Page 98 of Unclaimed Bonds
I shake my head and smile sadly. “No. You see, in my fantasy, the princess had magical powers beyond anyone’s imagination. I just wanted her to bring my parents back from the dead so we could be a happy family and live together in the world my mother imagined. I would repay her by serving as her guard for the rest of my life in gratitude.”
Twisting her body, she searches my face with those clear blue eyes.
I avert my gaze. I don’t want her pity.
She slides her hand around my neck and pulls me down, gently pressing her lips on mine. Her kiss is sweet, compared to my crushing one earlier.
Breaking our kiss, I confess, “In all my life, I never once thought I would serve as a guard to an actual princess. I will slay all the dragons and ogres and kill the evil witch with my magic for you. I would protect you and keep you safe for the rest of my life.”
She rests her forehead against mine. “I know,” she whispers. She pulls back to stare at my chest. “I wish you weren’t leaving.” Turning forward again, she angles her head so I can’t see her expression. I pull her body flush against mine and wrap my arms tight around her.
I murmur into her ear, “I don’t want to. Leaving you is the last thing I want to do.” Her head bobs against my shoulder. “Baby, you asked me if I fell in love with the princess and lived happily ever after. I never imagined it because guys like me don’t know how to fall in love or find a happily ever after. Or, I thought that… until I met you. I’ve fallen in love with you. But a happily ever after just isn’t in my cards. That’s why I need to leave.”
She wipes her face with the sleeve of my hoodie.
I want to promise her that, somehow, I’ll figure it out. But those promises are just lies. I don’t make promises I can’t keep. I tighten my hold on her, not wanting to let her go.
We sit there in silence, wishing I could say or do something to ease the pain that envelops us. I can’t think of anything to make it better, and I don’t want to make it worse.
Her soft, raspy voice breaks through the melancholy. “Can I kiss you one last time before we go? Before you leave, and I never see you again.”
I rest my head against hers and squeeze my eyes shut. Something inside of me breaks. Emotions I never allowed myself to feel flood to the surface. Tears build behind my lids, and I taste them in the back of my throat.
I haven’t cried for nearly ten years, not since that horrible night my mother died. How? How could I have fallen so hard for this precious, resilient woman, full of magic and unwavering love? How could I have found her, only to lose her at the same time?
“Anything you want,” I reply, my voice hoarse, raw with emotion. I lean back to gaze into her beautiful face, into those fucking amazing eyes. My lips tremble. Fear of losing her paralyzes me.
She tilts her chin up, curling her hand in my hair, and pulls me toward her. Pushing away all the angst and regret filtering through my mind, I show her how much I love her by deepening the kiss. I lose myself in her sweet, soft lips.
Our spell finally breaks. As we walk back, I hold her hand, relishing the way it feels in my own. I rub the back of her hand with my thumb. Looking down at our entwined fingers, I remember the first time I held her hand in mine, the night we brought her home from Whitemore plantation. That was the moment, that first touch, when I gave her my heart.
Chapter 46
Chaos And Questions
LUKE
EIGHT YEARS AGO:
November 15, 2016: 10 a.m.
Alpha Kings Mansion
My growling stomach forces me out of my room and down to the kitchen. I find it bustling with staff and Aunt Tater ordering everyone about. They all are in full prep mode for tonight’s ball.
My mother clusters in the group assembling trays of hors d’oeuvres. I kiss her cheek as I pass by. She smiles and immediately grabs a plate for me, piling it with food. “Have a good time celebrating your accomplishments?” she asks and sets the plate in front of me on the kitchen counter.
I did until Jessica ruined my mood. “Yeah, we had a good time hanging out.”
“Good.” She offers me another small smile. “Time flew by so fast. I will miss you when you leave for school tomorrow.”
“I’ll miss you, too, Mom.” I sit, waiting for her to question me about this morning. But they never come. “Uh, did you see the twins this morning?”
“Yeah. They left with Jessica a couple of hours ago.” She holds up a hand. “Before you start, Charlie went with them, along with Sixes and Emily. She’s fine. They will be back before the ceremony.”
I wasn’t planning to ask, but good to know. I really don’t care what happens to Jessica anymore. I just want her to stay away from my family, from my friends. I lose my appetite, but I force myself to eat a little while my mother and I engage in small talk. I should enjoy these moments with her before I leave.
Instead, I brood over Jessica. My mother eventually leaves, allowing me to stew alone with my thoughts. Aunt Tater brings me samples of food to try, like when I was a little boy.
