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In a small voice, Haven said, “I’m not disgusted by you.”
Cy let out a cold, hollow laugh. “What then?”
“Confused is more accurate.” He studied Cy with an intense curiosity.
“You’re confused by me?”
“You’re bold, presumptuous. Unafraid. You risked your life without question to attempt to save that human when none of the others would do something so selfless. So foolish.”
“Is it foolish to care?”
“Yes.” He answered as though it was common sense. Something so obvious that Cy was a simpleton to think otherwise.
“Yetyoustepped in to protect me.”
Haven’s eyes flashed. His throat constricted as he swallowed. “I suppose that makes me a fool as well.”
“How did you know? Have you been spying on me?”
“I have my ways.”
“Sirene, then.”
Haven huffed, brushing him off.
“You sent her to spy on me. You care about me. I don’t know why. But you do.”
That seemed to stun him. Haven pulled away, running a hand through his hair. Long strands of gold fell in his face, decorating his furrowed brow. Cy watched him pace. And before Cy could protest, Haven broke into chaotic, manic laughter. Like a madman, he threw his head back, almost choking on the heaving of his chest.
Cy stood rooted to the spot, unable to tear his eyes away. “What’s so funny?”
“You! Thinking that Icareabout you! It’s absurd!” His wide red eyes were filled with madness. He paced the length of the room, gripping the wood of his dresser to steady himself.
“It is,” Cy admitted. “Or it should be. You shouldn’t care about me.”
Haven’s shoulders stilled, the shaking of his laughter subsiding as he regained control. “I shouldn’t.” With his back to Cy, his voice was no more than a whisper.
A thrill of boldness shot through Cy like adrenaline as he watched the slim lines of Haven’s back constrict with each tight breath. After what he’d seen, the anguish in which he found himself, all fear seemed to dissipate. Slowly, he approached as if led on by invisible strings. The closer he got, the stronger the scent of Haven. Like plum and blood, he smelled deep and robust. Warm, though Cy had felt the touch of that cold skin. He was a walking contradiction. He pushed and pulled at the same time. Though Cy should have recoiled, he found he couldn’t get close enough.
“Tell me why,” he said. “Tell me why you care about me.” He was only a hair’s breadth away, and in reaction to their proximity, Haven had pulled himself rigid and tight like a spring bound to snap. Yet he hadn’t withdrawn. Cy breathed in the stark differences between them. Though human, Cy was bigger, taller, thicker with muscle, darker in tone.
Haven’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. He bared his teeth in obvious frustration. “You presume too much.”
“I don’t think so.”
“You’re too close,” Haven whispered without turning toward him.
A moment of startling clarity passed over Cy then. He realized how badly he wanted to touch Haven, to brush his golden hair aside and bury himself in the crook of Haven’s neck. But not to hurt him. To do… something else.
Why? Why now? A part of him hated himself for that desire, one that would never be reciprocated, that would never amount to anything. But the way his heart ached to be close to this beautiful creature…and Haven was beautiful. Cy could no longer deny it. Beautiful not only because of his ethereal, otherworldly vampyre guiles but because of something innately Haven. Something pure and raw. Something soft and vulnerable and just out of reach.
“Do you want me to move away?”
Haven’s hand clenched tight along the jutting wood of the dresser. He was trying so hard to maintain control. Cy wished he’d let himself go, release some of that tension. Kill him if he really wanted to. Cy knew he didn’t.
“Yes.” Haven’s voice was hoarse, dry and grating. “Back up. Please.”
The final word lodged in Cy’s heart. Slowly, he stepped away, giving Haven space to turn and meet his eyes.
