Onyx tried to hide his amusement, but I saw hints of it in the soft curve of his lips. “When the enemy king learned of their love, he became so enraged that he tried to strike down his own daughter. But the demon king threw himself in front of her and covered her body with his. Protecting her. As his blood spilled on the grass, the lily bloomed. The red petals symbolize his sacrifice for the one he loved.”
“That’s sad.”
“Indeed.” A distant look touched his eyes. “The lily now appears when a demon’s fated mate is near, leading the two together. It’s a symbol of the purest, most selfless love. Or so the legend goes.”
Like the red string of fate.
An all too familiar restless ache stirred in my chest. And with it, a realization.
“When I first woke up here at the castle and told you I saw the lilies, you were shocked.” My voice was quiet. “I heard you say, ‘so it’s true.’ You were referring to the legend, weren’t you?”
His expression hardened before he looked away. “It was a slip of the tongue and nothing more.”
“You’re lying.” I turned toward him on the cushion. “That’s why you don’t want to get closer to me, isn’t it? Because you know I’m your fated mate and you’re fighting it. I just can’t figure out why.”
Onyx focused on his goblet and slowly moved it in circles. “The hour is late. You should return to your lovers.”
“Stop trying to push me away, Onyx,” I snapped. “I saw the lilies, and they led me to you. Just as the legend says.”
Albeit subtle, his jaw trembled. “I made a mistake by allowing you here.”
“Here as in your realm?” I asked, shifting closer to him on the couch. “Or here as in your room?”
“Both.” There was a swallow in his throat. “You will be my undoing, little bird. Just as I will be yours.”
“Because you think love makes you weak?” A pressure built in my rib cage.
The muscle in his jaw tensed.
“Look. I know it’s scary. Terrifying, really. I’m restless when you’re close, Onyx. Every nerve ending in my body stirs. I feel you without even touching you.” Slowly, I reached for his face. He recoiled a little before letting me cup his cheek. “But even if it’s scary, I also crave it. I crave you.”
“Don’t,” he whispered.
My gaze fell to his lips. “Don’t what?”
“Tempt me.” His unsteady breath hinted at an internal battle. “I may not be able to resist.”
“What if I don’t want you to resist?” The yearning ache in my core gnawed deeper. I couldn’t blame him for opposing our fated bond. It really was fucking scary, this intensity.
“Then you truly are a reckless fool.” He’d said the words with a rawness in his voice and shifted away from me. “You will find no happiness with me, little bird, only heartache.”
Beyond the physical distance, I sensed the emotional barrier he’d placed between us, like a battle-weary soldier raising a shield to block another arrow.
“You don’t know that for sure.” I leaned in closer and grabbed his hand, placing it on the side of my neck. “You say we’ll be each other’s undoing, but what if this bond between us grows into something amazing instead?”
“Evan,” he said with a shaky exhale. His brows furrowed as he slid a hand to my nape and gently squeezed, tipping my head up to align our mouths. “You should’ve spread your wings and flown away while you still could.”
His lips crashed to mine.
The taste of red wine exploded on my tongue, followed by traces of his woodsy scent. I moaned against his mouth and curled my fingers into the back of his hair, gripping the long, silky strands. My body moved on its own, driven by the desire to surrender to him in every possible way. I straddled his lap and deepened the kiss.
Was I playing with fire? Most definitely. But maybe I didn’t mind being burned by his flames.
Onyx slipped his hands beneath the hem of my tunic and caressed my lower back. Every light touch caused the pressure inside me to build higher, fanning the flames of what would be one hell of an explosion. He pushed his tongue into my mouth and lifted his hips, grinding into me.
Arousal spiked in my blood, eliciting an army of tingles all over my body. But it wasn’t enough.
“More,” I murmured against his lips. “I need more.”
