“In assisting the Fates to redistribute this magic, the Royals would strip magic from those they felt lacked the morals to utilize it properly. As the Royals removed the magic, they themselves would continue to grow their power. I thought the Royals were power hungry and since my parents weren’t there to protect me, my magic was stolen to make others more powerful. This is why I don’t want him to know I've figured out how to wield magic on my own.
“I’m starting to think he’s lied to me my whole life. He’s drilled these facts into me every single day, told me it’s our duty to try and make things right again. Silas has been working toward a solution to free the magic and evenly distribute it between everyone since before I even came to live with him.
“And then you come here telling me so many things that are the exact opposite of what he’s taught me my whole life, and I have no idea who to believe. I've hated you and your family since I learned the Royals are responsible for my parents’ death. Then you show up causing me to develop such strong feelings for you. It tears me up that I’m falling in love with my enemy, the people who took everything from me.”
The words spew out of him and are so full of raw emotions that I would’ve been knocked over if he wasn’t holding onto me. Confusion fills me and it’s like I’m being pulled in ten different directions at the same time. Where should I even start? I guess maybe the beginning as he did.
Choked up from everything he’s said, I take a deep breath and try to steady my voice. It feels shaky and I haven’t even said a word yet. I’m not sure if it’s fury running through my body exactly, but I want to battle the injustice Marcellus has been served at the hands of Silas. All of the lies and turmoil Marcellus has had to face all alone… and I fear this is only a glimpse of what Silas has been up to.
“Marcellus, I think one of the biggest things I have to tell you is going to come as a shock, and I honestly have no idea how this distortion of the truth has been able to last for so long.” I pull his arms around me tighter thinking maybe I can offer him some kind of comfort in this manner. “Your parents are still alive. They live in the North Alpha’s castle, which is probably about two days’ travel from here.”
He instantly tries to struggle out of my grip but I hold on, knowing the news is going to be hard for him to process. “Cecily, I just bared my soul to you and you have the nerve to try and hurt me with your fabrications?” He puts some magic into forcing himself out of my hold, and as soon as he’s free from it, he’s up on his feet.
He strides away but then turns on his heel and comes back, grabbing me with a firm grip on both of my upper arms while hauling me to my feet. Using force, he shoves my body against the tree trunk so hard that my breath is harshly expelled from my lungs and I can’t inhale for so long I get a little light-headed. His large hand grips my jaw and forces my head back into the tree I’m pressed against. My gaze was already upon his face, but now I’m left with no other choice than to keep my eyes on him. He may be acting aggressive, but I also know he’d never follow through on trying to hurt me. I try to focus on remaining calm and search for a way to reassure him.
“Why, Cecily? Why? This is exactly the reason I can’t trust anything you say to me. You’ve just proven everything I've been struggling to not believe about you right now.” He’s yelling at me, his face an inch from mine. He’s so close, specks of spit hit me with the anger spewing out of him.
“Marcellus, I’m not lying to you. It’s all true.” I try to make my voice come across as strong, but I can’t prevent the sliver of fear creeping in. What if I’m unable to get him to believe me and see the truth? His uncle has been telling him blatant lies, to what end I have no idea. Probably has to do with the plans he mentioned to spread out the magic... whatever that means. Silas has clearly become unhinged and no one has recognized it.
“Stop lying to me, Cecily!” He pulls me away from the tree and shoves me back into it, punctuating his words. “Your incessant crying won’t help you at all. Stop being such a pitiful weak woman just because your intricately weaved trap didn’t work.” I hadn’t realized until he pointed it out, there’s a stream of tears flowing down my face.
Panic clenches my heart at not knowing how to handle this situation. Marcellus is in the midst of a mental breakdown, and there's no way for me to help him because he has it in his head that anything I say isn’t going to be the truth right now.
If you’re listening right now, Fates, please bestow upon me the answer of what I should do right now!I send a plea, a prayer, a desperate demand for help to the Fates. Not even a second later, there's a burning need consuming me to put my forehead to Marcellus’ and to open my mind to him. So that’s exactly what I do.
