“This looks delicious,” I say, meaning it, “but I’d better go check on Hanna.”
“I have already checked on her,” Lucian replies smoothly. “A maid is helping her get dressed as we speak. However, if you want to get dressed and go to her?—”
“Yes, I do,” I say immediately.
I cross to the wardrobe and choose a simple but flattering dress in dark blue, my movements suddenly careful and self-conscious. As I dress, the silence between me and Lucian stretches. It feels heavy…loaded somehow. As though both of us are waiting for the other to say something. Only I’m not talking—I’m practically out the door.
I hesitate with my hand on the knob.
We made love last night. He made me come over and over and over again. I let him come inside me.
Does any of that mean anything to him? Or am I being stupid and old-fashioned—thinking sex is supposed to mean something?
With most of the men I’ve dated, it never did—it was purely transactional. I was lonely and wanted company—they wanted my body. Once they had it, they lost interest…moved on…checked out.
But with Lucian, it felt different. He was so sweet to me—telling me to go slow, not to hurt myself on him. I can still remember how he held me afterwards, twining our bodies as though he couldn’t bear to let me go.
But now he’s distant…focused…already moving on with his day.
Well, maybe he’s just distracted. I should probably give him another chance—give him the benefit of the doubt.
I turn back to look at him.
“Lucian,” I say. “About last night…”
“Hm?” He looks up from his papers. “Ah yes—are you feeling better this morning? The need is gone?”
“Oh, um, yes. Yes, I—thank you,” I say awkwardly.
“Good. I’m glad.” He nods distractedly. “You look ravishing today, by the way. You’d better hurry if you want to spend time with Hanna before the two of you go home.”
His words hit me like a bucket of ice water.
“Wait…did you say both of us are going home? As in, both Hanna and me going back to the Human world?”
“Why yes, isn’t that what you wanted?” He raises an eyebrow. “From the moment I brought you here, you’ve been looking for a way back to the Human world… back to your old life. And I know you’ll want to be with Hanna, to be sure she’s safe as the two of you cross back through the In-between.”
My heart cracks at his casual tone—at the easy way he’s parting from me.
So that’s it. Whatever he said before…whatever he promised…whatever last night was to me, clearly he didn’t feel it. And this connection I feel to him now—well, I guess it’s purely one-sided.
He got what he wanted, and now he’s done. Just like all of the human guys I’ve dated in the past. It meant nothing to him—nothing but a way to get his dick wet.
You’re so stupid, Jules, I scold myself, trying not to cry. Such an idiot, thinking he cared.
But I won’t let the tears fall—I won’t let him see how much it hurts me. I lift my chin, refusing to let him see how much this casual parting is hurting me—how it’s tearing me up inside.
“Oh, uh, yes. Yes, of course.” My voice is steady despite everything. “Thank you for letting me go back with her.”
“Of course, my darling—I can’t keep you here with me if you wish to go home. I care for you too much for that.”
The words should sound kind but they don’t. They sound casual…final.
Dismissive.
They sound like a door closing in my face.
I nod once, afraid that if I speak again my voice will betray me.
