AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I think I’ve been enamored with you since the moment we met,” I admit. “I just didn’t realize what it meant back then. Reliving the memories, though, they reminded me of how kind you were. How supportive. When Elijah was out being a jackass, I could always count on you.”
Tarnley reaches into the pocket of his slacks and withdraws something I never thought I’d see again. The leather bracelet sits on top of his palm, the open flower carved into the silver well worn by over a century of wear. “I’ve carried it in my pocket since the moment you gave it to me.”
Tears fill my eyes as I reach forward and run my fingertips over the design. “I can’t believe you kept it.”
“I couldn’t imagine not having it on me,” he says then sticks it back into his pocket. “The moment, Bronywyn—and I mean themoment—I laid eyes on you I knew we were meant to be. In some way, shape, or form, it was going to be you and me. Allison—I’ve carried a lot of guilt for my lack of feelings toward her because no matter what they were, no matter what she was to me, she was never you.”
Chest tightening, I turn away from him and head toward the open window. “I don’t see how you can forgive me after everything I did, everything I caused.”
He moves in behind me, hands running up and down my arms. “There is nothing to forgive.” His grip tightens, and he forces me to face him. “You have no idea how much everyone cares for you.”
“But why?”
“When Delaney was searching for a way to take in the ley line magic because she believed that was the only way to get rid of Lucy, who helped her? Who spent days researching, refusing to eat anything but caramels and drink nothing but coffee?”
“How did you—”
“Winnie called. She’d hoped I could talk some sense into you.” He flashes a grin then reaches forward to brush some of my stray hair from my face. “My point is that anytime any one of us has needed you, you’ve been there. You helped Fearghas bring Cole back from the fucking dead all while Delaney hid from you as she attempted to do nearly the exact same thing you were aiming for.”
“She didn’t threaten to kill any of you to get there, though.”
“Maybe not, but she also didn’t have a rogue soul hitchhiking a ride in you as a new host.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I know he’s right, everything he’s saying is fact, but it doesn’t make it any easier to swallow. Not when guilt weighs upon me as though I’m hoisting around a backpack of bricks.
“Let’s focus on the now,” he says after a moment. “On what we can do this moment. Day by day, hour by hour, that’s how we live.”
“And what can we do right now?”
“We can start the water and get your shower warmed up. You’ll feel better once you wash the last couple of days off.”
“More like the last couple of months,” I retort.
Tarnley kisses my forehead. “You got it. Be right back.” He disappears, and less than a moment later, water splashes against the tile of my bathroom, the rapid succession diminished by the cracked door and wall separating it. I breathe deeply and move across the room to my bed, taking a seat on the edge.
I remember every moment of the last two months. Every pissed-off, anger-fueled moment, and while all of that rage has dissipated now that I’m back to myself, I can still hear echoes of that voice telling me I’m not good enough.
That it will only be a matter of time before everyone turns on me.
“You’re beautiful, you know that?”
I glance up at Tarnley, who’s bathed in the light spilling out from my bathroom. He stands in the doorway, arms crossed, watching me.
Heat rushes to my cheeks as I stare down at the blue checkered fabric. “I really don’t see how you can say that.”
The vampire shoves off the doorjamb, moves forward, and comes to a stop right in front of me. “How can I not?” Reaching out, he brushes a knuckle over my cheekbone. “I never thought I’d see you again,” he chokes out. “Never thought I’d be able to look into your beautiful eyes and tell you how much you mean to me. How much you’ve always meant to me.”
“I never thought I’d see you again, either. I really thought my time was up.”
“When we saw you standing in that hall, covered in blood—” He shuts his eyes tightly, and I stand then reach up to wind my arms around his neck.
“I’m back now. For good.”
“You damn well better be, Bronywyn. Because if that shit happens again, I may just drive a dagger into my heart.”
“Don’t say that. Who would pull me back to the light?”
“Promise me you won’t need it. That there is no more dark magic in our future.”
