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Callie turns to me, every single inch of her chipping away a bit more of my resolve. She grabs my hand and pulls me inside, not giving me a choice.

Once the two of us are alone in her room, she reverts back to shy Callie.

She smooths her hands down her dress, and it’s taking all of my willpower not to stare everywhere those hands touch.

“Thank you,” she says to her swollen, grass-stained feet. “Tonight was … wonderful.”

She’s cutting me to the core. Here I am trying to keep my hands off her, and she’s thanking me for the evening.

Cling to your humanity, Desmond!

I run my hands through my hair as impulses I thought I’d conquered centuries ago now tug at me.

My humanity is the white rabbit, and I’m chasing it farther and farther down the rabbit hole …

“Is something wrong?” Callie asks, and she sounds so damn vulnerable.

Leave! Now, before it’s too late!

I drop my hands. “I can’t do this anymore.”

My control is slipping, slipping—

I glance up at her.

Slipping.

“Des? What are you talking about?” she asks.

Gone.

Claim your bride. Make her drink lilac wine so she may never be human again.

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t take you away from here tonight,” I say. “Right now.” It’s satisfying to finally give in to temptation. And how long I’ve held out.

“Take me away?” Callie looks at me quizzically. “Do you have another bargain tonight?”

I begin to circle her. She’s a mouse and I’m a cat come to play. “I would take you away and never release you. My sweet little siren.” I run a hand along the exposed skin of her back. Gods, I want to touch more. As her mate, Iwilltouch more. Nothing will satisfy me until that happens,nothing.

“You don’t belong here,” I say hypnotically, “and both my patience and my humanity grow thin.”

Take her. Claim her. Make her yours.

“I could make you do so many things—so many, many things,” I say, my voice dropping low.

I can see it now. Her body beneath mine, her legs wrapped around me. Already I can imagine driving myself into her, her body cleaved to me. On and on it would go, one position more creative than the last. I’d make love to her until she’d forget everything save me.

“You would enjoy them all,” I continue, “that I promise you. You would enjoy them, and so would I.”

I need her. On my throne and in my bed. Next to me always and forever. I need it more than air to breathe, and I’m going to have it.

The magic I’ve gathered throughout the evening now begins to release. It’s too ephemeral to be a spell, but it’s now in the air between us, luring her closer.

She glances at her bracelet. She must feel it.

This is what happens when darkness comes out to play.

“We could start tonight,” I say. “I don’t think I can bear another year. And I don’t think you can either.”