Her eyes glazed as her mouth opened, forming a perfect little oh, as a shaky breath escaped her.
“Look at me,” I said as I caught her gaze. “You are a powerful, legendary creature, Violet. Granted, you have been brainwashed by mortals and their ever-present need to pigeonhole everyone that does not fit their molds, but make no mistake. You would not be here, at Blackthorn, if you were anything but extraordinary.”
Her gaze searched mine as her shoulders relaxed.
“And for what it is worth, anyone in this academy would be blessed to beyourfriend,” I said.
“Even you?” she whispered, biting her lip.
My thumb brushed over the spot of her bottom lip where she bit it with her teeth, and I fought to control my breath.
Never in the history of my heat, had I felt so torn, so enamored with someone.
Because she is my anam cara.
My mate.
The word echoed in my head as I tried to wrap myself around it.
I belonged to this faerie, this woman who did not know the capabilities or magic she possessed.
Who had been diluted by mortal idiocracy.
“I am not worthy of your blessings, Violet. I—”
“Shouldn’t I be the judge of that?” she asked, just as the sound of sizzling herbs, bacon, and mushrooms called my attention. I dropped my hand, clearing my throat as I made way for my chicken and carried my prep board full of items to the stove.
Facing the stove she couldn’t see as I took a deep breath, fighting to regain my control once again.
My cock throbbed, my monster angry I had not taken the moment to capture her lips against mine as I wished I could. I wanted to touch, to kiss away all her sorrows until she remembered just how powerful she truly was.
Powerful enough to revive a dead forest.
Powerful enough to bring an incubus to his knees with just akiss.
Powerful enough to be brought to Blackthornearly.
Violet McCreanor was not mediocre, and it was time she understood that.
“Of course,” I said as I flipped the chicken in the pan, watching as the butter and herbs among the mushrooms sizzled, picking up flavor. My own stomach growled, and I had to admit I was hungry as well.
I walked about the kitchen finding plates and dining wear for our impromptu dinner.
“You tell me I am extraordinary, but you act as if you yourself aren’t anything of the such,” she said, and I sighed.
“Because I’m not, Violet. If anything, I am cursed. I am a creature of lust who is reaped of my lust until I have fulfilled my use. That is not extraordinary. It is pathetic.’
“Is that what you think?” she asked, rising from her stool.
I turned away from her, for I didn’t wish to see her sympathy or guilt. The feelings inside of me threatened to rise up, and I fought to push them down.
“I do not think, I know.”
I flipped the chicken, refusing to turn around.
“You are here at Blackthorn, are you not? Surely that means something,” she said softly.
I shook my head. “I am here because my father suggested I get on with my life after I ruined—” I felt myself dangerously close to the edge of telling all my secrets to the pink haired minx who had a way of getting under my skin.
