Him. The one responsible for swiping the earth from beneath Olivia’s feet, leaving her to tumble through an empty abyss.
I slowly slid out of bed, eyeing her the whole time. She didn’t stir, and I was grateful, hoping sleep would hold her safe for as long as possible. As I stood on unsteady legs, my head swam, and it took a moment for the haze to clear. The medication hadn’t worn off yet.
I walked out of the room without a single glance to him, failing miserably at appearing resolute. My steps were uneven, and I couldn’t help but hold my hands out before me in case I ran into something.
I tried to remain as calm as possible as I walked with the devil behind me. Once I was in my room, I whirled around to face him but had to catch myself on my bedpost as the room began to spin.
Alaric shut the door behind him and stalked towards me. Once he was about two feet in front of me, I couldn’t take it anymore. I lunged. My balled-up fists pummeled into his chest one after the other. I ignored the pain that burst through my chest, shoving it aside. I didn’t realize I was beginning to tip over, and the manactually held me upright, supporting me so that I could keep pounding my fists into his chest, which was so hard I was likely only hurting myself.
“How could you?” I sobbed.
“He was the one that exposed himself,” he said it so nonchalantly I reeled back.
“Youturned him.Youdid this.”
He shrugged.Shrugged.
I felt the sharp sting ricochet throughout my hand before I registered it slapping his face. His head snapped to the side, and he stayed that way for what seemed like an eternity, his body still as a statue. An evil, cursed statue that was about to awaken with a vengeance.
Horror snaked through me as he turned his head back to me far too slowly. I was still in his arms, much too close to the detonation zone. Dread washed over me like ice water at his empty face, his hollowed eyes that darkened further each passing second.
“Is that any way to treat your future husband?” His voice was so low and calm it sent a shiver through me.
“You’re delusional,” I whispered.
Clearly, I had a death wish because I raised my fists again, putting all of my weight behind them. Before they could make contact, he snatched my wrists and shoved me down onto the bed. I cried out at the pain but bit my lip to keep quiet. I barely escaped my third exorcism, there was no surviving a fourth.
My eyes widened as he climbed atop me, straddling my hips and pinning my wrists above my head. He was socold. I gasped out trying to breath through my angered injuries.
“Are you in pain, sweet dove?” he crooned. “Well, you should have thought of that before you attacked me like some rabid feline.” He lowered his head, his face just inches from mine. “Stop squirming. You’re only hurting yourself, love.”
I scoffed. “Love?What do you know about love?” I immediately regretted the words as they left me. I shouldn’t have. He was the demon everyone believed the vampires to be. But now that I knew more about him, I felt for him in a way I didn’t think possible. And it scared me. I couldn't control it, no matter how guilty it made me feel. A guilt with far-reaching roots that extended beyond my comprehension.
He tilted his head to the side as he examined me. I feared he could see right through me. He leaned in closer. I inhaled his scent. Forbidden woods dampened from an autumn rain and sweet spices. “I only hope you never discover what I know about love, though there are things even I cannot prevent from happening.”
I couldn’t decipher his words any more than I could decipher my feelings.
“What do you want?” I whispered.
“A date.”
“Adate?”
“What I really want is your compliance. My patience is running thin at your insolence.” A mischievous light brightened his eyes. “You know, sweet dove, there are measures I could take to make you more agreeable, and your fragile human life is less than ideal.” His cold fingers stroked down my neck, leaving trails of ice in their wake. “This way you’ll be with me for as long as we both shall live.”
A breath escaped my lungs as I realized what he was suggesting. The blood drained from my face. I think my lip actually quivered. His thumb ran across it. A pang of fear shot through me as his lips nearly brushed mine, but he only grazed his nose along my cheekbone.
“There is no need to be afraid, darling,” he murmured.
Sparks danced across my skin, fading into warmth that went deep. My body melted into the soft bedding. That strange sense of calm roamed through me.No.
“No, don’t take away my fear,” I breathed.
He chuckled darkly. “So, he told you about that, did he? Always the noble one.” His last words turned bitter. A stronger surge washed through me.
“Please, don’t,” I whispered, my voice growing weak.
“It makes you more”—sharpened points grazed across my neck—“pliable, but if you insist.”
