“I don’t want your pity.”
“Good, because I don’t offer you any.” She toughened her voice with him, knowing he couldn’t abide insincerity or patronization. He was too strong for that. Physically, mentally, and emotionally.
“Then why this elaborate show?”
She snorted at him as she sank her hand in his tangled hair and balled her fist in the silken dark strands. “For such an incredibly smart man, you’re such an idiot.” And with those words, she pulled his lips to hers.
Devyl couldn’t breathe as he tasted the passion she offered. Tasted a desire that he’d never known before.
What fresh hell was this?
But he couldn’t think straight. Not while her tongue swept against his and she clutched at him with a hunger he’d never expected from her. Growling deep in his throat, he fisted his hand in her dress and pressed her body closer to his as he lost himself to a dream he didn’t want to end. How many times had he fantasized about holding her in his arms and having her in his bed? He’d tortured himself with this. Lain awake for hours on end, knowing he could force the issue, and yet refusing to ever hurt her because her heart meant so much more to him than his own base needs. Indeed, he would bleed just to see her smile.
A part of him hated that she had so much power over him. Hated that he couldn’t stop himself from caring. He’d tried so many times to purge her from his thoughts and heart. Nothing had ever worked. The more he attempted to carve her out, the deeper she seemed to sink into his soul. A never-ending madness.
Now this …
He was lost. And only she could anchor him.
Mara closed her eyes as she drank in the scent and taste of her irritating nemesis. And yet right now, she felt something so very different. Not an enemy, but rather a missing piece.
It made no sense. She should hate him. Despise every breath he drew.
And yet, for the first time ever, she didn’t hate him at all. Not even a little. This wasn’t a beast she held. He was a wounded man. One who’d been abandoned and betrayed by everyone he’d ever dared to let near him.
And when he pulled away, she saw vulnerability in his eyes. Never before had he shown that to anyone. He’d always been so steadfast and strong. Incredibly cocksure. No weakness of any kind.
He brushed his thumb against her lips. An action that sent chills down her spine. “What do you want from me, Mara?”
“I don’t know, Duel. Right now, I’m as confused as you are. I’ve spent so many centuries hating you that this concept of not … it leaves me at a loss. But I don’t want to hate you anymore. If you can find it inside yourself to forgive me, I should like to try for a new label.”
“And that is?”
She bit her lip as she considered it. If they weren’t enemies, then what were they? What was left?
“I’m not sure. Friends?”
He snorted. “I want more than that, Mara. Much more.”
In truth, so did she. “I know. But I’m not sure how to give you that.”
He scowled at her.
She smiled at his consternation. “I was scarce more than a girl when you plucked me from my nemeton. You’re the only man I’ve ever been around, Du. Think about it.”
And with that she faded from the room to return to her nestling.
Devyl felt his jaw go slack as he finally understood why her blood had always held so much power for his spells.
So much power for him.
She was virgin still.
“How could I have been so stupid?”
She was right. He was an idiot. Raking his hands over his face, he cursed himself for the fool he’d been. Normally, he could sense such things. Had no problem, point of fact.
Marcelina had always been different. She was his weakness, through and through.
