With his back to him, he rubbed a hand over his face, gaping down at the dark-stained wooden floor. “I took your father awayfrom you, chased you around with the threat of a curse. Do you honestly expect me to believe you created a city for my benefit?”
Finnian’s chair scooted back, making ascratchsound against the wood.
Cassian could feel him moving in, his body heat drifting against his backside, like a blanket of comfort he desperately wanted to lean into.
One day, when you know the kiss of love, all you will have left is regret.
An ache cracked his ribcage. He couldn’t do it. If he ever came to regret his actions involving Finnian, he wasn’t sure he could live with himself.
Cassian removed his hand from his hair, fingers coiling into a fist.
I should have stayed away.
I have no choice here.
He whipped around, eyes blazing. “We loathe each other. You raise the dead and I despise you for it.”
Finnian’s nostrils flared. “You also cannot curse me. You’ve chased me, yes, but you always help me. You sent your god of death to check up on me regularly, prior to creating my city. Say whatever you wish out of your conflicted feelings, but you came here today for the same reason I crafted a spell to keep every deity out of my home but you.”
Cassian’s eyes slightly widened.
He hadn’t even considered such a thing. A mage's power was endless with their knowledge, and Finnian mentioned it previously. Hollow City was protected by magic from the war, from other deities even locating it. Of course he had enough sense to protect his home.
Only Cassian was an exception.
A peace filled the hollow patches within his chest.
Finnian’s trust meant something to him, and he held it in the palm of his hand like a gift.
This is what Ruelle is waiting for.
He scoured Finnian’s face, brow crumbling in defeat.
She will use him. Just like she used Saoirse.
He did not know what to do.
And it will destroy me this time.
The water screamed in its pot.
“I should not have come, but I ache when I am not in your presence,” Cassian’s voice strained.
The tension melted from Finnian’s features.
His eyes fell to Cassian’s lips, and he inhaled deeply. “And do you think I do not share the same feeling?”
Gods, Cassian craved him. The desire swelled outside of his skin and consumed him whole.
I am not strong enough for this.
Cassian’s mouth went dry, the breath in his lungs swiftly draining the longer he held Finnian’s gaze. “You cannot care about me.”
Finnian took a daring step closer. “Oh, it is far too late for that.”
Cassian’s pulse flickered, and he backed away, his tailbone meeting the edge of the cabinet.
“I will hurt you if I let you in,” he said, breathless against his own desire.
