Page 101 of A Curse On Black Lake
“Will answers come? Because that’s what we need,” I mumble.
What is to come is shrouded. We have not been given the answers.
“Even if you were, I’m not so sure you’d give them to me.”
Now you’re being a brat.
“Takes one to know one,” I mutter.
“Are you arguing with them?” Killian asks.
I look down at my plate, and it’s empty. I didn’t realize I was eating, so lost in my mind.
“Eliana?”
My name on his lips slides over my skin like the velvet of a rose petal.
“They probably think so,” I mutter.
“You do that a lot,” he says.
“Argue with them? Yes. They can be … annoying,” I tell him.
“Sorry,” I tell them.
It takes one to know one.
“Wow, that was rude,” I mutter.
Killian’s brows knit together in confusion.
“Sorry, I don’t mean to annoy you. I’m used to talking to them out loud. Grams didn’t mind, and it’s how I can help keep myself from going crazy.”
The corner of his mouth tips up, and for the first time I notice a little scar next to his lip. He must have trimmed his beard. “You’re not annoying me. I hope it doesn’t bother you that I ask about them.”
My eyes drop from his lips. “It doesn’t, but I have to admit, I’m surprised you want to know.”
“I want to know everything about you,” he says and stands from his chair and grabs my plate.
“I’ll do the dishes,” he mumbles.
I take that as my cue to give him some space, and get a shower.
Standing under the hot spray, I watch the dirt of the day swirl down the drain and the tears flow. I hate myself for feeling so much for him when every fiber of my being should be mourning my grandmother. Every ounce of energy should be going to the apothecary, but there were other plans for me, for Killian. He didn’t choose to find a dead woman on his property. I didn’t choose to have someone stalking me.
But the thing that keeps bothering me is the curse. It may have absolutely nothing to do with what’s going on. But it’s a part of my family history I was never told. It makes me wonder if Grams knew about it. My ancestors’ journals were old and untouched for a while based on the dust collecting on them. She might have read Lily’s recipe book, but ignored the Monitio Flos de Letum. If I know Grams, it was because there was no benefit to it, and she would have seen no use in wasting time on a plant that cannot be used to heal.
Chapter thirty-five
Killian
Todayhasbeenintense,to say the least. But I’m glad it happened. This woman has me by the balls, and she has no idea.
My mind keeps playing every sound, every touch over and over. She wants this too, but why is she keeping herself from it? I understand she’s nervous, and it makes sense to be careful with her heart — she should be.
But my hope is that she believes me when I say I will wait for her. I’ll be careful with her heart, protect it with mine. I can’t explain why I’d do that for a woman I barely know, but I will, without hesitation. Everything in me tells me she’s worth waiting for, however long that means.
After getting cleaned up, I make my way down the stairs to find Eliana sitting on the couch sketching away. She glances up at me, and her tan cheeks turn red. I smile to myself and head to the fridge for a beer. I’ve barely been drinking since she’s been here, at least not like I used to. I’m no alcoholic, but I used to drink a lot more than I should. At the moment, I have no interest in getting drunk because I want to be fully present with Eliana. Which is refreshing for me.
