Page 96

I hesitated. “Not exactly.” When she peered curiously at me, I added, “Some of the pages are in a different language, and her handwriting is messy and chaotic. I suspect she intentionally made her research difficult to read unless you knew how to decipher it.”

Cerise’s lips pressed together, forming a thin line. “I see.”

I shook my head. “It’s frustrating, but I’ll find a way to read them. It will just take time.”

She was silent for a long moment. When I glanced at her, I found her mouth puckered in a frown, a wrinkle forming between her brows.

I stopped, turning to face her as I squeezed her fingers. “What is it?”

She blinked and glanced up at me, offering a smile that felt forced. “Nothing.”

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “We don’t have to talk about the journals.”

She huffed. “I brought up the journals, Alaric. It’s fine.”

“I know this has all been very hard for you.” I lifted my hand and rubbed my thumb along her chin. The last thing I wanted to do was cause her more pain. She had already been through enough.

Cerise took a shuddering breath before she looked up at me, her emerald eyes full of uncertainty. “Do you need my help? With the journals?”

My lips parted. “What?”

“If anyone can decipher Elvira’s notes, it’s me.”

I shook my head. “No. Absolutely not, Cerise. I’m not going to put you through that.”

“But I’m offering.”

I tugged on her hands, pulling her closer to me until her chest was flush with mine. “That is not why I brought you here.”

She gazed up at me, a challenge sparking in her eyes. “And why did you bring me here?”

A growl built in my throat. In a swift movement, I pulled her against me and brought her mouth to mine. She made a startled noise, her hands on my chest as I kissed her deeply. My lips claimed her fiercely, my tongue twining with hers as I conveyed just how violently I needed her. My fingers threaded through her hair, angling her head so I could devour her further.

When I finally released her, she let out a soft sigh, her face crimson as she gazed up at me through heavy-lidded eyes. The sight of her, with her lips slightly swollen and her eyes full of heat, made me want to keep kissing her, to do more to her. I leaned in again, brushing my lips to hers with feather-light movement.

“I brought you here,” I murmured against her mouth, “because I need you, Cerise. Because I’ve lived in darkness my entire life, and you are the sun I didn’t know I needed. Your soul calls to mine. To ignore that call would be the end of my existence.”

A blush crept into her cheeks, and she inhaled sharply. “Oh.” She swallowed and drew in another quivering breath. “Is that all?”

I laughed, gently tucking a few stray locks of hair behind her ear. “And what about you? Why did you agree to come here with me?”

Her breaths were shaky as she stood on her toes, angling her face to meet mine. “Because I want your darkness, Alaric. I want all of you.”

She leaned in, her mouth meeting mine again. I wrapped my arms around her waist to lift her in the air, holding her tightly enough to crush her against my chest. My tongue parted her lips, and gods, she tasted like utter perfection. Her hands clutched at my face as her mouth moved hungrily over mine.

I could have kissed her for hours, but eventually, I set her back on her feet. She was panting, her forehead resting against mine as she gently stroked my cheeks with trembling fingers. She withdrew to give me a breathless smile, her eyes alight.

“Don’t worry,” she breathed. “I’m exactly where I want to be.” She paused, her smile fading as she gnawed on her lower lip. Gods, I wanted to drag my teeth across that lip. “But I do still want to help you.”

“Cerise—”

“Even if it’s painful,” she went on. “Even if it’s horrifying. I have to do something. I have to help right her wrongs. And if this is the way to do it, then so be it.”

Determination blazed in her eyes, making her look strong and fierce, just like I knew her to be. I clenched my teeth and worked my jaw back and forth. My instinct was to shield her from all this, to protect her from everything that might bring her more sorrow.

But I knew how capable she was. And I had learned already that she was firm in her decisions.

“Are you sure?” I asked.