When he pulled himself back, his gaze slipped from mine.
“For a moment there.” I forced myself to look up at the moon as it clung to the starlit sky. It was a tiny silver anchor when I felt I couldn’t say the rest. “I almost thought you meant it.” It was dangerous that I wanted him to mean it. It would be better if he didn’t. “Tell me you didn’t, Fyn.”
“I didn’t.” His chest heaved.
The starlight flared within me.
I turned toward the wall, shielding him from my reaction.
Sensing his truth—feeling mine—it shattered me.
“Ashlyn?” His hand pressed into my wrist, tenderly cradling it. “Are you ill?”
I didn’t pull back from him. “I asked you about magic because the starlight altered me and now I’m terrified of what I know.”
“Altered you how?” His eyes dulled as he looked me over. “You can tell me.”
“It burned when I drank it. There are times I still feel its heat.”
“You feel magic?” he whispered. “The starlight altered you with it?”
“It flares when a lie is told.” I wouldn’t keep it from him. It felt terrible that I knew his truth without his permission. “I know you just lied to me.”
He shook his head, finally dropping his hold on my wrist.
“I was hoping…” A ragged breath escaped me.
All this time I had run from it. I had let it be a feeling I refused to name, because it was easier.
I was human. He was fae.
He shouldn’t have wanted anything to do with me.
I shouldn’t have wanted anything to do with him.
“Tell me what you need from me.” His jaw twitched as he reached for me.
“I need…” I needed him. Wanted him.
“I meant it.” His words quaked. “I?—”
“Don’t say anything else.” It was too dangerous for him to say another word.
“You need to know I never wanted to push you or make you uncomfortable around me.” His hand reached for mine as I stepped back. “I was only ever trying to be what you needed.”
I blinked until the water in my eyes subsided as folded my quaking hands in front of me. “I...” I wanted a life no one would give me. “Someone will notice I’m missing. I should go.”
I turned from him and didn’t look back as I made my way down the hall.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
FYN
Iwatched her walk away again. It should have hurt less each time.
The light within her ignited me. I would keep the memory of it.
Even if it burned me.
