Stay, my feet begged as we spun in slow circles to the timing of the music.
The venom in my pocket hung heavily with the weight of what I felt I must do and how easy it would be to toss it in the fire instead.
I swallowed my guilt. “Arthur, I?—”
His mouth slid over the marks on my neck, and I turned my head in blissful pleasure, saying goodbye to what could have been.
But I would return to this castle and save its king. That I could promise myself. That could keep me from tossing the vial of venom into the fire.
His mouth traveled up my neck, leaving soft, scraping teeth. I pulled back to see him fighting with the Beast. His hands wereclaws around mine. His face edged toward something animal—a monstrous creature I’d grown fond of.
“He’s fighting you,” I whispered.
“He’s aware of what we’re about to do. I can hold him. But I need you to begin.”
I nodded solemnly. Taking the small dagger from his claws, I cut deeply along his forearm. He didn’t even flinch at the wound, refusing to look away as I pulled the full vial of venom from my pocket.
I heard the shift from Piffle, standing at the ready to help Arthur eventually recover from the poison. I uncorked the vial, determined not to shake, hovering the contents over the blood seeping from his wound.
He lifted my chin with a claw. “Do not return. Leave me behind forever, but do not go without leaving me something sweet upon my lips.”
Before I could choose the path I wanted, I lifted to my toes, kissing him hard and emptying the contents of the vial across the open skin of the King of Heartstone Castle.
CHAPTER 36
The Beast
OUT.LET ME OUT.
“Can’t…not yet…”
BRINGER. LEAVING.
“Not leaving…stay a little longer.”
LIAR.
PAIN.
HURT.
“It’s for the b-best.”
HUNT. MOVE.
…
OUT.
BLOOD.
PAIN. DESIRE. WANT.
…
HURT.
GET HER. BRING HER BACK.
