Page 59 of The Stone Curse
Finally, she raises her head and looks up at me through misty eyes, her wobbly mouth turned down in shame. The crimson is gone from her irises, which are now clear and bright, and her cheeks are flushed like she’s been for a run.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I didn’t want to have to do that. I’m so fucking sorry, Curi.” Tears track down the side of her face, and I brush them away with the same fingers that were inside her a moment ago. I can smell her on me—honeyed and tempting. I breathe through my mouth, past the need that presses against the base of my spine.
She has no idea the lengths that I would go for her. “Don’t you dare be sorry.” I gently pull the sheet up over her body—she’s shivering now that the episode has passed. “We’ll find a way to fix this, and if we can’t do that, then we’ll find a way to manage it. You don’t ever have to be sorry with me. Do you understand?”
She nods, dislodging more tears, then presses her cheek to my chest. I should leave now, but instead I hold her tighter. Just hold her.
Fuck, I could just hold her forever, and that…that could be a problem.
CHAPTER 25
CAM
Curi was gone when I woke up. I was glad for that because I needed time to compose myself before seeing him again. The fever was gone too, but only because he’d given me what I needed last night. He’d given me what I needed, knowing that I could never give him what he needed in return.
My heart.
Guilt was a live thing burrowing inside my chest because I’d used him. I’d used him to relieve my need knowing how he felt. Knowing that he’d been falling for me.
As far as he was aware, Serath was gone, there was no barrier for him to lean on, to stop his feelings from resurfacing, but I’d forced him to test that barrier last night. I’d pushed him, begged him, pleaded for him to capitulate.
Shame burned a path up my neck and settled in my cheeks. I covered my face and squeezed my eyes shut at the memory of his hand on me. Of the pleasure that had rocked my body.
I’d let him touch me. Begged him to help me find release, and Serath…I’d betrayed him. I’d allowed another male’s hands on me and…and I’d liked it. I felt…revitalized. Energized.
No. That person hadn’t been me. It was the fever. This inexplicable thing linked to the fae blood in my veins or…or maybe not. If Serath was alive, then the mate bond was still alive and…No, Willowman had explained that distance would mute the bond, which was why Serath had planned to leave.
Urgh, I was going round in circles.
Focus, Cam.
I needed to tell the others that Serath was alive, but first thing’s first, I needed to speak to Curi and apologize. I needed to tell him about Serath and fix us because I needed him in my life, I needed our friendship.
Curi wasn’tin his room, and his bed looked unslept in because…because he’d slept with me.
I’d slept with Curi.
Together.
My stomach churned.
He was probably at breakfast already. I hurried down to the third floor and into a room filled with the sound of voices, the clink of metal on ceramic, and the smell of bacon. Derek stood at the cooker, apron tied around his waist as he expertly flipped pancakes, and Shar leaned against the island watching him with a look that was a cross between pride and lovesick.
She caught my eye and quickly composed her features into something that was more light interest than anything else.
I arched a brow, and she rolled her eyes with a smile.
Yeah, she was so gone for him.
“Cameron, just in time!” Touron passed me a plate loaded with bacon, eggs, and toast. “Unless you want pancakes. I mean, you can have pancakes too.” He headed to the table with a second plate piled higher than mine for himself and parked his ass opposite the twins, who were already stuffing their faces.
“You should eat,” Levi said as he slipped past me, holding the coffee pot. “We have physical and mental training today.”
“Where’s Curi?”
“Here.” He came up behind me, and my body tensed. I forced myself to relax and look at him as he came abreast of me.
His easy smile didn’t reach his eyes, and my heart hurt. “You okay?” I kept my voice low.
