“Wait… where were you?” I asked.
“I stood outside the door the entire night… because I needed to know you were safe. Because I needed to remind myself…” he muttered. His eyes met mine, dark and burning red. “…that you were really here.”That you were really here.
What did he mean by that?
“You’re joking, right?” I said, though I already knew he wasn’t.
He only rolled his eyes likeIwas the ridiculous one for asking.
“I needed to make sure you weren’t just… gone,” he murmured. “After everything I told you yesterday about me and our world, I didn’t want to risk waking up and finding you missing, or worse.” His confession stirred something deep inside me. I wasn’t sure what to say, so instead, I looked down at the soft blush-colored organza dress laying across the bed.
“I wasn’t sure about this dress at first,” he confessed, his eyes trailing over my body, “until you put it on this perfect body. With your beauty, it will turn into a masterpiece.”
I flushed, my cheeks burning under his gaze. What was wrong with me? My body responded to him as if it had a will of its own… like itrememberedsomething I didn’t.
“Do you need help with the cords?” he asked gently.
I hesitated and shook my head, but then I imagined the touch of his hands on my skin…and it made my pulse quicken. I guess I wanted this more than I was willing to admit.
“Maybe… but turn around until I say so.”
To my surprise, he obeyed without a word. I slipped the dress over my body and struggled with the corset lacing at the back. After a few failed attempts, I felt his hands take over.
When I turned to the mirror, I barely recognized myself. The jeweled bodice shimmered like sunlight dancing on water. As if the sun blessed the dress itself.
“You are utterly stunning,my little demon,” he said quietly.
“Why do you call me that?”
He smirked, brushing his thumb across my lips, parting them.
“Becausedemonsare beautiful, blending into society like a haunting curse… there is this wild and untamed spirit inside you that’s just waiting to be unfurled by me. You challenge me, you ruin my mind, make me restless with need. I yearn for the claws buried beneath your sweet soul, which is teasing every single thought in my mind.” He lifted my chin, his eyes piercing right into my soul. “And…” His tone turned gentle, his eyes glimmering a dark red. “Icraveyour madness.”
A shiver ran down my spine. Every single word branded itself in my heart like a sweet symphony. For a while, neither of us spoke, as his thumb kept brushing over my lips.
“So… what are we doing now?” I whispered finally.
“When it comes tome,” he said, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, “…my intentions are far too unholy to share.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Xavier…”
He smirked. “Whatdoyou want to do?” His fingertips brushed softly over my face and I leaned into his touch, in a way that allowed myself to slip further into madness. Intohim.
I should keep my distance, and should put space between us.I barely knew him, and I shouldn’t forget the world outside this place waiting for an answer from me.
“I was actually thinking…” I turned to face him, eyes narrowing in mock suspicion. “You clearly own magic. And knowledge. And power. So…”
“Yes?” he said, arching a brow, amused.
“Do you know how to open a portal?”
That caught him off guard for a second. His smile faded into something more thoughtful.
“To where?” he asked, voice low and careful.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “Home? Another realm? Where I came from, or maybe… where I belong.”
He studied me for a long moment, the teasing look gone now, replaced with something more solemn.
