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For weeks, we’ve been taking baby steps; I’m the one holding us back—and for good reason. He said he loves me. I’ve never been in love before, and I think maybe I want to try.

My heart pounds in my chest, and every part of me begs me to run, but I don’t. Not this time. My mother’s words—promises—ground me. Love is worth it. Maybe I can love Sterling. Maybe he can really love me.

“Ask me,” I whisper.

He lifts an eyebrow. “What am I supposed to ask? Surely you don’t want me to propose in this dirty bathroom. I don’t even have a ring.”

I narrow my eyes. “Don’t make me change my mind⁠—”

“Be my girlfriend, Aurora.” It doesn’t come out as a question as much as a command, and my legs turn to jelly. He turns us so I’m pressed against the wall and pushes down my pants.

“I… guess I can do that.”

He chuckles, his breath wafting against my neck. “I’ll make it worth it. Promise.”

When we kiss this time, it’s sweeter.

But the way he fucks into me isn’t. It’s possessive, his fingers wrapping around my neck. Claiming. His. He knows just how to touch me, so I’m clenching around him, filled with his cum, my body weightless.

“You’re coming home with me,” he says, sweet kisses replacing where his fingers were pressing.

Chapter 33

Sterling

We’re together. Aurora’s lifeline is still strong. She’s safe, and I know to pull back the moment I see the slightest flicker in the cord that connects her to this plane.

I’d rather not think about that when we’re so happy now. I don’t want to think about the lies, either.

Aurora and I had already been spending so much time together before we were exclusive—planning at work, shopping together, midnight picnics, and more. Now, I think I’m supposed to be courting her, but we’re already together.

She’s mine, and she has the cottage to herself for the evening, so I’m going to be there. Can’t leave my girl alone.

My girl. She’s my girl now. It still feels impossible, even when she answers the door, smiling at me as if I’m the only one she’d hope to see there. Nothing could make me feel as special as that twinkle in her eye.

It’s been so long since someone looked at me like that, and I wouldn’t want it to be anyone else. Just her.

For a moment, guilt burns like acid in my throat. She still doesn’t know about my magic, but if I tell her, I’m sure I’ll lose her even quicker than my so-called gifts could take her away.

Aurora doesn’t let me linger on the thought for long.

“About time you showed up.” She grabs the front of my shirt and pulls me inside, giggling as I lean down to connect our lips.

I kick the door closed and guide her into the house without breaking for air. Even after years of avoiding it, I know this cottage like the back of my hand. Now that Aurora and her family have moved in, it’s changed—the couch is in a new spot, there are a few easels in the way—but I can still lead her to the stairs without a problem.

“I like this,” she whispers against my lips.

“Hm.” I hold the back of her neck, tilting my head. “Which part?”

“The part where this is how we say ‘hello.’”

I tug her hand and ascend the stairs. It’s a wonder I don’t drop to my knees right there, but we have to have some semblance of decorum, even when we have the house to ourselves for the night. I already made a good impression on her family, I think, and I’d like to keep it that way.

“We can say ‘hello’ however you want.” Once we’re in her room with the door shut, I bury my face into her hair and inhale her sweet, spiced scent. “I can say hello on my knees, with my face between your legs. I can say hello with my hand around your neck, with my fingers pressing in, just the way you like. All you have to do is say the word.”

“What if I have something else in mind?”

I twirl a piece of her hair around my finger. “What was it?”