Page 87 of The Sins That Bleed
“You know, we need to tell Mum and Dad at some point. They’ve never stopped searching for you either, and they even set up a charity in your name for other families who need support and resources.” I’m heading toward the door as I speak, because I have no intention of staying here anymore.
My home is with Valeska.
“I thought you’d say that, but I’m scared. What if they’d have preferred for me to die? It’s not going to be easy for them to know I never can.” She speaks fast, panic bleeding into her tone.
“Hey, it’s okay.” I turn to her. “You don’t need to decide yet, and whatever you do end up doing, I will be here with you every step of the way. But for the record, they’d never wish you were dead.”
She looks at me and gives me a watery smile. “Thank you, Rai-Rai.” Her nickname for me heals a part of me in.
“I don’t know about you two, but I don’t actually want to be here anymore, I need to get ma reine back. Nico, we’ll pick pizza up on the way, if you’re coming.” I don’t wait for an answer as I swing the door open.
I’m already pressing the button for the elevator when they catch up to me.
“I thought you’d never ask, princess.” Nico winks at me and I laugh for the first time in over a week.
Tonight, I’m getting the woman I love back, even if I have to beg for her on my knees.
CHAPTER 40
Ghosts
VALESKA
Isit on the edge of my balcony overlooking the city I once called home, wondering where the man that became my home is right now.
The empty cavern that once connected our souls now only contains an echo of what we could have been. I’ve tried to forget him, stalking the streets to distract myself but killing no longer entertains me. Without him I am unable to enjoy any of the wonderous torture I once did.
I hate who I’ve become.
I look down, over the balcony edge to the earth below my dangling feet, my blood-red toes contrasting against the dark concrete, and I wonder what it would be like to jump off, watching the ground rushing up to meet me.
It might be the only thing left in this world that is happy to see me.
I turn and lay down on the edge, watching the night sky. The moonlight bathes me in her energy but it can’t take away the emptiness. I wish I could see the stars, they might be able to bring me a small comfort but in this city the light pollutes the sky too much.
So much poison, everywhere I look.
I close my eyes and think of him, the soft breeze fluttering my black nightgown in a caress that I imagine are his hands. I relive all the kisses and touches we shared, the way we could both give and take in order to satisfy each other after a hard day.
My nipples pebble in the cold air, the silk of my nightgown teasing them as my thighs go slick with my need. I don’t reach down and pleasure myself, choosing to punish myself for fucking everything up.
“You look unearthly like this, ma reine.”
I gasp, turning my head towards the sound of his voice, and when I open my eyes they land on Rai.
“Mon âme, is that really you?” I must be imagining this.
His hand reaches out, fingers tracing the contours of my face, down my neck and between my breasts. And then his hands are right there, palming my aching breasts and I moan. I can’t believe he’s really here.
“I don’t under?—”
“Shh, ma reine. Let me touch you and taste you, I’ve missed you so much. We’ll talk later, but right now both of us need this, I need to be close to you. Do you need that too?” he whispers, his thumb swiping my nipple through the fabric.
“Yes,” I whimper, and it’s all I can say.
It’s enough for him; he cups my face as he places a devasting kiss to my lips, our tongues tangling in a dance as if we’ve done it a million times before. He brands me with his lips and I’m desperate for him.
Like one soul split into two that’s finally reconnected, jagged edges and all.
