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“Kieran, I am yours. I am here, with you, and I don’t want to go anywhere. So, don’t make me.”
“I am jealous and possessive, and that Sister Theodora basically said I give you a longer leash than your father. I wanted to say, ‘Fuck you. What do you know about us?’”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “Let’s get you in bed.”
“I’ll never be sorry, Aurora. For taking you, for making you mine. I’ll burn this damn world down and everyone in it who thinks they could keep me from you.”
“No one will take me away because I don’t want to leave.”
“Good. Swear it.”
“I do.”
He crashes on the end and I climb into bed next to him, and he throws his arm around me.
“Mine, no one else’s.” I glance at him, this sculpture of a man who exudes power even in his sleep, subdued by vulnerability, by guilt, by fear.
I peck his nose and follow him into sleep.
I wake up to his fingers brushing my cheek, dried blood clinging to the bandage. I take his hand in mine and inspect it.
“We should change that.”
“I’m going to be fine.” His lips curve into a small smile and he plops on his back and crosses his hands behind his neck, his eyes on me, penetrating every cell of my body.
“I said some things yesterday—I’m sorry.”
I can’t keep a secret that is threatening to jeopardize us any longer. I take a fortifying breath. “He’s my uncle, Kieran. But I can’t divulge more. Not yet.”
He sits up straight, studying me, surprise etched on his face.
“You don’t have an uncle.”
“Apparently I do.”
I trace patterns on the duvet and he lifts my chin up.
“Tell me everything.”
“There isn’t much to say. He came to me the day before my father summoned me back home.”
“And you believe him?”
“I don’t see why I shouldn’t.”
His jaw clenches. “Because you don’t know him.”
“Or is it because you don’t know him?”
Our eyes clash and he drags a hand down his face. “Why can’t you tell me who he is?”
“Because I promised him I wouldn’t.”
“I don’t like that. Sweetheart, I will find out who he is one way or another.”
His intent look hasn’t faltered from my face.
“I want to get to know him. He’s my mother’s brother.”
