Page 1069 of One More Kiss

“But it would be so wonderful!”” Her eyes were brimming with unshed tears. Lordy, was this really my sister? She was nothing like me. I guess she hadn’t had to be. “You’re certain?” she asked.

“Yes.” I released her hands and stood, ready for action. Fin caught my eye and flicked his head to the couch, wanting me to sit, to settle down. When I ignored him he hopped out of his chair and moved gracefully to position himself between me and my sister. Did he think I was going to take off with her this instant?

But no. He slid in beside her on the couch and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into his chest. She sank into him, letting him stroke her hair while she sobbed into his chest. “But I just found you,” she cried through her tears.

Fin caught my eye, motioning to the armchair he’d just vacated. He really wanted me to sit, so I did. But I perched, right on the edge of the seat ready for action. “Just tell me how to get out of here.”

“There is a way,” he said. “You must petition the Midnight Prince. With his blessing you may leave.”

“Just like that?”

He nodded. “Let us hope so. You won’t get far without his permission, not now that he knows of you.”

I don’t think he understood that I was taking my sister with me when I went. But I’d deal with that later. “Okay, let’s go.”

Alyssia lifted her head from Fin’s shoulder. She looked beautiful, despite the tears. More proof that even though we were twins we were nothing alike. If that had been me my eyes would have been red and I’d have snot running down my face. She had a wholesome glow which made her look better than ever.

“Not now. We have to wait until morning.”

I glanced outside. It was still pitch black, not even moonlight. Did the moon even appear over here in Faerie? I’d have to remember to ask later.

“I know! Let’s have a Midnight Feast.” Alyssia clapped her hands in delight. “Remember when we used to do that? It’s one of my few memories from before.”

I smiled. “I remember. We lit candles and everything.”

“Fin, can you organize it for us? Please?” She batted her eyelashes at him but I don’t think it was deliberate. It was just the way she was.

Fin smiled at her. “Of course.” He paused at the doorway as if he wanted to say something, but ended up just leaving.

“So, you and Fin?” I sat back in the arm chair, trying to relax. If I had to wait until morning I might as well get comfortable. “Are you together?”

“I would like that, very much.” A dreamy smile crossed Alyssia’s face. “But alas, no. It is forbidden.”

“What do you mean, forbidden?”

“I am the Princess and he is the First, Primero. It cannot be. It wouldn’t be proper.” She clasped her hands to her heart. “No matter how much we wish it were different.”

It was probably just as well. If she was in a relationship with Fin it would be harder to convince her to come home with me. Although the way she said it made me think she was hiding something. “Is there someone else?” From the way she looked at him I didn’t think there could be.

She shook her head. “No, although I’ll marry at the time Father deems it right. So will you.”

“Not on your life.” I laughed at the thought of being told who, and when, to marry. “Even if I wanted to get married, which I don’t, it would be to the person I chose for myself.”

Alyssia’s eyes widened. “That is not how it is in our world. You have much to learn.”

“No, you have much to learn. We’re half human, Lys-Lys. We don’t have our lives dictated to us by anyone, not even our Father. Not even if he is the Midnight Prince.”

She looked away, considering, then looked back. “If I tell you something can you keep it a secret?”

I grinned. “Of course. We’re sisters, we have each other’s back.”

“Fin and I have bonded.” Her face went bright red as she revealed this to me.

“Bonded? You mean you’ve had sex? Forbidden sex?”

She nodded. “We are lovers, yes. But to form a bond is something more. A magical connection that is blessed by the Goddess.”

“But I thought it was forbidden. Not proper, didn’t you say?”

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