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“Don’t dare me—-”

He said tightly, “That I have met another heartkeeper before her.”

Soleil jerked in her seat.

The knife slid sharply to the right.

Pain exploded inside of her.

The marquis roared, “No!”

“Oh, dear. That wasn’t even me.” But Crystal’s eyes were alight with joy as she watched Soleil’s blood gush out. “I apologize for the pain, but we are not yet finished.”

“Then what else do you want?” Ilie demanded. “Tell me, just stop hurting her—-”

Raising her voice, Crystal asked, “Was it not Georgina – the woman also promised to the demon duke – who is your heartkeeper?”

“Yes, damn you!” As he spoke, he watched tears start to streak down Soleil’s sleeping face. His chest constricted. “Soleil—-”

But his heartkeeper’s attacker was already asking him another question.

“Did you not continue to love that woman even when you had already met your second heartkeeper?”

“Yes!” More tears fell, and Ilie felt like each tear burned him alive. “I’m sorry, Soleil, but yes. It’s true.” He gazed down at his heartkeeper’s lifeless body. “So fucking let her go if that’s all you want to hear—-”

Crystal whispered to Soleil’s ear, “And there you have it. Live with that knowledge, and enjoy your happy ever after with your demon.”

Soleil closed her eyes.

When she opened them, she was back in her bedroom, and the marquis was staring at her throat.

Her lip trembled at the effort it took not to cry out loud. She touched her throat and didn’t feel any pain or laceration. The only thing that hurt right now was her heart.

“Soleil?”

The hurt worsened. How could it be that hearing her name on his lips hurt more than a stab in the heart?

Ilie reached for her, but she jerked away from his touch.

When he stiffened in shock, she had an even greater urge to cry. “I’m s-sorry,” Soleil whispered. “I know I owe you my life. I know I have no right...but just...”

“No, ma lisse—-”

And that...that hurt even more.

She shook her head, whispering, “Just...I just need...” She didn’t know what to say, what to think. He might not have loved her, but he had saved her life. “I’m not angry,” she whispered brokenly. “I don’t blame you. I just need...” But how could she ask him what she wanted when it was because of him she was still breathing?

In front of her, the marquis swallowed audibly. “Soleil—-”

She flinched.

Ilie clumsily slid to his feet.

She squeezed her eyes shut tightly.

I understand.

His voice in her mind.