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He laughed again and that ache inside her tore a little more. “I’m cursed, remember? My mother fled when I was a child. My own father tried to kill me, not to mention a multitude of others. And according to some ancient text, I’m not even allowed to love, so no, I don’t think it’s worth the risk.”

“I don’t believe that.”

His mocking smirk vanished. “And what, exactly, do you believe?”

Her lips parted. She couldn’t deny it anymore. What if this male was the only one she’d ever yearn for like this? What if he was the only one to make her heart race the way it was racing right now? He could vanish one day, abandoning the regiment he clearly held no love for.

Or worse. The Rion she’d come to know could cease to exist, lost forever to his blood lust.

Emerald eyes met hers when he scented the change, the desire she no longer tried to hide. She’d already made the decision to stay.

His heart rate spiked in response and her throat went dry.

Slowly, as if afraid to scare her off, Rion pushed off from the tree and stalked toward her. Arianna didn’t flinch when he rested his hands against the tree on either side of her head and leaned into them.

He studied her for several breaths, scenting the array of emotions floating from her scent. His magic danced across her skin, teasing. Taunting. “You? You think you could be the one to love the monster?”

She flexed her fingertips, scarcely standing to remain still with him so close. “You’re not a monster.”

A disbelieving smile. “Then what would you call me?” He leaned closer as if some invisible force were drawing him in.

Her body went rigid when she felt the heat radiating from him, beckoning her closer. “Lonely,” she whispered.

He didn’t say it, but she could tell from the soft glint in his eyes that she was right. What was it like to go through decades of life without a single person to trust?

“You’d betray me. They all do.”

Her heart pounded as he leaned closer still, their warm breaths mingling in the shrinking space. “I wouldn’t. I won’t.”

Particles of earth caressed her skin, gliding along her arms and she wished it were his hands instead.

He leaned in just a little more and his voice lowered. “How can I be sure of that?”

“You just have to trust me.”

He let out a breath, showering her in his scent. “You ask the one thing I find impossible.” His eyes remained locked with hers. Hungry. Full of desire. “But I can try.”

Arianna’s heart leapt when he closed the distance, his lips barely brushing hers in the whisper of a kiss. She tilted her head, inviting him closer and her breath hitched when he took a half step forward and pressed his mouth fully into hers. His lips moved with aching slowness. As if he were drinking her in, savoring this moment like a forbidden fruit he’d never partake in again.

But she’d never get enough of him. Not in this lifetime or the next. She wanted to wrap her arms around his neck, pull him close, and get lost in the taste of him forever.

But Rion’s hands hadn’t moved, and she vaguely remembered his request the other night.

Keep your hands in front of you.

She’d prove he could trust her.

Arianna would prove not everyone was his enemy.

She wanted this male, this dominant, yet gentle male, to be hers. She wanted to claim him in every way and show the world how wrong they were.

Rion pulled away first, leaving her breathless and reeling. A cool breeze floated past, bringing with it fresh air that broke the trance his scent had placed on her.

She glanced to the side and noticed the Fairy Folk gathered around them, all staring. Rion followed her gaze, then caught her attention again with a small smile.

It was unsure, timid. If such a male could be timid.

“The Divine and the Cursed. How fitting.” He stepped back and started toward the cabin, glancing behind to see if she’d follow. She did, her entire body flushed from their brief, yet intense encounter.