Chapter 23
TWENTY-THREE
Thorn
She levels her gaze at me, and I can tell I’m in for some trouble just by the way she braces her hand on her hip.
“Seriously?” she says, her eyes bright and beautiful with all the excitement. “You couldn’t reveal that sooner?”
“It wasn’t important then,” I shrug, knowing the secret I kept would have caused nothing but drama before now.
“And it was suddenly important now?” She rolls her eyes. “I think you’ve been secretly waiting to do that since the first time you faced off against Christian.”
Crymson stands before me in a short black dress made of cotton.
It’s built for comfort rather than beauty, but she still looks beautiful anyways.
We’ve spent the last few months practicing with her magic, and though she isn’t as well-versed in the magic as I’d like, she’s come a long way.
Even now, that magic seems to sizzle under her skin even if I can’t actually see it.
She’s brighter, like a literal sun illuminating this entire room, and I want to forever stay beneath her rays.
As long as she keeps looking at me with all that fire, no matter in ire or delight, I’m happy.
Some people break under the hardships of life. Then there’s people like Crymson and I who somehow survive. Thrive.
The longer I stare, the more her expression softens, until she breathes out an exacerbated sigh.
Somehow, while we’ve been talking, everyone else has left the room.
I’ve been so focused on her, I didn’t even notice the others.
That’s what she does to me. She strikes me down and spears directly into my heart every time.
When she’s around, I’m in her orbit rather than her being in mine.
I don’t understand how the Blood Prince can resist.
Speaking of . . .
“I’ve given you everything you’ve wanted,” I whisper, stepping closer, “and yet you still run to him the moment he arrives. Even after everything he’s done.”
Her pale cheeks flush, not in embarrassment, but something else. Something more tender. “It’s not like that.”
He claimed her in his Kingdom. He was stupid enough to let his little friends claim her too. It makes me crazy every time I think about it.
“Explain it to me,” I encourage with a slip of my hand catching hers, knowing that her answer will be sufficient to calm the jealousy in my heart.
I know she cares for me. I see it every day.
Our relationship has been slowly built on trust, and I won’t do anything to break that. “What is it about those vampires?”
She flounders her hands around, looking for the words. “I can’t explain it. The same way I’m drawn to you, I’m drawn to them. It’s like we were meant for each other. When I’m surrounded by all of you, I feel larger, brighter, complete. I know that doesn’t make sense, but--”
“Actually,” I interrupt, taking her chin in my fingers and tilting her head up so she meets my eyes.
“It makes perfect sense.” Carefully, I lean down and press a gentle kiss to her lips, one that she seems to sink into.
Her fingers curl into my sides and make me hum in pleasure as she remains fully open to me.
When I pull back, I make sure I have her full attention before I say, “Whatever you decide from here on out, I’ll respect it.
” My lips quirk up. “Even if I have to play nice with the Princeling and his vampires.”
Because I love you.
I swallow hard at the surprising thought that isn’t spoken out loud.
Was that my emotion . . . or Carvers?
My heartbeat thunders in my ears but the moment she speaks, a calm follows the sound of her gentle voice.
She lets out a shaky breath. “Thank you.”
I release her slowly and step back. “Let’s hope the Princeling has as much grace as I do.” I gesture toward the door he disappeared through. “Go on. I’m sure you’re eager to ease his pain.”
She shakes her head and smiles at me. “You’re something else, you know that?”
I nod and flash her a teasing grin. “Yes. I know I’m one of a kind.” My eyes flicker toward the door where I know the Blood Prince waits beyond. “Be safe.”
And then she walks away.