Page 152 of Her Dark Promise

But, still being me, I was a tad bit envious. Though happiness trumped any other feeling that tried to creep its way inside. Another bright light shutting the darkness that did its best to claw into my heart. I wouldn’t let it, not anymore.

I pushed off the wall and turned to find Soren staring at me. I wondered how much he heard from their not-so-private conversation. I lifted my head high, blushing from being caughtspying, and approached him. I was about to say something to him, but he put a finger to his lips and extended his arm.

I sighed and linked my arm with his as he led me away from them and toward the library.

We were silent as we padded through the hallways until we reached the library doors and he said, “I am happy for my brother.”

“You knew.” It wasn’t a question, more of a statement. I saw no surprise in his eyes when Bastian told him, rather relief.

He nodded, still staring straight ahead as he walked us over to the table with the books. “I have known ever since we were kids. I would catch him staring at some of the boys we grew up with in a way that I would look at some of the girls. I knew it was different, but I never said anything. It wasn’t my place.”

It was silent for a couple more minutes before he asked, “Does it bother you?”

“About?” Trying to avoid the question.

“Don’t be coy. About what they said to each other.”

“Callum tells me practically every day that he loves me.” I shrugged and looked away. “To be honest, I am happy that they have each other.”

“Why do you say it like that?” I sadly looked back up at him. He missed nothing. “You don’t expect the curse to be broken, do you?”

I sighed. “I have lived for centuries. I have scoured the library and every nook and cranny of these lands, not just the castle. I have looked for any weakness within the barrier and nothing. It is not that I have given up…completely… I just don’t understand how you think you can find something when I haven’t been able to.”

“I have dedicated my entire life to understanding your history,yourtruth. I will.”

“And if you can’t?”

His shoulders slumped and he gave me a small, crooked smile. “Then we will live here forever. I don’t think there is one person in this castle who would willingly part from you. Not in this life or the next.”

I pushed away from him, crossed my arms, and walked toward the window. “Don’t jest, Soren. I don’t particularly find this form of humor amusing.”

I didn’t like that he was promising to stay with me forever when there was a better life for all of them outside of these walls, apart from me. The thought of never seeing them again always sent me into a state of paralyzing stupor.

I tightened the hold on my arms as I felt him approach. He stood so close that I could feel the grooves of his muscles against my back. The heat radiating from his body was so intense, it could keep me warm all winter, but right now, it was too much. We stood there wordlessly, our heavy breathing breaking the oppressive silence that settled between us.

He brought his hand up to skim my bare arm as he dipped his head to graze his nose behind my ear.

What was he doing? I could feel my body wanting to lean into his, but didn’t want to ruin what we had created over the last few weeks. How easy being with him was. I didn’t want to ruin it like I ruined everything else.

He doesn’t want you, I thought. Take a deep breath.He doesn’t want you. He just wants your mind, your history. He’s obsessed with that, not you.I kept reminding myself of that fact and willed my heart to slow.

As if he could read my thoughts, he said in a low, gravelly voice, “You were wrong earlier. You told Callum I just wanted you for your mind…and that isn’t true.”

I stiffened.

“Continue using me. For whatever you may need.Useme.” He rested his forehead on the back of my head, inhaling deeply.“I don’t care that you are fucking Bast and Callum. I don’t care that I have to put a pillow over my head to try and drown out your moans of pleasure because one day, I know you will give in and also choose me. I don’t know what’s stopping you now from taking what you want from me.”

“I would destroy you, Soren,” I breathed.

“Then destroy me.”

My chest heaved when I thought…fuck it.

I spun around, wrapped my arms around his neck as he gripped my hips and crushed me to him. I stood on my toes as I brought my face up to his and kissed him lightly, savoring his soft lips on mine. He moved his hands up my sides, skimming the sides of my breasts and up until he was cupping my face and deepened the kiss.

Last time, he ensured I felt all the pleasure, but this time…it was his turn.

I dropped to my knees in front of him as his eyes widened, surprised, as I unstrapped his trousers.

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