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“You’re trembling.” Callum moved his hands up and down my arms, then my sides, warmth pulsating from his palms. “Are you okay?”
I wasn’t.
But I couldn’t let him know that. Admitting that kissing the prince was a mistake would show weakness. Talking about how the memories of my past haunted my dreams wouldn’t change my future. This mission had twisted and turned me in so many directions, I could no longer hide the pain throbbing in my chest.
“Kelia.” In a soft tone that threatened to tear my walls down, he turned me around in his arms. “Talk to me.”
No, speaking anything right now would ruin me.
The smirk he normally wore vanished, replaced with a concerned brow and eyes that wanted answers I couldn’t give. He brushed his thumb across my cheek, sending a tremor through my body. Soft hands touched my face, erasing my fear and replacing it with something else. This gentle caress broke me more than any nightmare could.
I saw no alternative motive in his eyes just a concern that reminded me of the handful of people in my life that truly cared. Before we returned to the queen, Ineededto feel Callum and not because of a lesson.
Leaning forward, I pressed my lips to his, his eyes going wide with shock, but then those haunting beauties closed, and he pulled me closer, kissing me back and removing any doubt that the emotion between us wasn’t real.
One tear fell then another.
He moved to kiss each tear away, no matter how many fell. “I won’t let him take you. I swore to you we’re in this together and I meant it.”
His promises and featherlight strokes against my skin, opened my heart in a way that physically hurt. I didn’t want to care about this fae or the way he made me feel, yet each time his lips brushed away the wetness on my cheek, I cried harder.
No one had cared for me since my parents. My mentor worked me, trained me, but never showed love and affection. It had been so long since someone held me. I had forgotten how a simple hug could bring peace to my ragged thoughts. I had spent so many years honing the emotions out of me I’d forgotten how soothing the comfort of another could be.
Callum slid his hands around me, warming my core and removing the chill of my haunted past. Each press of his soft lips reminded me that I was something more than the magi’s chosen. For once, I wanted to forget about duty and let myselffeel.
I allowed myself this moment.
The dam broke and I rode the wave out.
Keeping my cries silent, as to not alert the guards in the caverns, I dug my face into Callum’s chest, letting him rub my back as I cried the past into his shirt. We sat huddled in the darkness pressed against the rock for a while. He didn’t say anymore, and cradled me against his chest, holding me as if the cavern was falling apart and he was determined to shield me from it.
My life had always been dedicated to the magi and the greater quest to end the Rift. Not once since my training started had I taken a moment just for me. Callum was the sanctuary I didn’t know I needed, and he would never understand how truly grateful I was to meet him. Never did I think the dark fae from the prison would be the one to set my heart free.
When my tears subsided, he slid his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder. “Whenever you’re ready to go, we’ll return to the queen. I’ll handle everything. Now that I know where the prince is hiding, we can coordinate a plan. This will all be over soon.”
“I’m ready.” Wiping my face, I took a steadying breath and gazed upon Callum.
He grinned, and his eyes glowed with warmth. He leaned forward and touched his forehead to mine, cradling my face with his hands. “I’ll get us through this. I promise.”
Pressing his mouth to mine, he kissed me, and I let him. No matter how much I wanted this to never end, I knew the truth.
This would be the last kiss Callum and I would ever share.
