AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Can I not? I can’t just sit on this, knowing she’s been manipulated into loving me—that it’s possible everything she feels isn’t real. She deserves to know.”
My father’s words echo in my mind. ‘Sometimes ignorance is bliss…’ Hell, I wish I didn’t know… So maybe giving her the gift of ignorance is the best call.
“Neither of you can change a deal, Kai. It’s been made. Let her believe she has some control.”
“I suppose you’re right…”
18
Alice
“Put the bond back,” I plead, stroking her soft fur. “The poison is waning. I’ll feel some of it, but it’s okay. I’m safe. If you put it back, I can help you heal.”
She purrs quietly, nuzzling my shoulder. As much as she hates being told it, she is an exquisite creature. My fingers skim over her ivory horns as her eyes flutter closed. There are two small tusks, situated on either side of the larger, sharper one just above her nose. Her white silky hair has streaks of dark gray that stripe in a faded pattern across her girth. Massive paws stretch, fanning out to reveal the webbing between her toes and the lethal talons she can retract at will.
“Please, Luri” I say, nudging her.
Two yellow eyes peek beneath her hooded lids, then disappear. It astounds me how the irises change colors. Like a hologram, catching the light from a different direction. Most of the time, they’re yellow, but sometimes they turn a jade green or a fluorescent blue. Then when she’s really in tune with something and tracking prey, they’re a deep red. Her slit-like pupils blow into large circles and her tail swishes, tracking her target like a predator. Whereas in times like this, she’s a glorified house cat.
“She knows…”
I jerk upright, knowing that voice, and against my better judgment, my heart flutters as butterflies swarm my insides.
“Knows what?” As much as I’m trying to keep my tone unenthused, I’m not fooling anyone. Especially not Kai. I should hate him, but somehow his presence iscalmingand in a time where I’m losing those I love one by one, I’m not ready to lose another. Even if he is an asshat.
“That she has to go back. Just as she knows how much it will hurt both of you to have to say goodbye. If the bond is in place, you’ll not only feel her pain now, but her sadness too when she goes back. If I were her, I’d do the same to spare you the burden.”
My eyebrows bounce once as I return to combing her mane. “Well, regardless of where she is, I’d rather be able to talk to her and I can do that through the boundary. I’m not saying goodbye when I can still see her.”
“Not everyone thinks the way you do,” he says, stepping closer.
“Why are you here?” I don’t lift my eyes from Luri’s fur.
He crouches down next time, and the heat of his body teases mine. I tense, pushing away the urge to throw myself into his arms and bask in the comfort that his nearness offers. He won’t be let off the hook that easily.
“Finn said she needed stitches. I happen to be good at them,” he says, nudging something into my arm. “And I figured you’d want a change of clothes and a chance to wash up.” Meeting his gaze, I spot the mischievous glow in his eyes. “You have a little something…” he trails off, gesturing to his entire face.
“Very funny.”
Taking the clothes, towel, and water bottle, I head to the far side of the box. He’s seen me naked dozens of times before, but something is different now. Whether it’s the rage I feel toward him, or maybe just the unease about showing him the scar from where I removed the mark, I shouldn’t be worried about him seeing it. He’s the reason it’s there. But I’m not sure which hurts more, his betrayal, which is slightly dulled by his efforts to try to save Luri, or the thought of losing him.
Is there a way forward for us anymore? Our relationship was already strained with him being gone so much. Not in a way where we’ve lost the connection we share, but more because we’ve both closed ourselves off to cope with the separation.
Maybe it’s better this way… I just wish I could truly hate him, but even after what he’s done, I can’t help yearning to be near him. Nor can I stop the emptiness that seems to swallow my heart whole when I think about not having him by my side or in my life. There is no black-and-white answer… but reason tells me this isn’t right.
I step behind the stack of hay bales to strip. Uncapping the lid and using my magic, the water flows free and swirls around me, lifting the blood from my skin and hair. When it’s finished, it streaks back inside, and I replace the cap.
Slipping on the silk panties and black leggings, I finish by pulling the large sweater over my head and breathing in deeply. The scent of sandalwood with a hint of whiskey fills my nose.Fuck me…It smells just like him. There’s no doubt in my mind that he did it on purpose, knowing I wouldn’t let him physically comfort me, but wanting to do so in some way. And it works… sort of. If it weren’t for me imagining a life without him moments ago, it would’ve.
I’ve always loved the way he smells. Being near him is like aromatherapy for the soul, and when he holds me, it’s the only place I feel at peace. Clutching the fabric, I lift it to my nose, pushing down the tears that threaten to spill out down my cheeks. Only this time I’m not strong enough to hold them back. My chest pulls tight as I lean my forehead into the stack of hay and let go.
“Alice.” Quickly wiping at my face in a weak attempt to hide it, I spin around to find my prince wringing his hands together. His sharp jawline twitches as his eyes do a slow perusal of my face and body, reading me like a damn book.
“I’m okay. It’s just—”
“You’renotokay, love…” he steps forward, and I match it backward, feeling the hay brush against me. “I’m sorry. I did this… I thought I was helping, but clearly–” he cuts off, blowing out an exhale through his nose hard enough for his nostrils to flare. “I was so wrong. I put that mark on you to protect you and it ended up causing more problems than it solved. If I could do it all over…”
He closes the slim space between us, stepping into my space and breathing my air. Kai reaches out to grab my hand and yanks me toward his chest. His arms wrap around me, and I push him away, desperate to not do this. I can’t…I shouldn’t.
