Page 152 of Where Darkness Falls

Emyr frowns, apparently not enjoying my joke. “I don’t want to hurt you,” he finally says.

I pull his face closer to mine. “Then don’t,” I reply.

He stops me, and something akin to fear flashes in his gaze. “Destruction and chaos follow me, Rosey,” he sighs. “You deserve a better life than the one I can give to you. If I were a better Galrosan, I’d let you go. I’d have the strength to not desire you, but the longer I’m with you, I fear my resolve is weakening.”

“Your demons don’t scare me,” I whisper.

“They’ll frighten you one day,” he replies. “I-I don’t want you to regret?—”

I silence him with a finger. “Emyreus Alistair, you’re the most stubborn Galrosan I’ve ever met. You can be cruel and ruthless, but I’ve also seen your capacity for compassion and virtue. You brought me back to life when I felt like my world was gone. I have many regrets, but you aren’t one of them.”

A single tear falls down his cheek. “I don’t deserve you,” he murmurs.

“Yet, you have me,” I whisper. Something akin to hope lights his features. “I’m yours, Emyr.”

Any hesitation he had moments ago is gone, and his mouth collides with mine. I’m frozen at the connection of his soft lips, unsure of what to do. Slowly, I find myself relaxing into the moment. The kiss is tender and soft, not possessive or lustful—just sweet. He pulls back, searching my face. A warmth floods through my body all the way down to my toes as I pull him back to me.

His mouth devours my own in a gentle caress that slowly deepens. Every good thought and feeling floods through me with such intensity that my brain becomes muddled. Any part of me that wished to keep him at arm’s length dissipates with every kiss. He may not say it, but I feel his affection radiating from him as he envelopes me. His hands weave through my hair so softly. He treats me like I’m the most precious thing in his life, and I also want to handle him with such care. His hands don’t roam or try to push beyond what I’m comfortable with. Instead, this is for us to enjoy one another in the most beautiful moment I’ve ever experienced. I melt into his touch, wrapping my arms around him. A hum rumbles in his chest as he deepens the kiss.

I’ve never kissed someone before, but I know with all the certainty of my heart that I’ll never want to experience this with another. I’m completely consumed by him—by his devotion to me.

Though I’m content to stay this way, kissing him from now until Eternity, I break the connection. Our rapid heartbeats in their own dance. His face is lit with such joy and hope. I don’t remember what it’s like to see the sun or feel its warmth, but I imagine it to be dim in comparison to his merriment. “Just as I suspected,” he whispers, cradling my face in his hands. “You’ve ruined me.”

I love you,I think to myself, but I fear what might happen if I say it out loud.

I clear my throat and turn around to face the fire. I lean back against his hard chest, allowing his arms to circle around me. I weave my fingers through his, wishing that we could stay like this forever. This moment is perfect, and I never wish for it to end.

“Emyr?” I whisper.

“Yes, my Rosey?” he asks.

“Would you sing for me?” I inquire.

He plants a kiss on my cheek. “Anything you desire you’ll have, my Rosey,” he replies. “Any requests?”

“The one you sang in my chambers after the masquerade,” I say.

Immediately, he sings the haunting ballad that I enjoy only from his lips. I’ve listened to my fair share of musicians and singers in Aurelius, but none compare to his talent. His deep vibrato carries not only the tune but emotion of the song, as if it were alive. I close my eyes, listening to the acoustics bounce around our small haven. As he continues, sleep soon overwhelms me, and I drift away to the sound of his voice.

I’munsure how much time has passed, but I drift awake as Emyr shuffles my body back underneath my blanket. He gently rakes his hand down my head and through my hair. The motion soothes me backinto the nightmare-less sleep I was in moments ago, comforted by my Galrosan prince.

It could be my imagination, but I swear that I hear him mumble a phrase under his breath.

Of course, that would be absurd.

After all, Emyr cares deeply for me, but he could never love me.

Yet, as I drift off once more, his words replay in that dreamless sleep:

“I love you always, my Rosey.”

I’m wokenby the back of my head smacking against something hard.

Owwww!

As I try to drift back to deep sleep, my head hits something with a loud thud. This time, my eyes open a smidge, and I find large trees looming over me as I pass underneath.

Trees?