Page 137 of Brambles and Bellflowers
He didn’t respond, but I could feel his slight trembling. My breath caught, and my heart raced.
“You’reperfect,” I said. I leaned back and cupped his face. I refused to allow myself to think about what happened next or about my nervousness.
There was only this moment.
I pulled his face down toward mine, and our lips met.
He was gentle as he leaned forward and wrapped his large arms over my shoulders. He smelled of freshly turned dirt and honeysuckles, and his sweet taste was mildly addicting. Yet even so, the kiss was over too soon, and I pulled back.
“Bianca…” His lips brushed against my cheek while I touched my fingertips to his chest. Our foreheads touched, and his gaze flickered to my mouth.
I half-expected him to apologize, but instead, he touched my face and traced his finger along the edge of my bottom lip. “I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life for that,” he admitted.
Miles didn’t say the words—I knew his feelings from his expression alone. The slight parting of his lips, his slightly furrowed brow, and the almost imperceptible tremble in histouch conveyed a vulnerability and a depth that he had seldom shown.
He was in love with me.
But I wasn’t ready to return those feelings.
“I’m not expecting anything from you,” Miles said, somehow interpreting my thoughts. “Just… let me stay, and I will always choose you above everything else.”
“Miles—” I didn’t know what love was, but there was one way to show him I cared—something Julian already taught me was important to the boys. “Bond with me.”
He tensed, breath catching in the air between us, as his body grew tense and his eyes widened. “What?”
“The Soul Bond thing,” I told him. “Titus said we all need to do it. You’re next, right?”
Miles frowned, expression torn. “Yes…”
I moved to my knees, facing him. “You said you needed to be ready. You took the potion and didn’t die. Isn’t this what you’ve been waiting for?”
“Um,” he looked away. “One of the things. I mean, no one wants to pressure you—”
“You’re not pressuring me!” I pressed my hands into my lap as my cheeks grew hot. His chivalrous concern, though touching, was unnecessary. “Will it help?” I asked him.
Would he leave me again if we didn’t do this?
He watched me from the corner of his eyes, pressing his lips together into a thin line. I waited, holding my breath. I couldn’t be much to look at, however. My face was dirty, and my hair was pulled back in a tangled mess of a braid, and even though my dress was clean, it was still baggy. I was thankful for the warmth of the fleeced-lined leggings, my fuzzy boots, and the dark-brown scarf that kept my neck and shoulders from the chill.
I tilted my head as he remained silent, and it was impossible to determine his thoughts.
“Yes,” he said finally. As he spoke, his features turned more determined. “It will help you.”
Me? But—
“What about you?” I asked. I didn’t care about me—I wanted to be helpful to him.
“It will help me do what I need,” he replied. “But only if you’re sure. Do you want me to create a Soul Bond with you? This is your request?”
What an unusual way to phrase it, but still. “Yes,” I nodded.
“Okay,” he said, furrowing his brows. “Then I’ll do it.”
It was the strangest thing, but I couldn’t quite place his reaction. From what I could tell, he wasn’t against the bond, but he was hesitant for another reason. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “It’ll be similar to Julian and me, right? I’ll be able to feel your emotions?”
Was he scared?
“Yes, but no,” Miles answered. “You’re able to feel everyone’s emotions on some level, but—when we do it—there are different benefits reaped from each Soul Bond. You’re not the main one affected with new abilities.”
