To the men of Britain we once were.
Some time ago, I told Westlyn that those men died the moment Verrick cursed us, and that was absolutely true. After that fateful night, we lived in a sort of half-life, never fully waking from our nightmares. Never fully living.
And then a crazy, black-and-silver-haired, raven-loving witch crashed into our lives.
She fell in love with us as monsters, never questioning it. Never lamenting the fact that we weren’t truly human.
She saw us for who we were, and she loved us anyway.
She loved us as monsters who sometimes posed as men.
She loved us as monsters who schemed and blackmailed and murdered to achieve their ends.
She loved us as monsters, and when she cast her spell upon us that night in Jude’s workshop, standing in the blood of the last man to die at our hands, it was monsters whom the magic revealed as our heart’s true desires.
And she loved us still.
So perhaps now we can find a way to love ourselves, too.
I never thought it would be possible. But when she touches me, when her laughter echoes through the manor, when she kisses me, when she whispers my name, I feel likeallthings are possible.
Light, when before there was only darkness.
Hope, when before there was only dread.
And love. A thing so vast and beautiful, even to name it feels like sacrilege. Yet name it I do, because for so long, I couldn’t form those words. Couldn’t even fathom them. And now, the shape of them reminds me what it means to be alive.
Of all the gifts she brought into my life, the capacity to love with all my heart, regardless of the risk, is perhaps the most precious.
And I intend to earn that gift every single moment.
“I love you, Westlyn Avery,” I say now, breaking the morning silence. “Eternally.”
She turns around in my lap and straddles me, her smile as bright as the sun as she threads her hands into my hair and kisses me.
She tastes like almonds and chocolate, so sweet and warm, and it’s not long before I’m hard for her.
She kisses a hot path along my jaw, and whispers in my ear, “Take off my clothes, Daddy. I’m too hot.”
Bloody fucking hell.
Under normal circumstances, I’d have her naked and bent over my desk by now—another of my new favorite pastimes that’s quickly becoming tradition.
But today, I promised my brothers I’d hold off on the ravishings until we were all reunited. They’ve got big plans, and as much as I’d love to give in to her naughty little taunts, I will not break my vow.
I rise from the chair and set her on her feet, but she sits down again, giving me a pout that has me thinkingverydark thoughts about that lush little mouth…
Pull it together, Caldwell.
“Come,” I say firmly, holding out a hand.
“I’m trying,” she huffs. “But you’re beingveryuncooperative.”
“Not for much longer, I promise.” I laugh and lean in for a kiss, soft and quick, lest she get any more ideas. Then, not giving her another say in the matter, I haul her out of the chair, throw her over my shoulder and head for the door. “We’ve got a surprise waiting for you at home.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
WESTLYN
