Page 124

“No. I’m not. I can’t ever be. I’m sorry if this is not something you wish to hear or believe, but I am only being honest for your sake. I care for you, pet, but there are things I can’t ever do for you—-”

“Let me be the judge of that, Master,” she said fiercely. “Just don’t send me away.” Blinking back tears, she choked out, “Please.”

When she looked up, she saw that his face was a mixture of despair and hope.

“Ah, pet.” His hand shook as he reached for her hair and stroked it. “You’re too damn cute.”

She waited for him to kiss her, to seduce her like he always did, but instead he remained unmoving except for his hand, which continued to stroke her hair. Somehow, the fact that he was not making a move on her this very moment made her heart pound hard like it never had before.

Slowly, Zari laid her head on his knee as he combed her hair with his fingers. When she rested her hand on his other knee, she was surprised to see him reach for it, twining his fingers with hers.

Tears struck her eyes, but again she blinked them back quickly. “This time,” she heard him murmur above her. “I mean it, pet. I will never let you go.”

She closed her eyes.I never wanted you to, Master.

WHEN SHE WOKE UP, SHEfound herself alone in her Master’s bed. Sunlight had filtered into the room from the windows, and she rubbed her eyes groggily. When she sat up, her gaze fell on the parchment on the table.

Her breath caught at the sight of it, and her hand trembled as she slowly reached for it. She started to cry when she saw his signature at the bottom. She touched it, wanting to trace every curve—-

She began to see.

ZARI FOUND HERSELFin a palatial room, decorated in rich colors and fabrics. An array of battle weapons cast in gold hungon the wall, and in every corner was a priceless piece of art, ranging from a waist- high vase made of pure jade to an ivory sculpture.

At the center of the room was a long table made of heavy wood. Seated at the head was a man who bore a strong resemblance to her Master, only his face was more stoic, and his build more akin to a Viking warrior than a knight’s.

To his right sat her Master, whose usual sly smile was nowhere to be found.

“I heard you have found your heartkeeper,” the man at the head of the table said.

Alexandru did not speak.

The man leaned forward. “Listen to me, brother. You know my words are for your sake—-”

“I didn’t say it was not, Mihail.”

“Just listen then.” Mihail waited until his brother had turned to face him. “Do not make yourself suffer just to prove me wrong. I already know how strong you are. You are, in fact, one of the strongest persons I know – more so than me because you had the courage to love. You fought for that love even if it meant leaving us—-”

Alexandru said tightly, “I didn’t want to do it, but you leave me no choice.”

Mihail shook his head. “The past is over and done with. There is no need to argue over it. What matters is today – the present – and you and I both know that you have found her.”

“It doesn’t make a difference—-”

“Of course it makes a difference,” Mihail exploded. “She is your heartkeeper, Alexandru! You know what that means——” He broke off when his brother stood up.

“I apologize, milord. I recall a previous obligation that requires me to leave—-”

Mihail watched his brother turn his back and head for the door. “Alexandru—-”

Alexandru paused. Without looking back, he said, “I respect you, Mihail. Not only as an older brother but as the Marquis of Sangre. You know I will do almost anything for you, but not this. Do not expect me to change my mind about this.” He exhaled sharply. “Even if Zari is indeed my heartkeeper, I will not claim her as such. My heart belongs to Katarina, no one else.”

“ZARI?”

“Zari?”

The first thing she saw was a blurry image of her Master as he came to sit at the side of the bed.

“What’s wrong, pet?” His voice was rough with worry, and when he reached for her face to wipe her tears away, that was the only time she realized she was crying.