Page 99 of To Crave Deeply
It took everything in me to stand firm, to not crumble. “No. You know I can’t. Even if I could, I wouldn’t. I won’t let myself become a tool for that man.”
Torsten’s hands trailed up my jawline before he pulled me in for a kiss. It was short, and sweet, and full of pain. I could taste his tears as he kissed me, and my own flowed freely as the enormity of what I asked settled heavily on my soul.
With sorrow, I pulled back from him. “We need to catch up with the others.”
He merely nodded before disappearing into the shadow realm without a word.
I thought I’d done the right thing, but why did it feel so painful?
***
We finally made it to the castle and the Witch Queen walked into a side room that looked like it was set up for a sacrifice. A long stone table stood at one end of the room on a raised circular dais and the rest of the room was filled with rows of benches for a crowd of spectators. I felt like I had stepped back in time to the dark ages. It was cold in here and felt like it’d been touched by death. Light filtered through the stained glass windows, casting the room in an eerie coloured glow. This was definitely a place for sacrifices.
Selene, immaculately dressed as always, stood with the Witch Queen in what appeared to be a heated conversation. My eyebrows raised as I wondered what that little chit chat was all about. It didn’t look like they were exchanging fashion tips. Iveri watched from the shadows, and I felt a sense of relief that she was still here and I realised that I was pleased to see her. I’d missed her running commentary on my life, so I walked straight up to her and enveloped her in a hug.
She, of course, hated it.
“Get off me,” she snapped as she tried to pull out of my arms.
“Just enjoy it, Iveri,” I replied with a chuckle at her discomfort.
“No. Get off me right now, or I’ll gouge out your eyeballs.”
I let her go. “Aww, I’ve missed you too, Iveri.”
She tutted at me and rolled her eyes. “I’d rather die than be as happy as you are.”
Sadness filled me as I thought of what I’d just asked Torsten to do, about the issues with the men in my life, and how much of it wasnothappy. Iveri must have noticed something because she went quiet. Thankfully, she didn’t ask me about it. At least she didn’t need me to explain anything to her. Maybe that was why I liked her so much. Well, more than I used to.
The rustle of movement brought my attention to the scene unfolding behind me. The Witch Queen was laying a shirtless Alec down on the long stone table while Selene was inspecting the contents of the box with Rae. Nerves gripped me and my stomach churned ominously. I approached the altar and Alec gave me an anxious look.
“It will be okay,” I muttered as I took his hand in mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
He just nodded in response, clearly too tense to speak. I brushed his hair back from his forehead and placed my lips against his skin.
“I can’t wait to meet the real you,” I whispered, and he smiled softly back at me. “I’ll be right here, waiting for that kiss you promised me.”
He nodded again and Violette, the mighty Witch Queen, signalled for me to step back.
“This isn’t going to be pleasant to watch. He’s going to look like he’s in a lot of pain, but I must ask you not to interrupt. This is a delicate process, and any distractions could cost him his life.” Violette’s voice boomed across the cavernous space and I took a seat in the front row to watch as she prepared the spell to reconnect Alec with his heart.
Fenris sat next to me, and my body instinctively stiffened.
“What were you talking to Torsten about earlier?” he asked suspiciously.
“Nothing.”
He sighed wearily. “I know we aren’t in the same place as we were before I…”
I fixed him with a stern glare as he struggled to find his words. “Before you lied to me and made me fall for you, ultimately ruining our friendship and alienating Elissa in the process?”
He winced. “Yes. Before that. But you can still talk to me. I’m still the same guy who died trying to protect you and made popcorn and watched old B-movies. That’s still me, Lori, and I want you to know I will always be here if you need me.”
Urgh. Why did he have to stir my heartstrings?
“This isn’t the time or place. You might be the same guy, Fenris. But what you did changed us. We’re not the same anymore.”
He tucked a lock of his hair behind his ear, and it made him look younger, almost boyish. “I know. And there’s so much I wish I could say to change things, to make them the way they were. I regret that I didn’t tell you, and I’m sorry I messed things up.”
