Page 70 of The Stone Curse
“Tell me, Cameron. If there was no fate bond. If there were no pheromones or needing, would you want me? Could there ever have been a chance for us in a world like that?”
The answer should be no. No was the right answer, the safe answer, but the knots in my stomach and the hummingbird in my heart wouldn’t allow me to lie.
“Yes.” The word was an explosion, a release of a truth that I’d been denying for some time. “If there was no fated bond, if my heart didn’t already belong to Serath, if we were free of it all, then yes, I think I could have loved you. But Curi…the fact is that Serath does exist, and he…He has my heart. He will always be my first choice, even if I can’t be with him. And you…You deserve to be someone’s first choice too.”
His exhale mingled with mine as he dropped his forehead to my temple. “Thank you. Thank you, Cameron.”
I blinked back tears and fisted my hands against the urge to hold him. “I’m sorry…”
“Don’t be. This…this helps.” He pressed a rough kiss to my head and released me, backing up. “We’d best catch up to theothers.” He smiled, but it barely reached his eyes. “Wouldn’t want them getting the wrong idea.”
I took a shuddering breath to free myself of his intoxicating scent then followed him back onto the path and toward the main building, my stomach still in knots because what we’d failed to touch upon was my fae nature and my needing. It was in control now that I had a tincture, but what would happen when it stopped working? What would happen if I didn’t find a permanent solution to my need for sex?
“Now she may be a little confused,”Flora said as she led us to the crystal room. “So give her some time to gather her thoughts.”
I fingered the vial in my pocket, the one that Willowman had gotten for me all those weeks ago to help Melanie with her memories of the past. Once I administered it, Melanie would not only be able to tell us what happened that night in the filing room, but she’d also have the memories from her life back.
Yarrow joined us, coming from the direction of the kitchen. He was still in his PJs, gown thrown over the top and mug of coffee in his hand.
“We don’t want to overwhelm her,” he said. “Best if only Cam goes in.”
“No,” Derek and Curi said together.
Yarrow’s brows shot up. “I appreciate your desire to protect, but if you want information, then you need to tread carefully.”
He was right. I didn’t want to spook Melanie, which was ironic considering she was a ghost. “I’ll be fine alone.”
“After what happened the last time?” Curi looked skeptical.
“She was going ghoul, but she’s fine now. Just…skittish. She won’t hurt me.”
“No, she won’t,” Derek said. “Because I’m coming with you, my Cameron. I am your shield, a part of you, and I lived in the same room as Melanie for several days.”
“He has a point,” Sharniza said. “I think we’d all feel better if you took him with you.”
“Okay.” I smiled up at Derek. “Let’s do this, buddy.”
Flora produced a key and unlocked the door. “Good luck.” She looked nervous, understandable because the answers I came out with would affect her too.
We were about to find out who’d messed with both their heads.
CHAPTER 30
Melanie stood with her back to us, facing the wall. Her spectral form had more substance than I’d ever seen it have, which was encouraging, even if she was staring at wallpaper.
“Melanie?” I took a couple more steps into the room. “Melanie, it’s me, Cameron.”
She turned slowly to face me. “There are butterflies hidden in the walls?”
I glanced at the wallpaper that covered one side of the room—a floral pattern which, on close inspection, might truly have butterflies hidden in it.
“How are you feeling?” Derek asked her. “Do you remember Cameron?”
Melanie’s mouth parted in a warm smile. “Of course I do. We’re roommates, except…” She frowned. “This room is different.” Her eyes rounded. “Did we move? Can I stay?”
She was here, but she was confused. I needed to get her back on track. “Melanie, what’s the last thing you remember?”
Her frown returned, and she dropped her chin, chewing on her cheeks in thought. “Oh…I was in the filing room.” She looked up, eyes bright with the memory. “I found your brother’s folderand then…then…” She winced. “I was here…What happened?” She wrung her hands. “Cameron, what’s happened to me?”
