Chapter 49 Reasons #2
“I don’t want to hide anymore,” she said.
“Not the mark, and not what I am. The Shadow Woods gave me a purpose, and I’m done believing I should be ashamed of it.
” As she spoke, her voice strengthened with each word, and something lit up within him as she went on.
“If the world sees me as an enemy, then let it. I’ll walk this path if there’s a chance at saving what’s left of this kingdom… and a chance at saving you.”
Those final words caught him off guard, and his heart sank.
“Don’t do this to try to save me, Caramyn.
” He stepped forward, placing his hand next to hers on the hull, but still ensuring space between them.
“Do not make my burden yours. Don’t you dare find your strength only for my sake.
Do it for yours. I will not allow my wretched heart to be the cause of your undoing. ”
“You can’t ruin me like you think you can. I’m stronger than that.”
“I could very much ruin you, Caramyn of the Shadow Woods.” Heat rose in his face at the thought of his body entwining with hers, in a dance of passion that he could hardly imagine without destroying him right then and there.
A kind of heat that coiled around him and surged down to the stiffening feeling between his legs.
“Even if I say it isn’t because of you, I’d be lying.
And we promised not to do that anymore, didn’t we?
” she said, blinking at the wind. “Because of you, I was pulled from my solitude to witness the world falling into a darkness I thought could never touch me again. Because of you, I had to face the uncomfortable truth that there are those in this world who cannot outrun it—who have no means to fight back. And because of you, I have realized that darkness does not rise because it is stronger, but because no one chooses to stand against it.” She reached for his hand, then stopped herself.
“And I refuse to believe any of that means I must sacrifice the hope of saving you.”
She seemed like a queen right then—the way she spoke, and the way the warmth of the rising sun’s light brought color to her face in this colorless frozen sea.
The heightened senses within Asterious caught her scent as the breeze carried her laughter.
The sweet smell of pine and wildflowers mingled with the frosty saltwater mist, creating a fragrance that he longed to chase after.
“You’ve changed me too, Caramyn,” he said. “I once had but one purpose—to save my kingdom and take my rightful throne…But now, I’d let it all burn if it meant protecting you. I won’t let you risk yourself against the darkness I brought you into.”
“I’ve lived amongst the Shadows for a long time. I’m not afraid of your darkness,” she chuckled. “So, no more running. I’m ready to return to my Woods. This time, for all the right reasons.”
The corner of Asterious’ lips curved into a smile as he studied her features.
Her beauty shone even brighter through her confidence.
There was a fire in those violet eyes he’d never seen before, and they burned like beacons of hope in the darkest of nights.
He took out a flask tucked away in his coat pocket and drank a swig before offering a drink to Caramyn.
“To all the right reasons, my dear mystery.”
“To all the right reasons.” She smirked, sipping from the flask as her raven swept down to perch on her shoulder.
Asterious turned to leave, forcing himself away before the urge to seize her and claim her lips became unbearable.
What once sparked fury in his veins now consumed him as pure obsession.
He could hardly imagine a more dangerous place to be with her than aboard a small ship with no escape beyond the endless waters.
He would have no choice but to keep his distance until they reached land, unless he wanted to risk tearing everyone aboard to shreds and damning himself forever.
He passed Brenn as he strode to the other side of the ship, who gave him a passing glare. Asterious noticed his direction, noticed he was heading for Caramyn, who still lingered at the bow with her bird. Without thinking, he grabbed Brenn’s arm.
“She tells me I should trust you. So I will. But if you break that trust, or if you bring any form of harm to her, I will make you pay for it in ways that leave you begging for death.”
“Oh, I see. Your suspicions about me are all because you don’t trust me with her, not that you don’t trust me with magic.
That’s why she gets a pass from the killer prince for her own magic, isn’t it?
Because you want to fuck her.” Brenn glanced past the prince toward Caramyn’s direction. “Or perhaps you already have.”
Muscles tensed like steel in Asterious’ arms, every nerve screaming as Brenn’s words hit him.
Caramyn’s scent still clawed at his mind, sharp and maddening, driving him toward the edge of control.
He knew he was losing reason. The beast was stirring beneath the surface, the shadowy veins scratching at his skin like razors as they threatened to claim control one last time as the sting of that insult from Brenn fanned the fire hotter.
If he gave in now, there would be no restraint, and Caramyn would pay the cost. He had to bury the animal within, to find the strength to stay anchored to himself. Before he snapped.
He growled at Brenn in response, “Like I said, you’ll beg.” He forced his hand open freeing the man from his grasp and stormed away to the steps leading belowdecks.