Page 172 of Where Darkness Falls

Despite what you believe about him,Saoirse interjects,his heart has always been faithful to you. As much as you fear losing those you love, he dreads losing you because of the choices he made in order to survive.

I stand up, walking to him, being careful not to cause a racket.His darkness has never scared me,I reply.

But it haunts him,Saoirse says.Behind the darkness, his desire is to be deserving of you.

I run a hand through the tresses that fall over his eyes.He already is,I sigh.

Emyr stirs as I comb his hair, and the motion causes his eyes to fly open. I try to step away, but his reflexes are quicker than mine as he grabs my wrist, throwing my body down onto the floor and pinning my hands above my head.

“Emyr,it’s okay. It’s me,” I choke out.

His eyes are feral, and he doesn’t seem to recognize me. He’s terrifying to behold in this state. One misstep on my part, and I know he’d easily kill me. When he’s like this, I can only imagine how fearsome he’d be on the battlefield, yet behind the raw power, there’s also insatiable fear that blooms within. His embrace tightens on my wrists, making me wince. “Emyr, I’m sorry,” I say, calmly. “It’s just me, your Rosey.”

“Rosey,” he growls. His grip loosens around my wrists, though he doesn’t let me go. “Rosey,” he says again, but this time his nickname for me pulls him out of his fight-or-flight mode as his eyes roam across the room, looking for danger. “What happened?”

“Nothing happened. There’s only the two of us here,” I say. “We’re safe.You’re safe.”

Sweat coats his brow, his breaths slowly regulating. He looks so unsure of whether this is real.

“Emyr,” I whisper. “Look at me.”

Slowly, his intense eyes stop roaming and meet mine. The bright amber orbs trace over me, stopping where my hands are pinned. The crease in his brow smooths out as his eyes become gentle. “See, it’s just us. We’re okay,” I whisper.

He nods, releasing my arms. He stands, extending his hand to assist me. “Did I hurt you?” he asks. I shake my head, accepting his hand. “Good,” he murmurs. Now that I’m eye level with his chest, it’s the first time I notice that he’s shirtless, causing an intense heat to spread across my face. It isn’t fair that he’s this easy to admire. The hard planes of his chest taper into muscle. His slacks are slung low on his hips, giving me a full view of his strong upper physique.

“Enjoying the view there, Rosey?” he teases. It takes me a moment to realize that I’ve only been staring at his bare torso for Eternity knows how long. This only causes that intense heat I feel on my cheeks to spread to my ears.

“It’s hard not to when you’re this… enthralling,” I reply breathlessly.

His chest moves as he laughs, and it’s only then that I have the courage to look up. His eyes twinkle in amusement as he lips quirk into a mischievous grin. My heart flutters wildly under his gaze. I’m locked in a reality where the only thing that exists and matters is us—our future. How I wish he were always this content. I’d do anything to give him the life he desires, and maybe one day I will when I convince the Na Fíréin to help us overthrow Tiernan.

If we ever find the Na Fíréin.

I really hope this Crógemma will actually lead us to them.

Otherwise, there’ll never be hope for Celestae, as Siorai seems to enjoy our exile.

Emyr pulls me from my thoughts as his hands cup my face. “What are you thinking about, Rosey?” he whispers.

I blush, moving my gaze down once more until I land on the blood colored L that is branded on his chest. My hand looks so small in comparison to him, yet it’s my touch that causes his breath to hitch as I trace the letter with my index finger. “I was thinking about the life I wish we had,” I reply. “I was thinking about how actions speak louder than words.”

Emyr’s throat bobs. “They do?” he murmurs.

I nod my head. “Regardless of what this represents,” I say, covering the L with my hand, “I know you’re loyal to me.”

“Always,” his gravelly voice whispers.

“I’m loyal to you too, Emyreus,” I admit, meeting his gaze. The knots of anticipation swell in my chest as he leans in, his lips hovering over mine.

“You deserve more than someone like me,” he replies.

I lean into his touch, wrapping a hand around his neck. “You’re enough for me,” I say, hoping my voice carries all the reassurance that he needs.

“I wish I could tell you everything,” he stammers. “I-I just?—”

I cut off his thought by kissing him, and for one perfect moment nothing else matters, except for us. Emyr wraps his arms around me, deepening the kiss. My love for him is all-consuming, and I don’t care what he’s done or will do. If he believes I want perfection, then he doesn’t realize how close to it he comes for me. My heart has been drawn to him in some magnetic pull since the first moment I met him, and I won’t allow him to slip away this time.

Eventually we break the kiss, holding one another close, as if we can’t fathom being apart. Emyr smiles, lightly kissing my nose. I grab both of his hands. “One day,” I finally say. “I know that one day you’ll tell me everything. I just need you to know that no matter what, I’m loyal to you, Prince Emyreus. You’ve had my heart from the first moment I saw you in Aurelius, even if I didn’t realize it yet. It will always be yours, Emyr. “