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“It only works when you actively seek me out or call to me,” he says simply, then adds, “I truly am sorry, my dear Clara, for everything.”
My heart thunders in my chest. Suddenly nervous, I chew on the inside of my cheek and search for anything else to talk about, something lighter, easier—
Alaric dips his head, tangling his fingers in my hair as his mouth crashes down on mine. It only takes a fraction of a second for me to melt into him. His lips move over mine, firm and demanding. Hungry. Opening up to him, his tongue dances across mine, fangs scraping against my bottom lip. I push up on my toes, deepening the kiss, but he breaks it all too soon.
An apology, a declaration of love, and a kiss are not enough to fix things. But it’s a step in the right direction.
The pain his words and actions caused will not disappear, but I can forgive him and focus on the present so we can move forward together.
“We better get you to training before Cassius comes looking for you. I doubt he’ll be pleased to find me in your room.”
I flatten my heels and sigh.He’s right, but there’s so much left unsaid, so many questions, so many things to figure out, and to say.
Except all I can think of is that Alaric loves me even when he had every reason not to.
Past the pain and our glaring imperfections, despite how the world tries to keep us apart, somehow, we have found our way to each other.
Chapter Five
Clara
My eyes flyopen at the sound of my name. My first instinct is to curse Varin for denying me sleep a second night in a row.
“Clara,” Alaric says, closer than before.
I lift my head and find his face barely an inch from mine.
“What are you doing here?” Furrowing my brow, I sit up rubbing my eyes.
He takes my hand, holding it palm up in his. Alaric stares at my hands and runs the pads of his finger over the sensitive skin, tracing the lines.
Cupping his cheek with my free hand, I ask, “Did something happen?”
“No. I’ve come to ask you something—it’s reckless and most definitely a terrible idea,” he says without lifting his gaze.
My mind whirls with possibilities. “Ask me.”
“I would like to take you somewhere for a few hours. I will have you back with enough time to get plenty of sleep.”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation.
His head snaps up, and he smiles broadly as if he expected me to refuse. But the truth is, he could ask me for anything and I would always say yes.
Rising from the bed, I dress quickly then cross the room to where Alaric awaits at the door.
“I’m ready,” I say.
He slips an arm around my waist and pulls me in for a kiss. If he wanted to change plans and stay, I wouldn’t complain.
After several exquisite moments, he pulls away and takes my hand in his again as if by habit then leads me out into the hall. We hurry through the narrow back passages, ducking into empty rooms or dark corners when anyone draws near. The hallways are nearly empty as some humans retire for the night, while others rise for the night to pamper and serve the court.
The cold winter air takes my breath away as we step out into the night. Alaric tucks me into his side as a shiver skates over my body.
I glance up at him in awe. We are so far from where we started. It almost doesn’t feel real.
He loves me.
Again, emotions rise, threatening to overwhelm me and I have to clear my throat to speak. “Where are we going?”
