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“But I’m supposed to …”
“Are you still in charge?” I ask, frowning. “You were going to die. I know you gave it up.”
He sucks in a breath, still looking at me, uncaring about the fact that we’re both naked on the cold tiles. “I gave the book to Tobias. He will run this house in my place.”
“So then … there’s no reason for you to stay here,” I say, placing my other hand on his buff chest.
He frowns. “I made a vow. It’s a blood vow. And if we fail …”
“You have to die, I know,” I fill in. “But you don’t have to listen. Who’s going to enforce those rules?” I ask. “Tobias? Is he going to make you?”
His brows only furrow more. “I … don’t know.”
“The book isn’t sentient. It can’t tell whether you are punished for your sins,” I say. “I know you’re trying to make it make sense, but there is none. This house only exists if the ones who govern it follow the rules. But nothing is stopping you from getting your way. From pursuing what you want.” I look deep into his eyes. “Do you want me?”
He looks at me with great intent. “Yes. More than anything. But I also want you to be free of pain.”
“Then come with me so I won’t be in pain,” I reply. “Because it hurts to be without you.”
He pulls the blanket closer. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
I smile at him. “A thousand percent.”
He returns my smile. “Then I will grant you this one last wish. Even if it costs me my life, I will try to see it through to the end.”
Eli
Amelia helps me put my clothes back on so I look at least presentable before we go out of the room. As I step back into the familiar hallways of my home, I feel untethered. As though the world itself has ceased to exist for just a moment. Like I shifted out of it and came back again, renewed.
When I came here, I thought I would die. That this was the end for me.
Now I’m right back where I started, back in the same house steeped in bloody history. And I can’t help but wonder if I ever even belonged here. Even though I told myself so many times it was my rightful place, that I was the only heir to this house, and that I was the only one who could make it flourish … was it all worth it? Did I do it justice?
We go downstairs, and I walk into my study to quickly pick up my belongings. The picture of my mother is staring at me from my desk, and I glare right back at her wistful eyes before I sigh out loud and pack that too. I don’t want this to be goodbye forever.
“Is that it?” Amelia asks.
I nod. “I don’t have a lot of valuable things.”
She makes a face, almost like she’s impressed. “I thought you were rich after what people paid you to take care of their sinning family members.”
I shrug. “I am, and trust me when I say I’ve put that money in a secured location out of Tobias’s reach. When it comes to this house, I don’t indulge in a lot of material things.”
“Interesting,” she muses. “So what did you plan to do with the money?”
“Use it for something good,” I reply. “Like you.”
Her eyes light up, and then her cheeks turn strawberry red.
“Let’s go,” I say, quickly leaving the room again because we don’t have much time.
I pull her along with me toward the main hall. Right then, Tobias immediately comes storming out of the living room where Mary is sitting on her hands, looking completely embarrassed.
“I’m sorry,” she says when she sees me. “He made me tell him everything.”
I don’t blame her. Of course, she had to. I gave him the book, and the power over this house was transferred. Does he intend to use it on me?
“What the hell are you doing?” he asks me, clutching the book close to his chest. Then he looks over at Amelia, who’s still behind me, and I hold up my hand to protect her from his rage. “And what is she doing here?”
“She saved me,” I reply.
“Saved?” he scoffs. “I didn’t know you wanted to be saved.”
I gaze at him with no ill intent. “I don’t want to fight with you, Tobias. The House is still yours. I will not be continuing my role.”
He frowns, confused. “But you were supposed to … I don’t understand. What are you planning on doing then?”
“He’s quitting,” Amelia interjects before I can even form a response. “And he’s coming with me.” She steps forward now, not afraid anymore to stand by my side as my partner, my equal. Our fingers find each other and entwine, love oozing from the tips.
