Page 26 of Love & Heart Braking

My ears buzzed.

The bell chimed, and Rolli quickly released me, retreating with his purple magic into the printer room again.

Rolli’s magic had reacted to me and Devereaux. But… we were already on the path to love. My brows drew together. For his magic to be flaring, either Devereaux or I had to be closed to the idea of love.

I looked at Devereaux standing in the doorway and woodenly walked to him and into the waiting carriage.

“Is he okay?” He settled in opposite me.

Rolli would be fine. I’d meant every word in there. I’d make sure no whisper of what he was ever left my lips.

I lifted my gaze. One of us was closed to the path of love.

One of us was holding back.

Devereaux frowned. “Are you all right? Is something wrong?”

Descendants of Venus’s line couldn’t feel their own matches because it robbed us of the journey. I didn’t doubt that Devereaux was my true love.

He was the other person in this world meant for me.

And that changed absolutely everything.

I took a breath, and it felt like my first. I’d been the one holding back. But suddenly everything was so very clear. He was my person, and I was his.

“No-gossip charm, please,” I whispered.

He didn’t waste time asking questions before obeying. I drew down the blinds.

Then sat at a complete loss of how to say what I had to say.

A growl filled the carriage. “Your heartbeat is all over the place.”

“I’m okay.” I hurried to assure his predator.

Switching to sit beside him, I grabbed his hand and rested it against my chest. Devereaux’s gaze flew to mine.

“Rub my tattoo,” I said hoarsely.

Expression serious, Devereaux did as bade. His finger came away black.

Taking a steadying inhale, I croaked, “Keep rubbing.”

He did so, and I knew the moment he’d connected the dots.

Devereaux froze. His face carved from stone, he inspected his fingers, then raised his clean hand to touch my mark. “You cover it.”

He straightened, shock painted on his handsome features. “You… What does that mean? You’re more powerful?”

“My entire life I thought I was just a strong cupid,” I said quickly. Quicker seemed easier somehow. “I—”

I held up my pointer finger and let my magic flow. Unlike with Rolli just before, when the arrowed hearts poured out of my finger this time, they bolted for Devereaux. The magic settled on his skin, sinking in.

He shuddered, moaning low. “So warm. That feels incredible.”

“They’ve never done that,” I confessed. My magic recognized he was mine.

Devereaux took my hand, inspecting my glowing finger. “You have magic.” Wonder filled his eyes as he focused on me. “All this time.”

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