Chapter 28 #4
He moved toward me in a manner I wasn’t anticipating.
I stumbled backward, hitting the stone column of one of the archways.
Blake’s hand caught my hip, stabilizing me.
His other slid up my arm slowly, his eyes following his path until he reached my chin.
He guided my chin up until I met his dark gaze.
“Nothing they say matters,” he murmured, his lips nearing mine as my heart began to pound against my chest. “I would do it again, and again, and again.”
His breath mingled with mine as my lips parted, his chest closing against me as I tried to keep my breath steady.
I couldn’t.
His closeness was like a spell—it overtook my mind, body, and soul.
It swept me away to another world and cast away all my defenses.
I’d deny him nothing in these moments. My soul was his to take; he need not ask.
Warmth spread through my limbs, my heart thundering in my chest. I’d stay tucked deep inside his heart, safe and content, blissfully unaware of the troubles that invaded my mind.
His kiss was like a draught of life, purifying me of all ill will and igniting a longing that ran deep within me that I hadn’t even known was there.
He was against me, fully melded to my body. I ran my fingers through his damp hair, sure that I could live the rest of my life in this moment. That was, until his body shifted unexpectedly, sending a flare of passion through me. His eyes were heavily lidded as he tried to catch his breath.
“I want you to have me,” I whispered.
Blake let out a low growl.
He shook his head. “No, I will not take you like this.”
My brows knitted. “I realize we come from different worlds, but it really isn’t that serious for me.”
He held me close, his deep chuckle reverberating against my chest. “So readily the maiden offers her innocence to the altar of lust.”
“What’s wrong with that?” I breathed.
“Only beasts claim maidens upon an altar,” he said.
I grazed my lips against his, ensuring I had his attention. Sighing, I gave in. Perhaps he would hear me if I spoke his language.
“Lei qui eylarse vey sulnar, rui tular vi xicairn,” I said.
Then this is not lust, because you are no beast.
Blake rested his forehead against mine. “Not when I am with you, at least.”
Heat rose in my cheeks as his breath touched my skin.
“Then stay with me,” I whispered.
His kiss was smoldering, sending tendrils of passion rushing through me.
It was the kind of kiss people killed for. The kind wars were fought over. The kind people died for. The kind that made you tremble at the mere memory of it.
It was the kind of kiss from which people found strength.
Real strength—but it was also the kind of kiss that could burn you.
A desperate sound escaped my mouth as I released my breath.
A hazy mist was forming around us in the courtyard. I watched as it thickened, a chill touching my skin. As I stared into it, my mind became adrift. It consumed my senses, pulling me under the deep, swaying waves of memory.
His body was tight against mine. I could feel his pulse and the rise and fall of his chest as he drew air into his lungs, and though subtle, his body shook as he tried to control himself.
“Tell me, Adelyna,” a void said. “Do you still desire him?”
I had no defenses in place at that moment. He knew I was vulnerable. He knew I couldn’t lie in this moment. He had me trapped. I didn’t have to answer him. Like this, so close, so in tune with one another, he knew my true feelings.
His displeasure at the truth I couldn’t deny was disarming. I wanted to surrender further, to atone for the transgression I hadn’t intended to make. Whatever had been between Ryden and me was pure and true. I wanted it, but I didn’t know how to have it.
“I will make you forget him,” he said, pulling me into his arms.
“Why?” I whispered. “Why did you wait, Ryden? If you wanted to be with me, why not make me yours?”
Ryden’s eyes slowly lifted to mine. His expression was hard to read. He was lost in his head, barely hearing me.
“I ask myself that every day,” he muttered.
My mind jolted, and light blurred as I searched for Blake.
I was shaking, and strong hands were grabbing me, trying to hold in place. Finally, I saw him.
“Blake,” I whispered in relief.
“Anna?” he asked, his lips grazing my ear. “What is wrong?”
“I think I saw a memory of my mom’s,” I whispered.
He pulled away enough to assess me.
“What is it?” he asked.
“It was like before, in the Raven Room, but much more vivid this time,” I said, hesitating.
“What happened?” he asked, his tone urgent.
I shook my head, closing my eyes. “I’m not sure; she was with a man. Ryden, or something. I think they were together.”
Blake gasped. “Are you sure?”
I nodded.
Blake shifted, putting space between us. I resisted, feeling the cold surround me, but he was no longer focused on me.
“We should go,” Blake said. “We do not know that these visions are real and that someone is not planting them in your mind.”
He led me out of the courtyard, the memory still clinging to me like a ghost. I knew Blake was worried about being exposed but this hadn’t come from outside—these visions were born from within.