Page 22 of A Crown So Cursed
“Clever. But no. Those tapestries are more like portals than windows. They remain as they were, displaying only what they were woven to portray—a moment frozen in time, regardless of what transpires within.” He kissed her neck. “These are all Arachne’s creations.”
“Arachne?” One fang grazed gently at her flesh.
“Oh, yes…the Orb Weaver’s Cloak is the least of her mastery.”
Absentmindedly, Gwendolyn’s fingers lifted to the fabric of her cloak, the memory of Arachne and her grotto flashing vividly through her mind as Málik’s voice took on a seductive quality. “You see, her skills were essential in creating the Veil that separates our worlds.”
“The Féth Fíada?” Gwendolyn guessed, though she could hardly focus—Málik’s lips grazed the hollow of her throat, his words melting into her flesh as she leaned back, surrendering to his embrace.
“Yes,” he breathed, the word barely more than a whisper, hot against her skin. “If you can imagine… that Veil…” Another kiss, softer this time, just below her ear. “…simply a tear in the fabric of the world…” His breath stirred the fine hairs at her nape, and Gwendolyn shivered, unable to help herself. Oh, but this was a history lesson she could thoroughly enjoy—far preferable to any she’d endured at the hands of the mesters. She tried to concentrate, to follow the thread of his explanation, but his touch was unrelenting, and her mind swam with sensation. “A tear… in the world?” she managed, her voice unsteady.
Málik’s lips curled into a smile against her skin. “Precisely.” His hand traced her arm, slowly and deliberately, giving pleasure with his fingertips alone.
Gwendolyn’s thoughts scattered, unable to muster a single clever retort. She could only tilt her head, granting him better access, her breath coming sharper with every word, every kiss.
And if this was the manner in which he meant to instruct her, she would gladly forget every lesson but his. “As for Arachne,” he went on, “it wasn’t until many moons into Aengus’ reign that she was banished to her lair.” He paused, letting the words settle, then added, “For her part in your vanishing.”
“And how did you feel about my... vanishing?”
“I know you did it to protect those you love,” he said softly. “But knowing that hardly eases the pain of what was lost—especially since I believedIwas your one-true love.”
Gwendolyn’s heart constricted at the raw vulnerability in his voice. Without hesitation, she turned and lifted a hand to his cheek, tracing the sharp angle of his jaw. “You are,” she whispered.
She was here, was she not? She’d given up so much—everything, to be sure. There was no going back, not now, not ever.
He took a step closer, his voice raw, as though he’d swallowed broken glass. “I searched for you across realms, through time itself.” There was no mistaking the pain in his words. “Every beat of my heart in your absence felt as though it would hasten my end.” He reached up then, brushing his thumb across the plane of her cheek, and said, “Promise me you’ll stay.”
Spoken so, it was no command, only a plea, and Gwendolyn’s heart squeezed at the sound of it, though she tried not to let it show.
Of course, she would stay—of course she would. Why would he believe otherwise? He needn’t even jest about keeping her imprisoned, nor fear she would ever leave him when she had so willingly abandoned everything only to see him again.
Responding to his need—hers as well—Gwendolyn reached for him, daring to embrace him, wrapping her arms about his waist and holding him close. “I am sorry,” she murmured. “I only wish…”
He doubled his arms about her, resting his chin atop her head. “I know what you wish,” he said as he kissed her. “I wish it too…but your memories will return in time.”
Just so, they stood so long as Gwendolyn once again inhaled his magnificent male scent.
This too gave her a sense of belonging she couldn’t explain.
It gave her a sense of…home.
“I’ve missed you,” she said huskily, and his arms tightened about her possessively, his lips moving to her neck. A gentle scrape of his fangs sent a delicious shiver down Gwendolyn’s spine, and a soft, involuntary moan escaped her as she melted into his arms, her fingers curling, clutching at the fabric of his tunic.
He kissed her, and she returned his kiss with equal fervor, feeling his heartbeat even through the weight of his tunic—a steady rhythm that echoed her own quickening pulse.
For the moment, the world about them faded, leaving only the two of them entwined in this magical forest. Her fingers sought and found his beautiful hair, taking pleasure in its silken texture.
“I have long dreamt of this reunion,” he murmured, his voice husky with desire. “Alas…now is not the time. More than anything,” he said. “I would love to have you to myself…but there is something I wish to show you. Come,” he demanded. “Before I lay you down and ravage you like a mindless beast.”
Once more, his hand found hers, his fingers tangling with hers as he pulled her through the greenwood. Until suddenly…the trees vanished, revealing a clearing bathed in light as silvery as his hair.
At the center stood a turreted construction, and the sight of it stole Gwendolyn’s breath. She gasped aloud, and made to halt, but Málik tightened his grip upon her hand, dragging her along, leading herintothe building, where all the trees were replaced by towering shelves stretching impossibly high…They were filled with books, and once again, Gwendolyn gasped with delight. In all her life, she had never seen so many tomes—and none like these. Not rolled. They were flat and bound.
Málik pressed lightly on the small of her back, urging her forward.
“This is the Máistirs’ library,” he explained. “Where the Knowledge of Ages resides. Every breath every creature ever took has been recorded within these tomes. Indeed, the life of every blade of grass, the death of every star. Here, you will find answers to your questions…if only you know the right question to ask.”
Gwendolyn’s fingers longed to reach out and toucheverymanuscript! To feel the weight of so many centuries right there in her hands. “Everything?” she whispered, her voice soft with wonder.
