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forty-four

“ G oing somewhere?” Galen whispered with hot, liquor-laced breath. My adrenaline spiked so high that I saw stars. He released me from his grasp and came to stand in front of me.

“Yes, to my room,” I said, panting. “You aren’t invited.” I tried to shake him off, but when I went to open the door, he stopped me, holding the knob.

“You aren’t going to your room. You’re coming to mine.”

I was so frightened that I didn’t protest. I had a better chance of this going well if I was agreeable. I let him lead me to a section of the castle that I’d never been to. The Princes’ wing. I wondered if Raf even had a room here, if he ever slept in it.

Galen opened a large wooden door and ushered me in. It was dimly lit, but I could see a sprawling four-poster bed and dark walls, nearly black, that contrasted with the rest of the castle’s white stone. He had an over-sized leather sofa that faced towards the largest fireplace I’d ever seen.

I scanned the room and saw another set of doors that led out to a balcony. I could see a view of the night-covered mountains out the glass doors. Why had he never taken me here? It was undeniably more lavish than my room.

“What were you doing out in the hall? Trying to escape?” His eyes were dilated, glowing like a predator’s in the night. But his voice… it was surprisingly gentle.

“No. I went to your mother’s library. I was searching for the journal you mentioned—the one with the prophecy about the blood curse. ”

He scoffed, shaking his head at me. “You would’ve been better off coming to me, instead of scurrying through the castle, little mouse.

I found it already. I hadn’t had a chance to give it to you.

” He softly brushed my cheek with his knuckles before going to his desk and handing me a small book bound in dark, cracked leather.

I couldn’t believe it . Instead of berating me for leaving my room, he was giving me a gift. A priceless gift. I suddenly felt guilty that I’d tried to steal it behind his back.

“Thank you…” I said awkwardly. He had me at a disadvantage. I was thoroughly confused by his unpredictable behavior. I hadn’t expected him to be kind after what had transpired earlier—after smelling liquor on his breath. But he was smiling at me… gently rubbing goosebumps from my arms.

“Let it be a reminder that I’m on your side,” he said smoothly. And then his eyes darted to the item I was holding. Before I could stop him, Galen pulled the book from my hand. The Mystery of the Unicorn. He read the title and then looked at me with wide-eyes.

“I knew it. I knew you’d found your form. You’re a unicorn? I should’ve known with how different you taste. Is this why you’ve been so secretive?” His brows furrowed before melting into an awed expression. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Of course he was in awe . This was the last piece of the puzzle. He could now get everything he wanted.

“You know why…” I eyed him warily. His expression was warm, like the Galen I’d known up until recently.

“You thought I’d tell my mother,” he said.

“Unicorns are as rare as they come. The last account of one is hundreds of years old. I’ve never seen this book before…

” He flipped through it quickly before setting it on his desk.

“The Elders would probably remove your horn the first chance they got. They can’t know. ”

“No… they can’t. I now hold my life in your hands.” My chest pounded as he tilted his head, studying me, like he was counting every beat, like he could hear the slosh of blood that pumped through my heart.

“When will you understand that I don’t want to hurt you? I love you.” He touched my cheek and I didn’t shove him away.

“You hurt me today. Your moods… I can’t keep up with them. Your lies… there have been too many. Sometimes love isn’t enough, Galen. ”

I held my breath, waiting for an explosion.

Instead, he led with vulnerability. “If you knew how much I hated myself, you would’ve never given me a chance in the first place.

Do you know why my room is so dark? Because I’ve set every inch of it on fire over the past century.

Burn marks coat every wall. And that’s how my soul feels.

It may have been white once, but now it’s an endless dark hole I can’t climb out of.

From the moment I met you, you’ve represented a salvation—an escape from my hell.

But maybe there is no escape… I sold my soul long ago.

I don’t want to drag you down with me.” He glanced up at me through golden lashes. “But please… give me one more night.”

I wished we lived in a reality where I could be all he needed, but I couldn’t risk everything I stood for on the chance that he might get better.

There was also a chance he’d get worse and hurt me beyond repair.

Too many were depending on me. I could give him tonight, though. Closure would help us both.

Salty tears coated my lips as I kissed him in answer.

He picked me up effortlessly and carried me to his bed.

His kisses were patient and loving. If only he could choose to be this person all the time.

He stripped before he removed my nightgown, never breaking eye contact.

His touch was feather-light, like he was handling a delicate, rare butterfly.

“Can I taste your magic? One last time,” he asked softly as his body hovered over mine. I had to tell him. “I have to go to the Oracle tomorrow. I need my magic for the journey.”

His eyes narrowed, making my breath catch. “You were planning to go without me?” He went rigid and I felt his biceps flex on either side of me.

“Yes… I decided I couldn’t tell anyone about my animal form, for my safety.”

He was still on top of me, processing what I’d said. “But you told Rafael… You’re going to bring him?”

“Only because I shifted for the first time in front of him.” My voice shook, even as I tried to stay calm.

Suddenly his large body over mine felt like a cage. He held me down as he whispered, “I’ll make sure that was your last first with him.” Teeth sunk into flesh and I was lost to him… to the magic… to darkness.