“What? When did this happen?”
“I found out that day I took Sasha to the movies—my cards were declined.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve—”
“That’sexactlywhy. Youwould’ve. And I didn’t want you to—not with this.” She sat on the edge of the bed, and Dorian sat next to her, his eyes full of concern. “It’s not like I was going to let Sasha starve or end up on the street. I would’ve asked for help if things got that bad.”
“I don’t want things to get anywherenearthat bad, Charlotte. You could’ve come to me with this. You can come to me with anything.”
“I know—and I love you for that. It’s just… It’s hard to explain, but I knew if I dug deep enough, I could figure something out. And I did.” Charley looked over at the pile of money. “I know it’s not much—probably not even enough to cover the damage I did to your cars. But it’s—”
“Bloody brilliant, is what it is. Whatyouare.” He smiled and reached for her face, gently running his fingers along her jawline. His touch was electric, and she shivered in its wake. “You’re so much stronger than you give yourself credit for, Charlotte. I’ve always known it about you.”
Charley shrugged. “Before I met you, I don’t think I would’ve been able to do it.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I’ve never considered myself particularly strong or clever. Sure, I know how to plan heists and run a good con. But to actually take a stand—no matter how small—against someone like my uncle? To find my way out of a jam? Forget it. I was always too scared and insecure to even try.” She gazed into his honey-brown eyes and smiled. “The thing is… You’re right. Iamstrong. I’vealwaysbeen strong. Maybe it was something I learned by necessity after my mom left, or from growing up without money, or maybe I was just born to fight my way through life, regardless of the circumstances.” She closed her eyes and shook her head, the old shame creeping back in. “Then I started working my father’s game, and every damn time I put on one of those outfits—one of thosecostumes—I took on a new identity, and I lost another piece of myself.”
Emotion welled inside her—a lifetime of regret bubbling back to the surface, no longer content to stay locked in its box. Part of her was terrified eventhiswas another game—that she’d open her eyes and the manor would vanish around her, as if falling in love with Dorian had been nothing more than a role she’d played for someone else.
But when Charley opened her eyes again, the manor didn’t disappear. She was still here, sitting on the bed with her vampire king, who looked at her with a mix of love and admiration that brought tears to her eyes.
“I thought I’d truly lost myself, Dorian,” she said. “But yousawme—the first time you looked at me across the lobby in the Salvatore. It was in your eyes—that moment and every time you’ve looked at me since. Youseeme. You helped me find my way back.”
“I willalwayssee you, Charlotte. And if you lose your footing again, I will always help you find your way back.” He took her face between her hands and drew her close, lowering his mouth to hers in a kiss that sealed his promise, warm and soft and decadent, every hot breath a reminder that thiswasn’ta role or a game. It was real, it was hers, and she wanted to hold on to it forever.
But it wasn’t enough to simply want it.
The odds were stacked against them, and every day, they took another hit. Sasha’s kidnapping. The Estas and Rudy connection. The grays and the dark witches working with Dorian’s enemies. The mysterious blade of Azerius. Silas and Malcolm’s newfound bromance. The demon lord who’d marked her.
Charley pulled back from his kiss and met his gaze again, knowing she couldn’t put this off any longer.
She had to tell him what she’d been thinking about.
What she wanted.
Before she said another word, Dorian was grinning at her as if he already knew.
“And there it is,” he teased, tracing his thumb across her eyebrow. “You’re having a think about something.”
“Busted.”
“Tell me.”
She climbed into his lap and straddled him, looping her arms around his neck. “I’ve been thinking about superpowers.”
“Superpowers?”
“Yeah, like how you’ve got the whole compulsion thing going on, and the blurring, and vampire super strength.”
“Don’t forget I’mdevilishlycharming,” he added, leaning in to nuzzle her neck.
“Oh, and humble too!” Charley ran her hands through his hair and gave it a gentle tug, forcing him to meet her gaze again. “You know what my super power is?”
“Do you need a list, then?” Still grinning, Dorian ran his hands along her thighs and said, “All right. You’re the smartest woman I know—I think we’ve covered that already.” He kissed her forehead, his lips making her skin tingle. “You’re incredibly brave—a quality Ideeplyadmire, even when I’m scolding you for being reckless.” Another kiss, this time on her temple, lingering just a bit longer than the last. “You drive like you’re on the racetrack, and you can crack a safe like nobody’s business—a thing I’ve only just learned about you.” His mouth grazed her ear. “You’re passionate, funny, anddevastatinglybeautiful.” Slowly, he kissed his way to her lips, his hot breath teasing her for just a moment before he claimed her in another kiss, deeper this time, a low moan vibrating from his chest. When he finally pulled back, his eyes were glazed. “And you do this thing with your tongue that I…” He blinked rapidly, his mouth curved in a seductive grin. “I’m sorry. What was the question?”
Charley laughed. “We were talking about my superpower, and then you got completely distracted.”
