Page 118 of A Monarch's Fall

“How long has it been since you’ve eaten?” I asked her quietly.

“How long has it been since you’ve eaten?” she asked in return with a dismissive laugh.

“I’m serious, Selene,” I said.

“Not since Ardens,” she said quietly.

I was shocked. We were last in Ardens two full weeks ago. Acknowledging the time that had passed was unsteadying; it felt much longer, and I had been unconscious for almost half that time.

“Why haven’t you eaten anything?” I asked.

She broke my hold of her and turned to face me.

“I could not. Every time I attempted to drink, my body rejected it. I assumed it was an effect of the bond and our separation,” she explained. “You look less impacted,” she commented, looking me over carefully.

My hand went to my chest. Still hollow, still something missing.

“Enchantments,” I said. It was the only thing that made sense as to why I was still feeling so disconnected.

Selene shook her head.

“I had my protective enchantments removed, in the hope of being able to feel you,” she told me.

“The New Foundation placed enchantments over me while I was unconscious. They claimed it was to protect me from being tracked or influenced. But I’ve had this feeling in my chest since I awoke,” I gripped the clothing of my top tighter at my chest, “this hollow, cold feeling, like something is missing. I thought it would leave me when I was back, but...” I trailed off.

Selene’s hand held mine over my heart, and she smiled sadly at me.

“My hunger,” she whispered.

“What?” I asked.

“You’ve been feeling my hunger,” she explained. “The enchantments that you received within The New Foundation must be quite powerful, maybe more so than mine had been, to block out everything but this.” She pressed her hand more firmly against my chest.

“This is what hunger feels like to you?” I asked.

“Like my chest has been ripped open and gutted, and all the warmth within me has left. It can be quite painful. Have you felt any pain?” she asked, searching my eyes.

“No,” I assured her.

“Good,” she said and dipped her head to push her nose into my hair and made a grumbling growl of a sound before tilting my head to the side and pressing her nose behind my ear.

“You’ve showered recently, within the castle. I find the scent of the toiletries in the guest rooms unpleasant, especially when they mask your scent,” she said, and the feeling of her lips moving against the column of my throat sent chills rippling down my spine.

“Selene… ugh.” I could feel myself blushing.

This was wrong. I couldn’t allow myself to feel like this, to want her. I couldn’t…

Selene hummed against my skin. “What, pet?” she asked, her lips pressing like a kiss against my neck.

“I can’t,” I begged.

Selene truly kissed my neck then, her lips parting to nip playfully at my skin.

I moaned, unable to suppress the sound.

My whole neck was on fire with the most exquisite burning sensitivity. She licked a trail from the base of my neck up and whispered against my ear. “Have you not missed me?”

I could have burned up, melted, and evaporated on the spot. I lost my balance, but her hands at my waist held me steady, and she hummed mockingly, knowingly.