Page 10 of One Last Wish (The Elder World)

“D oes anyone want to go for a quick drink? I’m meeting Ned at Poppy’s,” Daisy asked all of us as we left Bookends early. Alice and Theo nodded. I already had my coat on and started to walk away. “You won’t even come for one drink, Alora?” Daisy called.

“I need to get this stuff in my fridge.” I motioned at the bag of food Evelyn had gotten me. For once, I had an actual excuse not to go.

As I made my way to the first corner, I felt someone trying to take my plastic bag. I turned quickly, ready to slam my fist into the thief. My body jolted at Darce taking the bag from me. “I’ll help you carry that. You live on the other side of the bridge, right?” All I could do was nod. What was he doing? “That’s quite a way to carry some shopping.”

“I’ve done it before.”

“Stop being stubborn and accept my help, Alora.” I was too tired to argue and allowed him to walk with me.

“Where do you live, anyway?” I asked once we’d reached the bridge. Dusk was setting and New York had the usual smell of smoky, mixed kebab meat and exhaust fumes. It had taken me months to work out the smell a few years ago.

“That’s a bit of a personal question, don’t you think?”

“If you live on the Manhattan side of New York, it isn't. You’d be walking the opposite way to where you live.”

“You honestly think I could afford to rent somewhere on the Manhattan side with Bookend wages?” Darce made a fair point.

“I live a few blocks from the bridge in Brooklyn.” With me giving my information I’d hoped Darce might share his location with me.

“I can walk with you all the way home, if you want.”

“Why?”

“Not for the reason you’re hoping for.” That smug smile...ugh! I wanted to slap it off his face. “I’m in the mood to be heroic.”

“By carrying my shopping bag? Yeah, you’re such a hero,” I snorted, rolling my eyes at him. “Surely, you have better things to do than walk me home.”

“Actually, I don’t.”

“What are your plans tomorrow?” It suddenly dawned on me, I knew absolutely nothing about him. Well, apart from his name, age, and the fact I wanted to mount him.

“Oddly, I don’t have any. Thanksgiving isn't something I’ve ever celebrated.”

“Are you British? I did pick up a bit of that in your accent.”

“I’m a lot of things, Alora.”

“I have no idea what that is supposed to mean. Why are you so fucking cryptic all the time?”

That small smirk I was growing to adore played on his lips. “You saying that is ironic , when you don’t talk or let people in.”

“Fine! I don’t want to know anything about you, anyway.”

“Whatever you say.” The prick was still smirking as he looked out over the bridge. “It’s quite beautiful up here with the city in the distance.”

“Yeah, I enjoy my walk to work, too. There is something about the high rises and skyscrapers in the distance that is so awe inspiring.”

“It’s amazing what the human race has achieved in such a small space in time.” Darce was thoughtful for a moment. When his eyes darted to mine, they seemed troubled.

“You enjoy history, then?” It was a leading question. I wondered if he’d take the bait.

“You could say that.” Damn, nope. He didn’t take the bait, at all.

Thirty minutes later, Darce and I were walking down my street. “This is me,” I muttered when I’d reached my door and tried to take the bag from him. Instantly, I regretted it as our fingertips brushed slightly. The bolt of lightning that seemed to course through my hand made me step back. Shit! That was like a static shock. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to touch you.”

“No harm done,” he whispered softly. “Here.” Passing me the bag, he gave me one longing look and left. I was starting to realise Darce didn’t like to say goodbye.

Once inside, I slid down the back of the door. My legs buckled from the pressure that was Darce Undergrove. This desire I had for him was a burning furnace. The more time I spent with him, the more I wanted him.

If Darce continued to keep me at a distance, I feared losing my mind would be the least of my problems.

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I LAY AGAINST COOL , white silk sheets. “You shouldn’t be here.” I gasped, sitting up in the largest white marble bed I’d ever seen. There were shadows in the corner of the room, and my eyes widened at the sight of Darce shirtless. It was a dream that I was watching through my own eyes. My mind really had pictured the most perfect chiselled body when it came to Darce. He was pure sin, with his defined six pack and indents on his hips that disappeared below his trousers. Moisture pooled at my centre, taking him in.

“I can’t keep away,” he swallowed, stalking towards my bed.

Oh, was I about to have a sex dream about Darce?

“If anyone finds you here...” I stressed, looking towards two really large dogs . Wait! What the hell were they? They looked a little like wolves, but their fangs were bigger, and their claws were as deadly as knives.

