33. Prince Cole
Chapter 33
Prince Cole
“You never lose by loving.
You always lose by holding back.”
— Barbara De Angelis
I watch Davina drink, knowing full well she’ll regret it tomorrow. But after everything that’s happened, I can’t blame her for wanting to get drunk.
She’s already tipsy, and Rafe looks at her with a mix of disbelief and amusement.
“Uh-oh, Princess,” he says, shaking his head. “You’re going to be a mess tomorrow.”
“I don’t think so,” she says, her eyes finding mine. “Cole told me I couldn’t be a mess if I tried.”
“Oh, is that so?” He laughs. “Well, you really kicked some ass earlier. I like this version of you?—”
“Rafe,” I cut him off. “That’s enough. She doesn’t need to be reminded of it.”
“Sorry,” he mutters. “But what do they say? Be a lady, but also a bitch if necessary.”
Juliet snickers, and Rafe’s eyes flick to her. “Oh, you think that’s funny?”
Juliet grins, leaning closer to Rafe. “I think you’re right.”
He smirks. “Don’t fall in love with me just yet.”
She smiles at him, lightly pushing his shoulder. “I think I can manage.”
Davina looks up to the ceiling and sighs. “I’m way too drunk to think about anything right now.”
I want to say something, make her feel better, but Rafe beats me to it. “Stop punishing yourself. Everything’s going to be fine.”
“Yeah,” she snorts, “if by ‘fine’ you mean I’m going to wake up tomorrow with a headache…”
Rafe laughs. “I kind of love that drunk version of you.”
She quirks a brow. “You’re officially admitting you don’t hate me like you pretend to?”
“Turns out I tolerate you more than I originally planned.”
“I need both of you to do me a favor.”
“Anything,” I respond without hesitation.
“If something like that ever happens again, you need to stop me. I don’t want to be responsible for another person’s death.”
Rafe and I remain silent.
I doubt we could stop her if her power takes over.
“Promise me,” she pleads. “Promise you’ll try.”
“I promise.”
Rafe clears his throat. “One power left to discover, and it could be deadly. Don’t make us promise something we might not be able to keep.”
I shoot him a scathing look.
Why can’t he just keep his mouth shut for once?
“You’re obnoxious,” she says to him. “Do you know that?”
“That’s what they all say before they add how irresistible I am,” he says and yawns.
Juliet snorts. “Irresistible, huh?”
He winks at her. “You tell me.”
Davina rolls her eyes. “You’re delusional, and you really need a nap.”
“Naps can’t fix this type of tired anymore.”
Davina laughs softly, and disgusting jealousy hits me. I can’t stand seeing her smile at him, hearing her laugh at his jokes.
Before I met her, I couldn’t grasp why people would stare at someone. I get it now. She makes it impossible not to stare.
She makes me forget how to breathe.
She takes my breath away and leaves me mesmerized.
I’m so fucking lost in her, and it’s tearing me apart. My heart aches with the realization that I can never be what she needs, what she deserves. I don’t want to make her miserable. She’s pure, so untainted by the darkness that follows me everywhere. She brings out something in me that I thought was long dead, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t escape the shadows that cling to me.
Rafe’s laughter snaps me out of my reverie, but the jealousy lingers. It’s not about him making her laugh; it’s the realization that someone like him might actually be better for her. Someone who isn’t burdened by the same self-loathing and guilt that eats away at me.
The best thing I can do for her is to keep my distance.
“I’m off to bed,” I say dryly, my heart aching with the knowledge that I’m unworthy of her.
“Now?” she asks, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say there’s a hint of disappointment in her tone.
And I’m a bastard for just walking away without an answer.
Ten minutes later, I take an ice-cold shower, trying to get her out of my mind.
I fail miserably.
I’m so fucked.
So hopelessly, pathetically fucked.