Page 16 of Ruin
“I don’t.”
“Then let’s run away together,” he begged, tangling his fingers between mine. “Help me free the others and take the sword. As far as I am concerned, I will have fulfilled my promise to the crown, and you would have got revenge for what they did to you. Then we can flee.”
I couldn’t think straight. It felt like I’d been sucked into a whirlwind with no chance to breathe.
“Come with me,” he said pleadingly. “There are so many uninhabited islands we can live on. I know we haven’t known each other for long, but the moment I saw you, I knew you were the one for me. There is a light in you, and it lures me like a moth to a flame. You are my flame.”
Never had I seen someone bare their heart so openly. His stare burned with a desire that frightened me. I didn’t know love or even flirtation before him, and now I had it all. It made me vulnerable, for he was wrong. I was nothing but darkness. I was afraid what would happen if I went with him.
“Are you playing me? Manipulating my heart?” I whispered.
“You don’t trust me.”
“It’s hard for me to trust—”
He squeezed my hands. “Take a chance on us. Youcantrust me. I know all you’ve had is hurt, but not me. I would never.” A small smile tugged his lips. “I never thought I would find love either, yet here you are. We can find peace, together.” He seemed so happy. I couldn’t bear to say no, and truly everything in me wanted to take him up on his offer. I wanted deeply to believe him and trust him, but there were so many obstacles in the way.
“Love?”
His eyes rounded. “Love.”
My breaths quickened. “You are immortal,” I stated. “I am not. I will age, and yet time for you will pass slowly.”
His eyes widened. “Then let us take the ring from the king. You could live forever with me.”
“I don’t want to live forever.”
He squeezed my hands. “The sword means we can die when we are ready. Don’t you see, Evangeline?” His voice went up a whole octave. “It is as if destiny has laid out everything for us. It was meant to be. I grow surer by the minute.”
My master’s voice sounded in my mind, jolting me. Pain pinched in my head, screeching through my skull. “Do not throw away everything for fleeting desire. Tell him no.”
I closed my eyes, forcing him out with every ounce of strength I had. When I opened them again, tears had hazed my vision. “You have been so kind.”
His eyebrows drew together. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“But I can’t leave here.”
“It doesn’t make sense to me either, but this feels right.” He placed his hand on my chest, over where my heart was racing beneath. “Tell me you don’t feel what is between us.”
My thoughts flickered to the murdered girl, then the necromancer and my father. I had too much baggage. To find love and be happy was a fairytale I could not fall prey to. It didn’t happen to girls like me.
“I will help you free the others from the dungeon,” I said. “Then disarm my father.”
He smiled, dimpling his cheeks. “If that is all you will offer, then I agree, but…” He leaned in, placing his hands on my shoulders. He smelled like rain. It was so evocative. “I must do this.” He leaned in again and brushed his lips against mine. “I will not relent in my feelings for you. You are afraid because you have been hidden your whole life, but you deserve joy, and I know you care for me as I do you.”
“I do.”
“Then give us a chance. We don’t get the pleasure of courting first because of who we are, but I promise I will treat you well.”
“I believe you will,” I said slowly, fumbling my thumbs. I wanted to be happy, to enjoy the moment. I felt my heart weakening to him. “I have not allowed myself a second of joy in my life. Perhaps just a day.”
His expression softened. “Kiss me again.”
I squeaked when he grabbed me and pulled me into his arms. “I’m going to show you the world.”
My cheeks burned. “I have been so blessed to have you come into my life, now.” As the words left my lips, uneasiness settled in me. What if the necromancer hurt him because of me?
“Don’t think.” He grinned. “I know that face. I’ve seen it on others when trying to talk themselves out of something.”
