“All day,youare all I can think of, and at night, you’re…you’re always there. In my dreams, always the same dream.”
My heart fluttered; my cheeks flushed. Was it true, then? Was that the only reason why he wanted to remove the mark? Why he looked at me with shameful eyes? Why he asked me to leave? But where would this lead us?
I needed to focus on reality, because this, it didn’t matter anyway. This thing between us, whatever it was, could never happen. It only happened in novels.The Lord and the Poor Servant, I would name it. A thing of possibility in a fairy tale but not in real life.
I’ve been craving you for a very long time, too, I wished to say. But I did not say those words. As much as I wanted to, I swallowed hard, pushing them deep within.Donotfall for him.Thiscan never be.
“Oh, and Cordelia, if any other male tries to even think about fucking you, Boreas help me, I will rip their godsdamned throats out and feed them to the wolves.”
Why did he have to say that? And why does he have to look like that? It isn’t fair.
“Why?” I breathed, as I acknowledged the raspy words at the back of my mind whispering to me in a haunting laugh.But you know that you have already fallen for him.Hard.
He moved closer, slowly and silently, like a predator moving towards his prey. I couldn’t move; my knees quivered, threatening to fail me. I could do nothing but stare at him as he approached, stopping just one tiny step away. This male—who fed me, strengthened me,killedfor me.
Aegir reached his hand and tucked a lock of loose hair behind my ear, moving his fingers along the length of my hair, until they grazed my belly. I melted at his touch, at our proximity.
His hand moved around my waist, pulling me close. Our chests brushed. He lifted his other so that his palm rested at the side of my marked neck. His thumb tipped my chin. Heleaned closer. And I could feel his sweet breath on my lips as he whispered to me, “Because, Cordelia, you are nobody else’s but m—”
His cooed words were sharply cut by ones of distress.
CHAPTER 34
“Aegir! Quickly, you must come.”
I was startled back to reality. Aegir let go of my waist and we both whipped our heads towards Eldric. His eyes went from Aegir to me, then settled back on Aegir.
“What’s wrong?” Aegir asked.
“The Phoenix is here.”
“What? What’s that reeking bastard doing here?” Aegir hissed, breath misty.
“Well, looking for you. He’s perched on the red monument. He told you to hurry.”
“The Phoenix?” I asked.
“It’s the Fire King’s pet. It can shift into a human form,” Eldric answered, his tone bitter.
“Is it dangerous?”
“It’s evil incarnate,” Aegir spit, shaking his head. He strapped on his twin axes.
“The red monument is in the schoolyard at the School of Dunes,” I mumbled. I rushed towards the stable entrance and looked up. I searched for the sun, trying to figure out what time of day it was. I also tried to remember how long ago it was that I heard the castle chimes. Shit! “The Belzari twins go there and, oh gods, Sabriela! We must hurry.”
I had barely taken a couple of steps. Aegir wrapped an arm around my belly and pulled me back inside. “You’re staying here.”
I turned myself around, to face him. “I’m coming with you.”
“I’m not letting you anywhere near that bastard’s sight. Wait for me here, I’ll come back once it’s safe.” The look I gave him did not require any words.
I will do no such thing!
“Promise me, Cordelia. Promise me that you’ll stay here.” Our eyes locked. I couldn’t bring myself to promise him something that I knew I would immediately break.
“Gods damn it,” he mumbled beneath his breath. I didn’t realise he’d moved us. My back was now pinned to the stable stall just as I had many times envisioned. I was too distracted, working his mouth, accepting the heated kiss that made Eldric look away. Because that’s what it was. A distraction. Before breaking our kiss, Aegir opened the water valve, soaking my feet. He froze my shoes, anchoring me to the ground. “I’m sorry. I—I won’t risk you.” Then he followed Eldric outside and urged, “Let’s go.” The two of them sprinted away.
“Wait!” My desperate shout was in vain.
