Page 100 of To Crave Deeply
Messed things up? More like poured oil on it and watched it burn to a fucking crisp.
I didn’t hold back the sigh that escaped my lips. I looked into his eyes and saw so much guilt and sorrow swimming in their depths that my heart clenched. He was suffering just as much as I was, and together, we were suffering alone.
“You hurt me. A lot. You made a fool out of me, and I deserved better than that.”
His hand wrapped around mine and I couldn’t find it in myself to pull away. I’d missed his touch.
“I know. God, I know. You deserve so much more than me, so much more than I can give you and I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. I was an idiot. I just wanted to pretend for a moment that you loved me for who I was, not because of my rank or fortune or any of that other shit. It was selfish of me, and it only led to me losing you as a friend and hurting you more than I could bear.”
“Oh, Fenris.” I couldn’t hold back the tears that filled my eyes. I was such a mess at the minute, emotionally all over the place, and now was not the time to be having this conversation. I took a deep breath and pulled myself together as best I could.
“After this is over, let’s sit down and talk properly. Just you and me. And let’s see if we can’t move forwards.”
A small smile lifted the corner of his mouth and I tried hard not to melt. I failed. Miserably. That smile had my insides turning to goo.
“I’d like that.”
I was about to respond, but Violette’s voice cuts across the room like a knife.
“It’s time.”
My stomach dropped. This was it. The moment that Alec would finally be reunited with his emotions. I hoped he didn’t regret this, and I hoped that Violette wouldn’t sabotage it. I’d gut her like a fucking fish if she did.
Whoa. I could swear I was getting more violent the longer I spent with my demon. I could feel her pacing under my skin as we waited for the enchantment to start. She was just as nervous as I was.
“Remember, no matter what you see or hear, don’t interfere,” the Witch Queen commanded before closing her eyes and starting the spell.
Soft hues of magic swirled above Alec like clouds of smoke intertwining and dancing to music only they could hear. It was beautiful to watch, even though I could feel the air prickle around me with ominous foreboding.
Selene and Rae stood either side of the Witch Queen with a hand on each of her shoulders. There was a pale light emanating from their fingertips as they chanted softly under their breaths. I didn’t really understand magic yet, but I hoped that would change when I finally got to spend some time with Edwin. I could tell that whatever they were doing was boosting Violette’s power, which got me thinking: how dangerous was this spell if Violette needed the help of two additional powerful witches?
Violette’s murmurings became louder and the magic around Alec became frantic. His limbs went rigid as the magic intensified, and my heart leapt in my throat. Oh God, this was hurting him. I couldn’t bear to watch, but equally I couldn’t tear my eyes away.
Violette’s eyes went white. The air crackled with the hum of magic for a moment before everything faded into complete and utter silence.
A sonic boom erupted, throwing out a blast of wind across the room with Violette and the witches at its centre. The glass burst from the windows, and dust and debris was kicked up from the floor as the wind intensified. I had to shield my eyes, but I could hear Alec’s screams and my blood ran cold. Peering through my fingers, I saw his back arch off the table as agony ripped through him.
“Alec!”
I stood and moved forward against the wind. Hands clamped around my waist and dragged me backwards.
“No! Alec!” I tried to break free from whoever had grabbed me, but their arms were like a vice.
“Stop,” Fenris shouted by my ear. “You mustn’t interfere. You heard what Violette said.”
I stopped fighting Fenris and sank to the ground as tears of impotence welled in my eyes. Alec was screaming in pain, and I could do nothing but sit and watch.
After what felt like ages, there was a sharp burst of white light, so bright I had to look away. Then there was nothing but silence.
I had to let my eyes adjust after being assaulted by that bright light, but I was aware of ragged breathing coming from Alec. Thank God, he was still alive. I clambered to my feet, scrambling gracelessly towards the altar.
He was completely out of it. Sweat covered his brow and chest and his breathing was laboured. Every breath looked like it was painful. They sounded wet and raspy, and my heart clenched to see him in such agony.
I looked down at his chest and wondered if his heart had returned. The box was empty, so it must be there. Hesitantly, I reached forward and slowly placed my hand on his chest. There it was. Elation ran riotous through me, and a bubble of laughter escaped my lips.
“I can feel it. It’s beating.”
“Good,” Violette whispered wearily. “Our deal is complete.”
