Page 114 of Mercy & Malice

I step into his embrace, savoring his secure, strong arms around me. He’s safe.

“It was horrible. You died.” My fingers press against my temples as the scene replays in my head. “I’m sorry. I just had to see you.”

“Don’t apologize.” He leans back, his fingers under my chin as he gently guides me to look at him. “You can always come to me.”

“So, you’d really stand by and watch me date someone else and not kill them?”

His body tenses as he says, “If that’s what you wanted. I want you more than my next breath, but I want you to be happy more than that.”

I admit the truth. “It’s not. I still want you. I only want you. It’s always been that way and always will be. I don’t know how to change it, and I don’t want to. Because I don’t want to take limo rides with another guy or go to a Mardi Gras ball with someone else. I don’t want to dance with anyone else. I don’t want to kiss anyone else. And I never want another guy touching me where only you have.

“The kissing and touching didn’t happen. Cain was a perfect gentleman. He is definitely Team Micah. Ivy is too, I think, even if she won’t admit it fully.” I exhale and relax against him. “My mom is coming around to us being together. She asked if I’d invite you to brunch with my grandparents this weekend. She also wanted to know if we’re going to prom together since we actually can this year. I didn’t know what to tell her.” We can be together without my father keeping us apart or my mom worried Micah will be my stepbrother. “I think she knows your dad is never getting better and they won’t be married. And I’m glad he’ll never be around her. I keep thinking of what could’ve happened if she had married him.”

“You don’t have to find out.”

“So, are we going to prom together? And don’t you dare say if I want to. I want to hear what you want.”

“Yes, we’re going to prom together.” His eyes close as he presses his lips to mine. “I miss you so much.”

“I miss you too.” More than I ever thought it was possible to miss a person. The time he was gone after Mercy has nothing on the ache I’ve had in my chest even though he’s been nearby. “That’s why you forgave me so easily after I betrayed you during Mercy when I was the Deceiver. I knew you felt bad that we were abducted. But you forgave me because of what you had planned.”

He nods. His eyes snap closed. “Yes. What I did to you was so much worse and unforgivable. I understand if you can’t forgive me.”

I wait until he looks at me. “Can we not compare notes on whose actions were worse? Besides, I think our fathers take the prize on all counts.”

We stay in each other’s arms, silently clinging to the other for a few minutes until he asks, “Do you want something to drink or eat?”

“No thanks.” I glance around the suite. “Are you staying here permanently?”

“I’ve been considering a few options. But I’m having a hard time making a choice.” He pauses before he utters, “Nothing feels right when part of your soul is missing.”

“I know what you mean.” I motion to the bed. “I just want to sleep, if that’s okay.”

A smile stretches across his mouth. “You don’t even have to ask.”

We climb into bed and I nestle against him, my heart feeling content even if my head is still not totally on board. “We’re not okay. But we will be.” I hope. No. I know. Time. That is all we need. And a lot of time that we thankfully have.

He presses his lips to my forehead. “Yes, we will be.”

When I stare up to him, he slowly lowers his mouth to mine. The kiss is tender and patient. He’s still reassuring me that I can take as long as I need until my heart and head catch up to each other.

EPILOGUE

BROOKE

Six months later

Stepping into the house is surreal. Because it’s our house—Micah’s and mine. I went back and forth if we should live together, and he didn’t push. But eventually, I decided that I wanted to move in with him. Then we selected a home together. That’s how it’s been—together. Not him or me. But mutual decisions and trust in the other. And even though doubts slip in from time to time, I’m content with all my choices.

Even Mom is excited for us. I think the main reason is the house is on the next block away from her. But it made sense. I didn’t want to be far away from her or Ivy and Luca, and DUNO is just down the street. After considering going to another country or getting as far away from here as I could get, I decided to stick to my plan of attending Delacroix University of New Orleans. I didn’t truly want a change of scenery or to be a million miles away from everything familiar. I wanted to be surrounded by the people I love and the ones who love me.

And that includes another person who will be at DUNO with us that I’ve been a little hesitant to tell Micah about. I don’t believe he’ll mind. But Cain is a touchy subject even if he hides his jealousy well.

When Micah walks into the kitchen, I say what’s been on my mind. “I was thinking about using the money you gave me.”

“Finally.” He moves behind me; his mouth drops to my shoulder.

An injury cost Cain his scholarship to LSU and it was past the deadline to apply for financial aid at DUNO. So, he told us yesterday that he was taking the semester off and it wasn’t a big deal. But I think it is to him. Classes start next week, and he needs to be there too. “I’m going to pay Cain’s tuition so he can attend this semester with us.”