“Loki and Enyo love me. Relax. They won’t alert anyone.” Darce soothed as one of the creatures rubbed against him before they both left through an archway draped in glistening voile.

“Darce, if anyone finds you here, you’ll be killed.”

“They can try.” He was so sure of himself, nothing could touch him. It was there in his jet black eyes. Moving onto my bed, he pulled the silk sheet from my body. “Holy Ether. You are beautiful,” he breathed, capturing my lips with his.

The taste of him invaded my senses. I swept my tongue into his mouth, gasping as his fingertips traced the curve of my chest.

“I’m sorry,” I cried into his mouth. “It’s all my fault.”

“No, it’s mine. You have this hold over me.” His hands captured my face. That longing, that pure desire in his flecked, midnight eyes, I could fathom no words. “I need you, Alora.” The rasp of pain in his voice sliced me apart.

“I’m yours . Take me any way you please.” Darce gave in with a low snarl, kissing me with a force that made my insides burn.

He made quick work of the fabric on my body. I couldn’t even describe what I’d been wearing. His hands gripped both my breasts aggressively, making me feel all his need for me.

“I dream of this,” he muttered against my mouth. “When we’re apart, this is all I dream of.” I cried out in pleasure as his fingers swept into my waiting sex. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I noticed my arm. It was... glowing , but much brighter than I’d dreamt before. I was shimmering. “Shine for me, Alora,” Darce breathed, capturing my lips again as his fingers twisted to brush a special spot inside me, and I started to lose myself.

All I felt and saw was him.

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M Y EYES OPENED GENTLY in the darkness. There was no bolting upright or feeling as if I’d been thrown out of a dream. I was too scared to move my arms that were by my side under my duvet. I didn’t want to know if I was going crazy right now. All I wanted to do was bask in the way Darce had made me feel in that dream. I’d felt cherished, protected, and most importantly... loved .

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I WOKE UP PRETTY RESTED , partly due to not having to set an alarm, and for the relaxing dream I’d had about Darce last night. I’d fallen back asleep before checking if my broken mind had made me glow again. Even if only for one night, I fell back asleep happy. It didn’t matter if it had all been in my head.

Evelyn had left me quite the spread for Thanksgiving. There was no way I’d be able to eat all of this myself. Cooked turkey meat, ready made mashed potatoes, green beans and buttered rolls. She’d even remembered the cranberry sauce. I had to admit, the pumpkin pie looked good.

All I had to do was heat it all up later in the oven. I planned on reading for a little while before I finished painting the dragon eggs I’d made for the midnight release party.

After my shower, I was about to make myself some breakfast when a knock came at the door. I put my hair up into a bun and then looked through the peephole. What the actual fuck? Darce was standing on the other side of the door with a small bag and two coffee cups in his hands.

Firstly, how the hell did he get into this building? The apartment was two floors up and you needed a coded key to get through reception. Secondly, how the hell did he know which apartment I lived in?

I could just hide in here, right? I’m sure Darce would go away. “I can hear your heavy breathing. Open the door, Alora.” Shit! “That is, if you're decent. I only have so much restraint.”

“So, if I took all my clothes off and opened the door, you’d leave?” It was probably my sex dream with him last night that was making me so bold.

“I wouldn’t quite put it that way, but this coffee's getting cold.” I opened the door, giving him my bitchbrow. “Phew! You’re dressed,” he teased, taking me in. “Can I come in?” I’d had a sex dream about this man; I was already in trouble. What harm would it do?

“Only because you have coffee, and that better be food!” I eyed the brown bag suspiciously. “If it’s a murder weapon, you’ll be putting me out of my misery, anyway.”

“Always the ray of sunshine.” Darce took the apartment in as he walked through the door. “This place is nice.”

“Yeah, it works for Evelyn and me.” I couldn’t look at him. All I saw and felt were his hands on me from my dream last night. “You can sit on the chair,” I muttered, pulling my coat off it.

“I got you some bagels.” Darce passed the bag and one of the coffee cups to me. “I wasn't sure what coffee you liked, so I got you a latte.”

“Thanks,” I frowned. “How did you get into the block?”

“Someone let me in who lives here.” Okay, that kind of made sense.

“How did you know which apartment was mine?” Sitting across from him on the sofa, I opened the bag of bagels.

“I asked your stalker, Theo.” Oh! “I don’t think he wanted to tell me, but when I assured him that I was only going to be your friend , he cracked.” We both sat in silence for a moment.

“Darce, why are you here?” The words fell out of my mouth without even thinking. You have this hold over me. I can’t let go. They weren’t Darce’s words, but it didn’t stop me from drowning in him.

