Page 18 of One Last Wish (The Elder World)

“Y ou want me!” I breathed inches from his mouth. Somehow, I had pinned Darce to the ground and was straddling his waist.

“You really think too highly of yourself, Alora.”

“You are denying it? I see the way you watch me.”

“I gaze at you as I would any other female that decided to wear these small scraps of material while I was training her. Do you not have fighting leathers? Although, I am impressed you finally toppled me to the floor.” I pushed at his chest, moaning at how solid he felt under my hands. “You let your frustration control you. When you are in combat, you have to let all that go. It can get you killed.” Darce talked of fighting and battles as if he’d been in them all his life, but he looked so young.

“How old are you?”

“You mean how many battles have I fought in?” I nodded, looking down at him.

“I’m over three thousand years old.”

“You’re twice my age!” I gasped, moving off him. “You look so... young .”

“Holy Ether, were you not educated about my kind at all? You and I may be a different race, but we look and age the same!”

“I was taught all I needed to know about your race!”

“And what was that?” Darce mused, getting up and dusting his black leathers off.

“That Dylin are superior beings to you.”

“A Dylin would say that.” He chuckled darkly. “You know nothing of my kind, Alora. Nothing .”

“Let’s leave it that way, too!”

We glared at each other for a few short moments, both our chests rising quickly from exasperation towards each other. I hated this male, yet my body was beginning to burn for him. “Did you come to train or argue with me?”

“Train!” I spat, getting into my stance again and ready to make my move.

These dreams were getting stranger. They were unlike any book I’d read, yet still felt familiar. Almost like a memory. At least I wasn’t waking with glowing hands any more. I didn’t mind these kinds of dreams if my mind was calm.

By lunchtime, I was still resting in bed. Evelyn hadn’t come back from Danny’s yet and it was nice having the apartment to myself. I made some toast, trying not to look at the front door where Darce had gone down on me last night.

He’d really let his guard down. That dress had done its job perfectly! I glanced at my phone longingly. I knew Darce had told me that we would talk tomorrow, but I couldn’t get him out of my head. One teasing message wasn’t going to do any harm.

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I ’VE COME TO A DECISION this morning. Your tongue is just as good as your fingers. ;)

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T HERE, A PLAYFUL, MEANINGLESS text. With his ego, Darce was bound to reply to that!

Hours passed, and when there was no response, paranoia began to set in. What if he was with Nyx? She might have seen my message. Shit! What had I done? He told me that we would talk on Monday. When was I ever going to learn?

“How did it go with Charlie?” Evelyn asked later that night when she finally arrived back from Danny’s.

“Umm...not great. I had to knee him in the balls when he took me to the alley.”

“WHAT?! Why?”

“He wouldn’t stop when I asked him to.”

“Charlie what? The son of a fucking bitch! I’ll kill him!” Evelyn was irate. Her eyes were almost as furious as Darce’s had been last night. “Why didn’t you come and get me? Did you walk home alone? I gave you space today thinking you might have brought Charlie back here. Shit! Alora, I’m sorry. This is my fault.”

“Darce...he kind of walked me home.”

“He came back to the club?” She frowned. “When?”

“He never left, apparently.”

“Bullshit! I saw him leave with Ned and Daisy.” I’d been too busy making out with Charlie at that point to notice. “Darce must have been watching you! What happened when you got back here?” I was blushing. “Fuck! Did you...did something happen with Darce ?”

“We kissed and fumbled around a little.”

“What does fumbling around mean?” she squealed, excited. “I need details !”

“He went down on me against the back of that door.” I bit my lip as Evelyn stared blankly at me, and squeezed my legs together at the memory of Darce between them.

“Holy. Fucking. Shit! Finally! ”

“I messaged him today and didn’t get a reply, though. Don’t get too excited,” I scoffed. It didn’t stop her clapping her hands and rushing to the fridge to pour us both a glass of white wine. I wasn’t allowed to go back to bed until I’d told her everything that had happened in great detail.

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I SLEPT THROUGH THE night without any dreams for once. My body must have been too exhausted to make any up.

While showering in the morning, my mind was reeling about the message I’d sent to Darce yesterday. He hadn’t replied, which meant it had probably annoyed him. His mood could go either way when I saw him later.

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T HEO WAS WAITING OUTSIDE Bookends, rubbing his hands together as I approached work. The air smelt like it might snow today. I’d been lost listening to my music and arrived sooner than I realised.

“Hey, Alora!” Theo beamed, overly excited. “How was the rest of your night on Saturday? Darce told me he walked you home. I honestly thought you would have gone back with that guy on the dance floor, but Darce assured me that you were probably trying to make me jealous.” I don’t know what I was more irate about: the fact Darce had messaged Theo but not me , or the fact that he had fed Theo a load of bullshit!

“Theo, I was drunk . Don’t listen to everything Darce says. He doesn't know me as well as he thinks he does. It’s only been a little over a month !” Sighing, I began to put the door code in.

“Are you sure about that?” Darce’s voice from behind made me jump, making me put the wrong code on the door.

“Jackass!” I seethed.

“Don’t listen to her, Theo. Alora knows how well I know her.”

