Epilogue
Keiren
Iknew it was bad form for a groom to abandon his bride on the wedding night; Arther said as much when I spoke to him of my plans to leave for a few days and asked him to see to her every need in my absence.
My own father did something similar to my mother after consummating their union. He passed out drunk, leaving his wife to mourn the mistake of her marriage alone. It was then she realized she’d been tricked into marrying a monster.
Now Selene—my Fire—is married to a monster, too.
But I refuse to use her the way my father used my mother, or the way the dragon now clawing its way through my body demands we return and devour her. I had to leave her.
I told myself that at least this way was better. That she wouldn’t mind. That in the morning, she would wake relieved, realizing she hadn’t been forced to share a bed with her enemy.
I saw the hatred in her eyes—felt the anger burning as bright as the fire in her heart, the same fire that's consumed me, body and soul, these past six months. She will be my undoing. Her anger, her hatred—I can take it. I will take it. I deserve it.
But the way she tried to hide the trembling in her hands when she undid the ties of her dress, readying herself for the duties of a wife… It broke something in me.
In that moment, I remembered the night she revealed her fear of intimacy—how she went from flinching at my touch to never wanting me to let her go. And yet, despite learning the truth, despite realizing she’d married a monster, she'd surrendered herself to fate tonight. To me.
From the moment I laid eyes on her in the garden, I desired her. On the night of that first banquet, it took everything in me not to let anyone see the power she already held over me—to keep the beast within from dragging her to my chambers, claiming her as king and devouring her as dragon.
I swore then and there that I would never do to her what I’ve done to too many others.
Even if it kills me.
I had to leave her. After everything she’s been through—after everything she’s endured—she deserves to survive the beast. And I’ll be damned if I allow the fog of lust to deceive me into believing I have any right to her just because she’s my wife.
No. If she’s ever to trust me again, I’ll have to earn it. Rexen only knows how long that could take. And with the final Bloodmoon fast approaching, time is not on my side.
But I’ll try.
I’ll see her safe and happy—or at least content. So long as she’s my wife, I’ll protect her from the beast and refuse to use her, even to break this wretched curse.
Even if it means I lose my humanity and condemn this kingdom to fire and ash. I’ll fly her far away, to a new land where she can begin again—to save her from me, even if it’s the last thing I ever do in this worthless existence.
Above all else, I refuse to allow myself to believe that a beast like me could ever be worthy of such a beauty.