I reach out with both of my hands and gently, yet forcefully pull his head to mine. He wasn’t expecting the action, so I don’t encounter any resistance. I urge my magic to keep us pressed together and to block out any interference that might try to impose on the situation.
Once our foreheads are touching, I drop all barriers in place protecting my mind. I freely give him full access to not only my emotions, but most importantly my memories. Giving him full access to my memories means he can choose what he wants to search for. He can guide himself to the information his damaged soul needs right now.
Knowing he has no concept on how to do this yet, I close my eyes and visualize a tether connecting our souls together. It’s a colorful visualization of the link between our two souls, the same one the Fates recognized when they chose us to be mates. I gather up the memories I want to share with him, and picture them as a moving painting with sound, so I can give him the experience of each one exactly as I remember them. Taking the visualized painting, I push it to him along the line of connection.
I start off giving him memories of my mother teaching me how to use my magic. I show him everything I've ever learned about how it works, about spells and how different ingredients combine together effectively. I make sure to add in how people end up losing their magic and the progression of how they arrive at that situation. I even go so far as to show him some of the lengths those people will go to in order to gain any form of magic at their disposal.
I provide him with all of my knowledge on the Fates, and how they work and interact in our world. Then, I show him every memory I have involving his parents. I’m able to drag up a memory even I had forgotten. I was watching him play with some of the other Alphas’ children from the window at one of the many meetings I was made to attend instead of joining them.
And then to ensure I’ve been thorough, I show him all of my trepidations and theories on what has been going on since I've arrived. A sense of peace comes over me at being able to share all of this with him. The Fates must have answered my plea, because I can’t imagine a better solution than showing him the truth.
By the time I've finished, we’re both breathing heavily. I open my eyes to gaze at him, trying to ascertain his reaction to the experience I just put him through. When my eyes focus on his face, I find him already staring at me.
His harsh grip on my arms instantly softens and he slowly brings one hand up to my neck. Using his thumb to caress my jawline, shivers cascade throughout my body. Our breathing begins to slow and I realize our inhales and exhales are in sync. His other hand reaches up to the back of my head where he fists some of my hair.
Before I can even catch on to what his intentions are, his mouth is on mine. A spark zings through me, ricocheting around until it hits my heart. A slow sigh escapes my lips at the feeling of our bond calming, no longer having to battle our strong wills. I hadn’t even realized the strain the pull was creating on me.
Marcellus’ lips feel absolutely perfect on mine. The kiss starts off as just our lips smashing against each other, but that soon changes as he tilts his head. We both slightly part our lips at the same time and it’s like we’re each hit with the need to be one another’s oxygen.
My arms go around his neck and I pull him in as tight as I can, until my breasts are pressed up against him and our thighs are against each other. I want to wrap my legs around him but the dress I’m wearing prevents me from doing so. Our mouths open further and our tongues start to intertwine. I can taste the strawberries we had earlier in his kiss, further imbedding the taste as one of my favorites.
I’m melting into his embrace like patches of snow on a warm spring day. This is everything I imagined it would be, and more. Finally, I know everything is going to be alright, now that we’ve had a much needed conversation and sealed things with this kiss. There’s still so much to figure out, but the sun is shining from behind the clouds at last.
Chapter 16
Alex
Thirty Minutes Ago
Ihaul ass back to the cave and don’t even pause before shifting once I’m inside. “Alfred, where’s my batsuit?” I question Klaus. He just glances at me with an expression that says I’m crazy and he doesn’t have the time to figure me out right now. I’m glad to find he’s taking his post seriously, protecting us until I can get dressed. Speaking of, I spot my pile of clothes where I took them off last night. Alongside them is a small arsenal already placed in holsters for me. How thoughtful!
I quickly get dressed, before strapping on the two holsters for my thighs, and then the holster that places a gun under each arm. I shove the not-so small stack of loaded magazines into my back pockets and move my phone to my front pocket. “Okay, I’m ready,” I announce to Klaus.
