Page 98 of Cursed Lifeline

“Then it’s a good thing you made me immortal because I have an infinite number of years to wait until you’re ready to share your dark secrets with me, too.”

Smiling, she shoots me an adorable, sideways smirk. Grinning, I find hope in the fact that I’m slowly breaking down her walls.

“You still haven’t answered my question.” Pointing up at the night sky, she says, “Which one is your favorite?”

Reluctantly, I pull my gaze from hers and ask, “Do you see Cassiopeia?” She shakes her head no as her hand falls back to her side. Raising mine, I point at the W of the seated queen and explain, “The methodical queen from Greek mythology, the wife of King Cepheus and the mother of Andromeda. She was very vain and is depicted sitting on her throne. But she’s not my favorite.”

Evangeline shoots me an inquisitive stare.

“Pay attention,” I tease, then grab her wrist and raise both our hands to trace the next constellation. “Andromeda was named after a Greek princess.” My fingers interlace with hers as the last word leaves my lips. The princess at my side trembles under my touch, and I grin. “The daughter of Cassiopeia, she was chained to a rock as a sacrifice to the sea monster, Cetus, but was saved by Perseus, who instantly fell in love the second he spotted her while flying high in the sky on Pegasus after defeating Medusa.”

Our hands drop slowly from the sky. As my words set in, our eyes meet, and the blanket of ruby, sparkling light above causes an erotic chill to pass between us.

“What happened to them?” she asks.

“He made a deal with her parents, Cassiopeia and Cepheus. He’d free them of the horrible monster Cetus if he could have their daughter's hand in marriage.”

Evangeline’s chest begins to rise and fall with the same nervous energy as before. But for the first time tonight, I’m not anxious. I’m not worried. Staring into her eyes, I finally figure out what it is about her that captivates me so much.

She’s the only thing that’s ever brought peace to my wandering soul.

Instantly, I understand what Perseus felt the moment he laid eyes on Andromeda.

“Did they live happily ever after?” she asks.

Grinning, I say, “Is that what you want, princess? Your own happily ever after?”

Looking away quickly, she refuses to answer. I wait her out, but I know she won’t give me a response. At least not the one I crave. Because, in the time we’ve spent together, I’ve learned Evangeline is bright, beautiful,andstubborn.

Gazing back up at the stars, I say, “They were happily married for a very long time. Some accounts say they had seven or more children and lived out their days very much in love.”

Evangeline releases a happy sigh and smiles. “Your favorite is now my favorite, too, Alfred.” Her gaze meets mine and she whispers, “Thank you for sharing this with me.”

I nod, unable to speak because - it’s still not my favorite.

But if she wants to hold onto it as hers until I get the courage to tell her the truth, that’s okay with me.

She looks back up at the sky and I do the same.

My gaze drifts to a bright star sitting between the happy couple.

A new star.

One that was just birthed from my hand tonight.

A star that, from this moment on, will always be my favorite. A star I’ll forever look up at and think of her.

Because that star, that symbol of hope - I named it Evangeline.

And if, for some reason, luck is not on our side this time, and she’s pulled away from me again, I’ll use it as a guiding force to find my way home, back to her, where I’ll do just as I promised. I’ll wait until she’s ready to let me be her shelter, her refuge, the last man she’ll ever love. A man who vowed to spend eternity making her happy the moment he set eyes on her, just like Perseus and Andromeda.

Thirty Four

Talon

Song: Touch Myself | Genitorturers

Salem, Massachusetts

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