Page 43 of #Resort Love
“Training went well, I take it?” I asked.
“It went more than well, my love,” Arianna breathed excitedly. “She didn’t even make it the full session before running off, so upset from all the injuries she caused.”
Her soft song-like laughter danced along my skin, her excitement burning through me. This is more like it. This isexactly what I was waiting for. “Is she ready to accept my bargain?” I asked quickly, my heart beating faster and faster.
“No, not yet,” Arianna murmured, slightly paling at the twitch in my smile. Arianna moved around the desk, kneeling in front of me, taking my hands into hers. “I have more planned for her. Once we visit Lowbrook, she will be yours for the taking. I promise you that, my king.”
Arianna rose quickly, her lips meeting mine in a passionate kiss as she straddled me, my hands snaking up her back. Arianna winced when my hand moved over the wound hidden by her leather jacket.
Recovering quickly, she pulled her head back, her glossy eyes meeting mine. “Go to her,” she breathed. “Go and offer her the bargain again but do not push it. Murmur sweet nothings in her ear and let her think about it.” Arianna paused, bringing her lips back to mine, moaning as she moved her hands slowly up and down my chest. Breaking the kiss, she rested her forehead against mine. “I will bring her down to her knees before you, begging and pleading for the bargain you offer by week's end.”
A laugh, low and deep, rumbled through my chest and I gripped the back of her neck, letting our lips crash together once again. My plan was finally coming together and all I could think about was Sybil on her knees, her beautiful tear-stained face, overcome by grief, begging me to take control of her magic. Need pulsed through me at the thought and my cock twitched.
Before letting that need consume me, I broke our kiss, our breath mixing. Arianna slid off my lap, letting me stand. Fixing my crumpled shirt, my heated gaze met Arianna’s. “I guess I should make my way to see our darling little Sybil.”
I stoodin front of Sybil’s door, inhaling slow and deep, feeling her terror and shame seeping from her room. If I could feel them from here, I could only imagine how heavy her emotions would be once I was inside. I rolled my neck, the thought of it almost making me moan. Exhaling, I calmed myself before I could get too excited. I was so close to reaching my goal; it would be a shame to give it all up by tossing myself in the waves of such powerful emotions.
Reaching for the door, I found it unlocked and slowly opened it, letting myself inside. Once the door clicked shut, I softly called out Sybil’s name and waited, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness of the room, but no answer came.
I followed the muffled cries echoing from her bedroom and stopped at the doorway of her room. Sybil lay curled in a ball on her side, so lost in her despair that she didn’t notice me as I watched her. The darkness hid my smile, and I breathed in the anguish that wafted off her, the feel of it sending a bolt of electricity through me.
Breathing out, I slipped into my role of worried friend, gasping Sybil’s name before rushing to her bed. “Sybil,” I breathed. “Sybil, look at me. Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
Sybil blinked, wiping the tears from her eyes. But then her eyes widened, recognition finally hitting as wild, frantic fear consumed her. Pushing onto her knees, she swallowed, gripping my shirt tight in her hands. “It was an accident. Please believe me, I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I didn’t mean to hurt Arianna. Please, Ambrose, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Shh,” I whispered, sliding into the bed beside her. I wrapped my arms around her, and she shook against me. “It’s okay, Sybil. I know you didn’t mean to do it. It’s okay, I promise. Aster said that Arianna should wake up by tomorrow and, after some rest, shewill make a full recovery.”
Sybil cried harder into my chest, the feel of her wet tears soaking through my shirt making my lips curl in disgust. Gently patting her back, I repeated that everything was okay until her cries lessened, and she was able to hold herself up on her own.
Once her sobs were nothing more than her sniffling, I brushed her hair away from her face. “May I turn on the light?” I asked softly, keeping my tone light and encouraging. “It’s easier to lose yourself in the darkness, but I find that the light always brings hope, even during our darkest moments.”
Nodding, Sybil whimpered as I stood, as if the loss of my warmth was too much to bear. Turning on a lamp beside her bed, a soft, warm glow illuminated the room. Sybil winced at the brightness. She kept her eyes on the blanket in front of her, shame and disgust apparent. She was still in her leathers, which, like Arianna’s, was covered in grime. Her tears made the dirt streak down in wet lines, and her hair looked wild—matted and unruly.
Inwardly, seeing her so downtrodden caused a thrill from deep within bubble up so fiercely that I had to remind myself why I was here. I needed her hopeless to convince her that onlyIcould be the one to help her control her power.
Pushing down that excitement, I forced myself to give her a soft and tender smile, brushing my knuckle along her damp cheek before heading into her washroom.
Grabbing a cloth, I soaked it under warm water and headed back to Sybil. She was still sitting in the same spot, messing with the edge of the blanket, lost within her thoughts. I sat in front of her, putting my hand on top of hers. She flinched but slowly raised her head, her eyes, so dull and weak, meeting mine. I gave her another soft smile and began to wipe the dirt from her face. Her eyes fell, and I could feelthe guilt and regret whirling inside of her, begging for me to latch onto.
So, I did.
I gripped her emotions tightly, feeding into them, making them grow stronger. Shame, grief, remorse, disgust, they all settled deep in her heart.
Sybil choked on a sob, and I pulled her into a tight hug, refusing to let go until she relaxed into my arms. “I know you might not want to hear this, my sweet girl,” I murmured, keeping my tone gentle. “But my offer still stands.” I pulled her back then, letting her see the sincerity I forced into my eyes. “You don’t have to decide right now, but just know that I am here to protect you in any way I can. You didn’t ask for this life or this beautiful and amazing power that flows through your veins. I care for you so much, my darling. I care for you so deeply that it pains me to see you this way. I just wanted you to know that it still stands, should you ever want it.”
Sybil loosened a shaky breath, her shoulders dipping. Even as she searched my gaze, hoping to find the answer to make her pain disappear, tears welled up in her eyes once again, and she opened her mouth to reply.
I held a finger to her soft pink lips, stopping her before she spoke. “I don’t want you to answer now,” I whispered. “I want you to take some time and think about it. Bargains are not something to take lightly, my love, and I don’t want you to do something you might regret later. I just want you to know that if you ever decide you want it, I will always,always, help you.”
Sybil sat, lost in thought, so lost that I half-wondered if she even heard me, but eventually she nodded while more tears fell.
“How about we get some rest?” I asked, gently wiping away her tears. “Would you like for me to stay here with you tonight?”
Sybil nodded, still unable to speak under the weight of her despair while I smoothed the hair away from her face. Cupping her cheeks with my hands, I let my mouth curl into a small, soothing smile. Leaning in, I pressed my lips to hers in a delicate kiss, lingering only until Sybil pulled away, gasping. Those wide hazel eyes looked greener after all her tears as they searched mine, and I felt a flicker of arousal inside her. It was such a small amount, but it was enough to send need pulsing through me.
I was so close to having her right where I wanted her. So close to having her agree to my bargain. Arianna’s words rang silently in my head, telling me to wait—to be patient, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t have some fun.
I gathered her into my arms and fed into her emotions. I felt for her sorrow—her shame—and I threw my magic into them, letting them take hold of her. I filled her heart with so much despair that she wept until exhaustion overtook her, pulling her into a deep and fitful sleep.
