Chapter Three #3
“Yet, that’s precisely what you did.” The hurt in his eyes deepened. “You sat and listened to me tell you about the woman who helped kill my father, when all along, you have the same power she used to do it.”
“But I’m not like her, Onyx,” I said, emotions raw like my voice. “I would never hurt you.”
“No?” Onyx backed me up against the railing, bringing his unique scent of cedar and woodsmoke with him. “How am I to know you weren’t sent here by the humans as a ploy to trick me? To gain my favor, only to rip out my mana with your blue fire? To destroy me?”
The heat of his body did little to combat the chill in my bones. I was in equal parts hurt and pissed by his accusations. How could he be so… well, stubborn and ridiculous? Freaking demon lord.
“You honestly think I’m some evil, deceitful person sent here to kill you?” I asked, not sure which was greater: the urge to laugh at the silly idea or cry. “That I could ever hurt you or anyone else here in this realm?”
Emotion surged in his crimson eyes before he turned his face away. “I’m not sure what to believe, little bird. I spent the entire day thinking of you, my mind and heart in a constant battle. As I stand here with you now, I’m still uncertain.”
Little bird. The nickname usually gave me butterflies, but right then, it just made me feel like crying. How had things turned out like this?
“I’m still the same person, Onyx,” I said, the ache in my chest gnawing deeper. “Yes, I kept a secret from you. A big one. But you can trust me.”
“Can I?” There was a tic in his jaw. “I welcomed you into my realm, into my home, and vowed to protect you from the dark mercenaries and anyone else beyond that barrier who wished you harm. I even welcomed your lovers here and offered them that same protection. When all along, you were…”
“I was what, Onyx?” My chin shook. “This wicked, horrible person who deceived you?”
He steeled his expression. “Yes.”
“Was me being framed for poisoning the king and chased from my home also part of that deception?” I asked, fueled by a deep hurt I couldn’t fully process. “What about Lake? He almost died the night we came here. Do you seriously think I’d let him get hurt just to trick you?”
He stared down at me.
“What about the red spider lilies?” I added. “They symbolize fated mates, right? And they led me to you. If I’m only here to trick you, how did I see them?”
Indecision flickered across his face. “Briar has knowledge of the lily. He could’ve easily shared with you the demon legend about fated lovers beforehand. You then used it in your deception.”
“My deception,” I repeated, fighting the urge to thump him upside the head. “Lying about the lilies wouldn’t explain your feelings. You feel the connection between us. I know you do. You told me as much.”
“What I feel for you is of little consequence. Nor can those feelings be trusted.” A chill returned to his expression, several degrees colder now. “You said so yourself. You infuse magic into your cooking. Perhaps you’ve somehow put me under a spell, using your food to do it.”
I gaped at him. “You think I… what, gave you a love potion or something?”
“How else do you explain my draw to you?” he asked, his normally smooth voice taking on a sexy gruffness.
“I think that’s called love, Onyx,” I dryly said. “Fated mates, if you will.”
“You aren’t my mate.” His cold indifference bled into something raw, churning in his crimson eyes. “Nor do I love you.”
The words felt like a punch to the gut.
But a punch probably would’ve hurt a lot less.
“Tell that to the lilies,” I said, trying to ignore the sting in my heart. “You can lie to yourself all you want, but we are fated mates.”
“You’re nothing but an annoyance in my path.” He drew farther away from me, taking his woodsy scent with him. “Like a viper curled up in the grass waiting to strike.”
“Wow. So, I’m a rotten snake in the grass now?” I asked with a huff. “That’s the analogy you’re using?”
“I said nothing of you being rotten.” He arched a brow. “You put words in my mouth.”
“Someone has to,” I mumbled. “You hardly ever tell me anything. When you’re not evading my questions by chasing me away or trying to change the subject, you avoid me altogether.”
“Well, we can’t all have a rambling mouth such as yours that expels every thought faster than a strike of lightning,” Onyx countered. “Imagine the chaos that would ensue.”
“Cute. Real cute, my lord,” I dryly said. “I’m not in the mood to be teased.”
“No? How unfortunate for you then, for I find teasing you quite enjoyable.”
Frustration began to replace the hurt flooding the spaces between my ribs. “This hasn’t been easy for me either, you know. Far from it. Ever since I came to Bremloc, one thing or another has either tried killing me, eating me, or Evan-napping me.”
“Evan-napping?” He arched a brow.
I ignored him, feeling a ramble about to be set free.
“I not only learned that I’m the long-lost son of a prince, who was murdered, mind you, but also that I have super rare and powerful magic that makes me a target to anyone who learns about it.
Case in point being the dangerous freaking mercenaries lurking in the dark wood just waiting for the chance to snatch me away. ”
He opened his mouth. “You—”
“And then,” I continued, cutting him off.
“I was falsely accused of poisoning my uncle at the royal ball and thrown into the dungeon. Do you know how scary dungeons are? Do you?” I poked his chest. “Not to mention gross. It was infested by creepy, crawly things that would make Herbert and Holly look like fluffy bunnies in comparison.”
“Herbert and who?”
“That’s not the point.” I flicked my wrist at him. “I was framed, imprisoned, then stolen away in the dead of night and forced to leave my home. As for why I didn’t tell you I was the Hallowed Saint? Honestly, I was scared.”
“Scared?” His brow tapered. “Of me?”
I nodded, losing some of my ire as my ramble died down. “The former saint helped defeat your father. I was worried you’d kill me the moment you found out. Out of either retaliation or hatred.”
Onyx lifted his hand to my face, gliding the backs of his knuckles over my jaw. “I have never once considered harming you.”
Tingles attacked my blood stream. “Not even now that you know who I really am?”
“Not even now,” he responded, his voice taking on an unexpected softness.
“Are you sure that’s not just the love potion talking?” I mumbled.