Page 141 of Cursed Lifeline

“Maybe not now,” he argues, pulling me flush against his chest. Emotion swims in the depth of his hopeful gaze, his voice fills with the same as he optimistically grins, “But my future was shown to me the first time I looked in your eyes,Petite étoile.”

Speechless, I stare down at him and attempt to hide the fact that, against my will - I feel the same.

My hands shake as he pulls me closer.“But Viktor…” I warn in a whisper.

“A blood oath can’t stop destiny.”

“Destiny?” I smile, sinking into his arms, and letting myself enjoy the comfort he always effortlessly brings me. If only for a moment before I pull away and keep him at arm's length like I need to.

Yearning hangs in his eyes as he whispers, “C'est écrit dans les étoiles.”

It is written in the stars.

Blushing, I ask, “Did you write it there yourself?”

Alfred pulls me closer, smiles, and whispers, “Not yet, though that is averyappealing idea.”

“I’m surprised,” I grin, falling more and more for him when I promised myself I wouldn’t. “Powers like yours should not go to waste.”

“My powers will never be used to control you, Evangeline,” Alfred promises, and I stop breathing. “If you ever give yourself to me, I want to know it was because you love me just as much as I love you.”

Boot steps sound down the hallway and quickly approach the room.

“And if I never love you,” I lie, knowing half of my heart is already his.

Confessing more truth than anyone I’ve ever known, Alfred sternly stares into my eyes and says, “Then I’ll die a happy man regardless, because I was lucky enough in life to find and love you, even if you never feel the same way in return.”

I’m still staring into Alfred’s eyes in disbelief when Felix and Viktor stride through the door a moment later. Viktor releases a deep, protective, brotherly growl when he notices Alfred’s hands on me, but I can’t force myself to look or back away from the man who has shown me more tender love than I ever thought possible. More than that, he’s shown me more love than I ever thought I deserved.

Rounding the back of Alfred’s chair, the duo comes into view, and though I would normally expect Alfred to back down, a part of me is not surprised when his grip on my waist tightens.

Viktor eyes me curiously, imploring with a deep friendly stare if I am okay. Or if I am getting in too deep and need him to butt in. Shaking my head, I look back into Alfred’s eyes and smile. Viktor stands down for the moment but keeps his eyes on Alfred in case he feels I need him to protect me. Not from Alfred. But from myself.

“Since when do you twobrothersgo anywhere together,” Alfred hisses as I reluctantly take a step back and he drops his hands.

“Since mybrotherbrought up a good point the other night.”

Alfred chuckles lightly, “Point? You sure it wasn’t a stake he had aimed at your back?”

“In another life, perhaps,” Felix sighs. “Like he so kindlypointedout, misery loves company, but I think we’ve finally agreed to put away our dueling swords and work together if we’re ever going to defeat the enemy.”

“And what brought about this change of heart,” Alfred laughs sarcastically.

As the trio talk, I decide to busy myself with cleaning up medical supplies. Viktor reaches out for me as I pass, but I brush off his advances and eye Alfred over my shoulder, who takes notice and sits up a little straighter in his chair. Gaze sharpened on Viktor, he crosses his arms over his chest as a jealous rage simmers in his eyes.

“Well, for starters, if we all work together, we’ll inevitably be stronger and gain what we really want.”

Standing tall, Viktor straightens his spine and says, “Like my intention to swear an oath to Evangeline.”

“What if she doesn’t want your oath?” Alfred snaps.

Viktor steps toward Alfred angrily, who rises from his seat, ready toaccept the challenge, but Felix quickly forces himself between them.

Viktor doesn’t want to swear an oath to claim me. Not like Alfred thinks. He wants to swear an oath to protect me from anyone who could harm me, like Oberon. But just because he likes getting under the watcher’s skin, I know he’ll keep up the front to make sure Alfred’s intentions are valid, real, and unwavering. Kind of like a protective older brother.

“Regardless,” Felix warns the two brooding men, who take a small step back from one another but keep their fierce gazes locked in a threatening duel. “For Viktor to move on in life, at all, despite whoever it is with, he will need to cut ties with Ember. After which, Esme will be safe because he will no longer be under command to hunt her.”

“We will never be free unless we rid the world of the wicked witch,” Viktor grins sinisterly.

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