Stay for dessert," Darius says, but he rises with me.
"I can't. I've already taken too long. I need to—" my voice wavers, but I force it steady, "I need to think. To process. I'll write to you. But Darius… I'm married."
His jaw tightens a fraction, but he says nothing.
I turn toward the curtains, stepping out of the cocoon of velvet… and my phone explodes. Buzzing, pinging, vibrating with missed calls and messages. Jace. Kayden. Asher. Even Donna. A dozen notifications light the screen, frantic.
I freeze, cold creeping into my gut. Slowly, I glance back.
Darius is watching me, his gaze steady. My eyes sweep the curtained walls, and my heart drops.
"This," I say, voice thin with dawning fury, "whatever this contraption is—it blocked the signal."
"A Faraday cage of sorts," he answers. "I needed your undivided attention."
My hand curls tight around the phone. "And here I thoughtIwas the villain. But you—" My voice cracks sharp, venomous. "You pullthis. No matter what you lost, no matter what you tell yourself, you're still a manipulative bastard."
I spin toward the exit. He follows, steps silent at my back. "I'll take you home," he says. No more excuses or explanations.
I nod stiffly, seething. There's no point going back toCole's. It's too late.
I send a few quick messages:I'm fine. Coming home soon. Don't call.
Kayden calls anyway. His name lights up the screen like a warning flare. I stare at it until it fades, my thumb twitching, but I don't answer.
This is going to be a disaster.
Once I'm back in the car, I turn to the window, fists clenched tight in my lap, just wanting the ride to be over, yet afraid of it ending, too.
"So the truce is on," I say flatly, not a question. "You won't hurt my friends."
"As promised." His calm tone grates.
"You're staying in Briar Hollow?" I ask.
"Yes. I hope you'll at least consider working with the project. If you stray from your purpose too long, the ache will grow worse."
I whip my gaze toward him. "You're saying that to get me closer."
His lips curve faintly. "Yes, that as well. But also for your own good. Nature gave you this new life for a reason. Have you noticed the ache worsening? Any other disturbances?"
I snap back, "The biggest disturbance is sitting in front of me." My words are sharp, but the truth twists in my chest. Because I have felt it lately, little surges of unease, heaviness I chalked up to anxiety.
"One of the reasons you felt so lost when you first came to us," he says softly, "was because of this. Because you weren't fulfilling your purpose. Working with me eased it. You know that."
