You will, because there’s only a little of me inside you. But not Eryx.
My knees weaken and I press myself against one of the hallway walls to keep from falling over. I stay there, back against the cool stone for a moment, breathing, thinking, turning this whole thing over and over until I realize something.
I will not, under any circumstances, allow Helena Buttercup to take Nightmare from Eryx. If it means eating every nightmare in the world, I’ll do it.
I’m in love with him. Not falling. Not maybe.
In love. Completely. Irreversibly.
In the back of my mind, Nightmare purrs in approval.
I thought marriage meant losing myself. But loving Eryx doesn't make me smaller.
It makes me fierce. Protective.
I never thought love would make me want to become a monster. But I'll become the monster I need to if it keeps him alive.
Whether he likes it or not.
Eryx
You were too hard on her.
No, I wasn’t,I bite back.
She looked at us with angry eyes. I think I might cry.
I sigh.It was our first fight, Nightmare. It’s going to be fine.
It goes very still, like it can’t quite believe what it’s processing.Our first fight! No! You’ve got to apologize. Have makeup sex! You’ve got to do it.
Let’s calm down.
I will not, until you go to her room and apologize for being a nincompoop.
The words grind out of me.I was not a nincompoop.
Says you.There’s a beat of silence before it adds,It’s been hours since we got home. Go talk to her.
Not now.I shake my head.Besides, without her distracting us, you can get back to plotting murder.
Murder is so pedestrian. Let’s put our head in her lap.
As much as I hate to admit it, Nightmare’s right. It felt like a spear had been flung straight through my heart when Chelsea said she was going someplace without me.
Yesterday we destroyed a room with our magic. Now she won't look at me.
This hurts worse than the monster's claws.
Apologize. Get down on your knees. Maybe she’ll still forgive us.
Maybe I was too dismissive. But I can’t…
Just say it, Eryx. Admit you love her. Admit you’ve loved her since the moment we met her in the shrubbery.
The words hit me like a physical blow.
Love her. I…
