Chapter 23 Marcellious #4
I inhaled deeply, steadying myself.
“Emily,” I murmured, “I can prove it to you.”
She shook her head, but I kept going, letting the heat creep into my voice, into my body pressed against hers.
“And once you believe me,” I continued, “I will show you how much you mean to me—”
I thrust my hips against her, dragging a low, husky groan from my lips.
“—with every muscle in my body.”
Her cheeks flushed, her lips parting, her gaze darting away.
But she wasn’t yelling anymore.
Good.
I lowered my head, pressing my mouth to the curve of her shoulder, and dragged my tongue up her neck—
From shoulder to jaw.
She shuddered.
God, I missed this.
I touched her ear, my voice a dark, teasing whisper.
“Let’s find Malik,” I murmured. “He’ll verify I’m not lying.”
Her body stiffened beneath me, but she said nothing.
“After that,” I promised, “I’ll leave if you still don’t believe me.”
I ran my tongue over her ear’s shell, feeling how she tensed, resisting the urge to melt.
“But I don’t think you’ll want me to leave.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, her hands gripping the sheets beneath her.
“That’s what I thought,” I whispered.
I pulled away, climbing off the bed, my body aching from leaving hers.
Then, I held out my hand.
“Let’s go find Malik.”
She eyed it like a raptor sizing up its prey. A long silence stretched between us.
“Come on,” I coaxed. “I can prove it to you, my darling. I won’t hurt you—I swear. No more games.”
With a sigh, she took my hand and slid off the mattress.
The thin fabric of her nightgown clung to her form, revealing the soft curve of her growing belly. Seeing her pregnant silhouette sent a wave of emotion crashing through me. I bit my lip to keep it from breaking.
That’s my child. I’m going to be a father. I must prove to her I’m not a liar—that I deserve to be in my child’s life.
As we stepped into the dimly lit corridor, muffled voices drifted from a room down the hall.
Malik. And from the sound of it, Roman and Olivia were with him.
We moved toward the open door, stopping just before the threshold.
“Well, well,” I said, a smirk tugging at my lips. “What a lovely family reunion.”
Olivia spun to face me, eyes blazing. “You bastard! Why are you here? Get the hell out before I—”
“Why are you here?” Malik interrupted. He glanced at the sleeping child on the bed, then motioned for everyone to step out. “We don’t want to wake Rosie. You can explain yourself downstairs.”
No one argued. We descended the sweeping staircase in tense silence.
Malik lit the lamps in the front room, bathing everything in a golden glow.
Roman and Olivia settled onto the sofa, their gazes drilling into me. I remained standing, fingers clasped tightly around Emily’s hand.
Malik faced me, his expression unreadable. “You’re not supposed to be here.”
“And yet, here I am.” My body hummed with tension.
“I’m done with that demon, Balthazar. He’s lost his mind—completely unhinged.
” I shook my arms, trying to dispel the frustration.
“I adore my wife. Being apart from her has been hell. But I had to betray her—to betray all of you—to fulfill your mission.”
“The fuck are you saying?” Olivia snapped, whirling toward Roman. “He’s been Balthazar’s minion this entire time. That’s one of the things I needed to tell you.”
Roman’s face turned beet-red. “What?” He started to rise, fists clenched. “So you’ve gone dark on us, then?”
Olivia grabbed his arm, holding him back. “Don’t. You don’t know what he’s capable of. Emily and I have seen his treachery with our own eyes.” She shot me a glare that could have burned through steel.
I ignored them and stepped into Malik’s space, standing nose-to-nose. “It’s time they knew the truth,” I said, my voice a razor’s edge. “I brought you Alina’s dagger. I did everything you asked. And now I want out. No more lies, no more games, no more spying. I’m done.”
Olivia’s mouth parted in shock. “What is he saying, Malik? Is this true? He’s been working for you all this time? Playing some double agent?”
Malik’s expression darkened with anger. His jaw tightened. “You’ve failed me, Marcellious.” His voice was ice, controlled but lethal. “I told you to return only when you had secured Balthazar’s dagger.” His eyes bore into me. “Do you have it?”
My fists clenched. “I’ve risked my life, my limbs, my marriage. I’ve sacrificed everything.” My voice shook with rage. “But I’m done. Do you hear me? Done.”
Olivia stared, her breath hitching. “Balthazar has a dagger?”
Malik’s gaze didn’t waver. He inclined his head slightly. “Yes. The darkness possesses its own dagger, passed down from its first time traveler.” His tone was eerily calm, but his eyes flicked to me, expectant.
“Now,” he said, firmer this time. “Do you have it?”
My hand shot out, the knife scraping free with a furious clatter. I thrust it forward, locking eyes with Malik as I growled, “Here it is.”
I extended Balthazar’s dagger with a dramatic flourish as if offering my heart on a platter.
Malik’s lips curled into the ghost of a smile. He reached for the hilt, testing the blade with a calculated motion. “I’m impressed, Marcellious. So, you followed through. Everything is according to plan. This is excellent news.”
