Page 180 of Blood of the Fairest

Still…for love's sake?

Do I love her? Is that what this feeling is that has consumed me for days—weeks, even?

I watch Verena down another goblet before speaking. It's been too long since I've felt her touch, so I reach across the table to hold one of her hands, interlacing our fingers once more.

"Is the wine helping?"

She nods. "Thanks again for bringing it."

She still hasn't returned to her typical quick-witted, playful self after sharing some of her past. I hate that she is from a world where something so horrible could happen to someone so good.

I don't want her going back there. Even if she did kill that bastard, I want her far away from those memories.

"I can't understand why you want to return to that world," I begin. "Is it really so much better than this one?"

Verena seems a little more relaxed with some wine in her. She is clearly in the mood to be honest and open, at least, because her next words confirm something I already suspected.

She shakes her head. "No, it's just…I kind of have a way of knowing things that will happen, in this world."

I wondered if that was the case, while she and Wulf were rescuing Ida and her granddaughter.

"I don't know if everything is set in stone," she adds quickly, studying our intertwined hands. "But with all the magic and the other storylines that seem accurate, I have good reason to think that the evil queen's story is going to end badly. Very badly. I don't want to die as that bitch."

"You won't," I insist at once. "Wulf and I will keep you safe."

There's a sadness in her gaze before she sighs, standing from the table.

"You have no idea how much I want to believe that, but I'm the only person I know I can rely on. Besides, you, me, Wulf—our little Terrific Trio is just temporary. If I don't get Cinderella's help, I'll⁠—"

"Cinderella?" I repeat, frowning as I also stand, moving to wrap my arms around her once more.

I intend to hold her as much as I can before this night is over.

Verena's arms circle around my neck as she seems to debate how much to say.

"You can share everything with me, Verena," I repeat.

"Fine. Tomorrow night at the masquerade, I'm going to track down a girl named Cinderella. I almost had her tonight, but that girl is fast. I'm really hoping her magical benefactor will be able to send me home."

My chest pinches. "Tell her to send me, too."

"What?"

"This Cinderella. If she does have a way to send you back to your world, ask her to send me there with you. Let me haunt the mirrors there."

Verena shakes her head. "Eris. That's not a full life. You need⁠—"

"I need you, Verena. If all I can have is your companionship through glass, I still choose that over an existence without you. Please—if you find that girl, don't leave me here without you."

Her expression is torn before she abruptly leans up to kiss me.

I kiss her back hungrily, aching for more of this woman even when I already have her in my arms.

We slowly make our way back to the bed, disrobing to tangle once more, the heat of her desire suffocating me—but I want it to never end. I adore every stroke of Verena's skin against mine, every gasped breath and moan. When she falls apart, so do I.

But I don't let her rest. How can I, when this could be my only night with her?

Over and over, we fuck and swear in pleasure and whisper sweetly to one another under the glow of the full moon. Every moment is perfection, but each second ticking by torments me.