“I didn’t like the idea of you spending Thanksgiving alone.”

“But you don’t celebrate it?” This guy was so confusing. “There must be other people you'd rather spend today with?”

“Eat your bagel, Alora. After that, I’ll help you paint the dragon eggs you made for the midnight release event.” Well, today certainly wasn’t turning out how I’d planned.

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I T DIDN’T TAKE LONG with both of us painting the dragon eggs. I’d shown Darce the technique I was using, and hated to admit it, but he was pretty good with a paintbrush.

The eggs were all laid on a plastic sheet, drying. When I looked at the time, I realised we’d been painting for almost five hours.

“It would seem time really does fly when you're having fun,” Darce commented, getting up to wash the paint off his hands.

“You’re certainly good with your hands,” I stupidly said, realising the hidden meaning. “The painting !” I corrected. “I meant the painting. I wouldn’t even know about your hands in regards to anything else.” Oh, God, I was doing one of those awkward ramblings and making it worse. “I’m not saying that you'd be bad with your hands. I’m sure you’re good at finding the right spot.” Thinking about my sex dream right now wasn’t helping!

“You’re really making that statement more awkward than it needs to be.” Darce’s eyes danced with humour. “Are you hungry? I can pop out and get us something? Or if you wanted, we could go out and get food?”

“Actually, I’ve got food here. You’re more than welcome to share it with me. Evelyn went a little over the top.”

“I’d hate to see any food go to waste.”

“I’ll put the oven on. All I need to do is heat it up.” It seemed Darce and I were eating Thanksgiving dinner together.

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T HERE WAS STILL FOOD left once we’d both finished. “I’m not sure how Evelyn thought I’d eat all that by myself,” I mused, looking at the leftover buttered rolls and mashed potatoes.

“Maybe she thought you’d have company.”

“Oh, no, I never have company. Ever .”

“ Ever ?” Darce tilted his head at me. “Are you saying you’ve never...you know.” He thought I was a virgin . Oh, this was classic gold!

“Had sex?” I finished his sentence, giving him the best come to bed eyes I could muster. Judging by the way he shuffled in his seat, it might have worked. “I’ve had sex plenty of times. I just never bring men back here.”

“Why?”

“I don’t enjoy the attachment. I like to fuck and run.”

“How romantic.”

“I don’t want romance , Darce. I get horny and need sex. It’s as simple as that.”

“If that’s the case, why do you read all those fantasy books? Most of them have a love story in them.”

“Books are different. They’re not real life. The love in those books doesn’t exist.”

“That’s a bold statement, Alora.”

“Can you prove me otherwise?” Darce was lost for words. “I’ve been thinking about that living deal you set me.”

“Oh, really?” Darce’s full attention was on me now. “What did you decide?”

“There is this candlelight Orchestra concert downtown in a few weeks and I was wondering if you’d go with me?”

“What about asking Theo?”

“It’s not a date . I want to try your theory of doing things that I enjoy.”

“Okay.” Was that a yes? Wow! I didn’t think it was going to be that easy. “If it’s not a date, I don’t mind doing anything with you.”

“If I go to this concert with you, will you tell me why you don’t like being touched?” Darce gave me a small smile.

“That was the deal, wasn’t it? You start living and I’ll start talking ?” I was definitely getting the better end of this deal. “Let’s get these dishes washed. Aren’t we meant to watch a movie now while eating a slice of pumpkin pie?”

“I hate to admit it, but that sounds fun.”

“Fun? Careful, Alora. That light will come back in your eyes if you’re not careful.” I wanted to slap his arm, but knew I couldn’t. I gave him a scowl instead.

I didn’t realise how late it was when we sat down. It was early evening. Darce and I picked an action film, but my eyes wouldn’t stay open. By the time we were halfway through, I was fighting a losing battle.

“You don’t have to fight it. I can go,” Darce called from the chair. I was wrapped up in a blanket, lying on the sofa.

“No,” I yawned, “I’m not tired.” My eyes were already closing again as I heard his soft chuckle.

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I WAS WEIGHTLESS, FLOATING towards my bedroom. Gently, my back hit the mattress and I felt myself being surrounded by a duvet.

“Rest now,” a voice called. I felt fingertips stroke the side of my face. “I will never allow anything to happen to you.” The softest touch caressed my lips. I willed myself to wake up—to see if this was really happening—but I was too deep in sleep. “I will always keep you safe.”

Lips pressed against my forehead for a split second.

“Sleep, Alora,” the voice commanded.

I obeyed.