The words had barely left his mouth when Olivia shot to her feet, Roman following instantly.
“This is outrageous!” she spat. “Do you have any idea what we went through tonight? Hundreds died! Was that part of the plan, too?”
Malik’s expression didn’t waver. “Yes. I knew Balthazar would try to save Tristan.” His smile turned secretive. “Please, don’t be upset.”
Olivia’s laugh was sharp, bitter. “Are you fucking kidding me? ‘Upset’? No. I’m outraged. I’m traumatized. And tell me, Malik—how could you have known Roman and I would survive the blaze tonight?”
My breath hitched. “Blaze? What blaze?”
She turned on me, fury radiating from every inch of her.
“Balthazar came to the party tonight. The Timehunters had his son ready to torture and kill him. So, he intervened the only way he knows how—by setting the entire villa on fire. Roman and I barely escaped, listening to the screams of the dying. And now you’re telling me this was all part of some messed-up plan? ”
She snapped her gaze back to Malik, eyes burning with accusation.
Malik’s smile vanished. “Most of those who died tonight were killers. Timehunters or their minions. You should be thankful.” His expression darkened, his voice edged with menace. “I knew you two would survive.”
Olivia stiffened, her breath hitching.
“Timehunters?” Emily asked, confused. “Who are they?”
Malik ignored her. His gaze locked onto me. “Where’s Balthazar?”
I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. “Healing his son.” The words tasted foul. “God, I despise that man.”
Turning to Emily, I softened. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, a storm of uncertainty brewing behind them. “Come, my love. I need to explain everything.”
I reached for her.
She slapped my hand away. “No! I need to hear it from Malik first.”
She turned to him, her hands clasped beneath her chin. “Please. If it’s true, if everything he’s said is real…tell me. I’ve endured so much agony—I need the truth.”
Malik exhaled, his shoulders lifting in a shrug. “Yes, dear Emily. It’s true. Marcellious has been working with me since Roman and Olivia were held captive in Balthazar’s lair.”
Emily’s breath caught, her lips parting in silent devastation.
I pivoted toward her. “Emily, my love, you must believe me.” My voice cracked as I seized her hands—she didn’t pull away this time.
“Balthazar poisoned my mind long before I met Malik. I despised Roman and Olivia. I thought they were my enemies. But when Malik found me, he helped me see the truth. He saved me.”
Her fingers trembled in mine, but she said nothing.
“And then I found you.” My voice softened. “I never expected to fall in love with you. But I did. You saw something good in me when no one else did. You made me believe I could be better. Please, Emily. Forgive me.”
A tear slipped down her cheek, but she remained still.
I pressed on. “I had to lie. I had to deceive all of you to get what we needed from Balthazar. But I swear to you on everything—I never slept with Dahlia. I never loved her. I loathed her.”
Emily’s breath hitched, her gaze searching mine.
I turned to Olivia. “And Olivia… I’m sorry. I had to gain Balthazar’s trust. I had to play the role, steal his dagger, and retrieve your mother’s blade. It was all part of a greater plan.”
Olivia’s eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across her face, but she remained silent.
I dropped to one knee, pressing my face against Emily’s belly, my arms wrapping tightly around her waist.
“I’m begging you to forgive me, Emily, and begging you. I worship you. I’ve been in agony over what I had to do to convince Balthazar of my loyalty. Your wounded expression has haunted me for months. Every night, I close my eyes and pray that you’ll forgive me one day. Let today be that day.”
A heavy silence settled over the room as I clung to her, my heart pounding against the gravity of my sins.
Then, at last, her hand fell on my head.
“I forgive you, Marcellious,” Emily sobbed.
Relief crashed through me. Rising to my feet, I pulled her into my arms, holding her as she wept against my shoulder. “Oh, my sweet, sweet Emily.”
“So, you’ve been helping Malik?” Roman’s voice was laced with disbelief.
I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t. My hold on Emily was ironclad—finally, she was where she belonged. “Yes, brother. I could tell no one.”
“There’s more you should know,” Malik interjected, but I ignored him.
Instead, I cupped my wife’s face between my hands, drinking in the love and pain swirling in her eyes. Then I kissed her—reverently—pouring every ounce of my devotion into the touch. When we finally pulled apart, I whispered, “Let me take you to bed, wife, and show you how much I cherish you.”
She didn’t hesitate. As I scooped her into my arms, she wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, her bright-blue eyes shining up at me with unguarded affection.
“I hope our connection lasts forever,” I murmured as I carried her toward the stairs.
“I want that, too,” she whispered.
I prayed she would never learn the truth about her father. It would shatter her.
But for now, my only hope was to mend the damage I had done—to heal the wounds I had carved into the heart of the woman I loved.
Still, a shadow lurked in the back of my mind. No one betrayed a demon like Balthazar and lived to tell the tale.
And I had the sinking feeling that soon, I would not be the exception.