Page 111 of The Guardian's Curse

Shoshanna kissed the top of the cat’s head, snuggling him close as she spoke in soft, cooing tones. “I love you, little man,” she murmured. “I won’t leave you again, okay?” Eventually, she let him go and glanced up at Alistair. “I need you to help me in the library.”

“Surely you need to rest after all of this,” he said, already fearing the standoff to come.

She shook her head. “I need to break this curse before it’s too late,” she said. “I have to redo everything that you destroyed.”

He shook his head. “Shoshanna...I didn’t destroy it,” he said. “I would never destroy what you worked so hard on.”

Her brow furrowed. “But you told me...”

“I told you that to protect you,” he said. “To slow you down so you didn’t kill yourself.”

Her sad smile sent a spike of guilt through his heart. “You were very convincing.”

“I’m so sorry,” he said. He extended his hand. “Come with me.”

He guided her carefully down the stairs to the basement and into the sparsely furnished training gym. While she waited, he brought out her rolled-up drawings and supplies from the locked armory. He might have been pleased with the expression of relief on her face if he had not been the cause of her grief. “It’s all here,” he said, averting his gaze.

She sank to her knees, spreading out the drawings. Her eyes glistened. “I should have known you wouldn’t destroy it.”

He shook his head and joined her on the floor. “No, you shouldn’t have. I was awful to you about this. And I am truly sorry.”

“I forgive you,” she said. “I’m sorry for using the sunlight on you.”

“It was warranted,” he replied. “Are you sure you want to do this now?”

She drew a shaky breath. “No. But I’m afraid if I wait, I’ll end up like Lucia.”

“We asked her about her symptoms,” he said. “She didn’t remember losing her sight until the very end. Does that change anything?”

Shoshanna shook her head. “I can’t take the chance,” she said. “Every day I wait is a risk.”

A lump rose in his throat. “I won’t stop you if you believe it’s the right thing. But don’t hurt yourself for me.” He shook his head. “I can live with my appearance if it means you’re still here. Promise me that you’ll put yourself first.”

Her clouded eyes gleamed. “I promise. Me first. Then you. And I will break yours, along with the others eventually.”

“I know you will,” he said, cupping her cheek. He froze as her warm hand brushed his cheek, tracing the ridged lines. He wanted to hide, but he held steady, leaning into her touch.

“You’re not hiding from me,” she said, smiling.

“Never again. If you see something you like, then who am I to question it?” he replied.

She smirked, that wonderful mischievous gleam in her eyes. “It’s about time.”

He leaned in for a kiss. Her lips parted for him, and she made her way into his lap, letting him embrace her as they kissed, long and sweet. He could taste the blood of the other vampire on her, but he resolved to let his passion for her burn it all away.

She broke away, tracing his brow. “I love you, Alistair,” she said. “More than I ever knew I was capable of.”

“And I love you,” he replied. “I will spend my eternity proving that I am worthy of what destiny has given me.”

Her brow lifted. “You’re a poet.”

“Do you like it?”

“I do,” she said with a chuckle. She kissed his brow. “I might need your help with this.”

Following her guidance, he helped her draw the intricate lines and spirals of the spell on the wood floor. As he had before, he measured out ingredients for her, placing each pile of herbs or crystals where she directed. He could hear her pulse accelerating as they completed the process.

They were nearing dawn when she took a deep breath. “I think it’s done.”

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