“Can you go one minute without infuriating me, Darce?” I challenged, putting the right code in this time. Darce leaned in, closing the distance between us. He produced a key and unlocked the door. “When did Malcolm make you a key holder?”

“Friday. He gave me all the codes, too,” he breathed, looking down at my lips. “You love it when I infuriate you, by the way.”

“Don’t make me punch you.” Darce chuckled and walked off to turn the lights on.

“We’re still okay for our date on Thursday, right?” Theo interrupted whatever was going on between Darce and me.

“Oh...I...” My eyes searched for Darce. I had no idea what was going on right now.

“Of course she is, Theo,” I heard Darce call from behind a bookshelf. “Alora can’t wait, can you?” He appeared from around the shelf, giving me a smug smile. What was this asshole playing at?

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T HE BOOKSTORE WAS REALLY busy. It was just over a week until Christmas and everyone was getting their last minute gifts. With the store being busy, it meant I didn’t get a chance to talk to Darce about what had happened on Saturday night yet.

“Which series would you suggest for my teenage daughter?” a middle-aged female customer asked me while I’d gone upstairs in search of Darce. “ The Dark Nexus or Salvation ?”

“Well, Salvation is an epic fantasy with all kinds of magic. You’ve got witches, wizards, fae, other magical creatures and humans. The Dark Nexus is a vampire coven love story. It gets a little dark,” I muttered, noticing Darce at the end of the aisle, stacking some new books onto the shelves. “Do you know what your daughter would prefer more?”

“Probably the epic fantasy, but she does have a thing for vampires.”

“How about you get a gift receipt for them both, and I’ll give you my staff discount code so you save thirty percent?” I was being nice in order to get rid of the woman.

“Oh, how wonderful! Yes, that’s a great idea.”

“You take these two books to the cashier and tell them Alora is letting you use her discount code.”

“Thank you. Merry Christmas!” the customer beamed, making her way downstairs.

When I looked down the end of the aisle, Darce had disappeared. Was this all a game to him? I walked under the skylight and looked up. It was starting to snow, and gathering on the corners of the skylight. It would be a magical walk home later. With a sigh, I stepped past the intricately carved, wooden pillars. Just before I descended the stairs, hands encircled my waist and pulled me into one of the hidden nooks.

Darce pinned his body against mine, trapping my arms behind my back. With one hand, he stroked the side of my face. I wanted to yell in protest, but he was touching me. When he ran his thumb across my lips, they parted slightly.

“Are you going to kiss me or not?” I panted, watching him study my face for the longest moment.

“I shouldn’t,” he whispered, but was already lowering his head towards me. His lips were gentle against mine at first. His hand cupped my chin, tilting my face up to his so he could claim more of my mouth. When I gasped, sweeping my tongue to meet his, Darce let out a low groan. He deepened the kiss as his body pushed harder against mine, until I could feel him against me. Oh, sweet mercy! Darce craved me the way I wanted him. “You need to make me stop,” he groaned, his lips moving down my neck. “Please. Make me stop.”

“I...I can’t...” I yearned. “It feels too good!”

“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the taste of you on my tongue.” He was licking slowly down my neck as he spoke. “Or the vision of your body arching towards me when I hit that sweet spot inside you.”

“Why did you leave then?” His hand was under my work shirt, making small circles across my stomach.

“I can’t get lost in you, Alora. Not yet.”

“ Not yet ?” Now seemed like a damn good time to me.

“Someone is coming,” he whispered against my ear, freeing me from his hold. A customer walked past, smiling sweetly at us. How the hell did he know someone was coming when he had his back to everything?

“How did you...”

“You need to go on the date with Theo on Thursday,” Darce interrupted, looking up at the skylight.

“Like fuck I do!”

“For once, can you do as you’re asked?” Pinching the bridge of his nose, Darce looked back at me. Worry lines appeared on that beautiful face of his. “If I told you it might be the only way to keep you safe, would you believe me?”

“Is this about Nyx?”

“ Nyx ?” Darce looked perplexed. “Why would you think any of this has anything to do with her?”

“Look, I don’t know if the two of you have some unfinished business, but she is clearly the girl you’re hung up over. If I’m confusing you, be honest with me. Don’t drag Theo into all of this. We know the guy likes me, and as much as his stalker ass annoys me, I don’t want to intentionally hurt him.”

“You think Nyx and I...?” His eyes were wide and he couldn't finish his question. Darce was thoughtful for a few moments. “Go on the date to humour me.”

“Why?”

“I’m a dangerous bet, Alora. I’ve told you this before.”

“Yes! Yes! So you keep telling me! If I go on this one date, will you shut up about it so we can finally talk about this ?” I pointed between the two of us. “I don’t chase men, Darce, but you are driving me insane!”

His eyes looked sad. “Yes, Alora. After your date with Theo, if you want to talk to me about us , I’ll answer any questions you have.”

“I have no idea why this damn date is so important to you, but fine! You have a deal.” I held my hand out to shake on it, but he surprised me again by pressing his lips quickly, but softly, against mine.

“It’s for the best,” he whispered against my mouth before moving away from the hidden nook area.

My mind felt like there was a whirlwind inside. I couldn’t keep up.

What was Darce’s deal with this date?