Page 137 of Possess Me at Midnight

Let go of the past? I close my eyes. I sank every bit of regret into the past, giving little thought to the future, to any happiness. Until Sabelle. From the moment I saw her, she was a fever in my blood. She’s my one reason to look forward.

I collapse back into the chair, dropping my head into my hands. She kneels before me, wrapping her hands around mine.

I clutch her delicate fingers like a lifeline, feeling her warmth and vitality. She’s so real. So beautiful, inside and out. And I’ve been clinging to ghosts for so damn long…

“You didn’t fail, Ice. Your father did.”

My head snaps up.

She squeezes my hands. “He didn’t treasure the daughter who was his to protect and love. He never knew her or the joy she could bring because he refused to see. Instead, he used her to purge you of all caring, to make you the strongest warrior possible. He never understood that it was your heart that gives you amazing strength. Your love for Gailene pushed you today to battle a wizard who, by all rights, should have killed you. Your devotion to her infused you with power and prowess. And you won not because you were full of hate, but because you’re full of love.

“Gailene is with you here.” She touches my chest.

I damn near crumble. My love for her swells until I think I might implode. She ripped away my protective armor, and I stand bleeding, raw…completely exposed for Sabelle to see.

She isn’t running away. Isn’t ashamed.

“I’m there, too,” she whispers. “Just as you’re in my heart. I need you. I need your care, your valor, your devotion. You’ve given it to me, and I won’t live without it. You found strength and fortitude in your love for Gailene. We can build a stronger bond together that supports us both. One that enables you to execute the Doomsday Brethren’s new directive and still allows you peace without giving up your future or your soul.”

Total acceptance. It’s there in her shining blue eyes. Sabelle doesn’t care if I’m Deprived or allegedly insane, have a temper, am haunted by ghosts, or know next to nothing about how to love her. Somehow, she’s seen deep inside me…and she loves me with her whole heart.

I can’t imagine loving her more than I do in this moment.

“If you could change the past, would you Call to me again?” Her lips tremble with suppressed tears.

She’s afraid. My courageous, amazing witch is frightened, not of the fact Mathias got away, but of my rejection. Of me.

The realization tears down the last of my resistance. I could walk away if I alone would bear the pain, but to purposely wound Sabelle? I would lay down my own life first.

“I would,” I assure her. “Without hesitation.”

“You’re certain?” She sniffles.

I can assure her again or simply prove what is in my heart. An easy choice. I never want Sabelle to have doubts that I love her. And I know Gailene would not only approve of my happiness but applaud it. Another day—soon—I will resume my quest to kill Mathias—not out of hatred, but love. To ensure no brother ever has to lose his sister in such a savage fashion or suffer such untold grief again.

I cradle Sabelle’s face in my hands and smile into her teary eyes. “Become a part of me, as I become a part of you. And ever after, I promise myself to thee. Each day we share, I shall be honest, good, and true. If this you seek, heed my Call. From this moment on, there is no other for me but you.”

The ancient words pour from my soul, carrying two centuries of longing, pain, and hope. I finish the vow with a soft kiss, one tinged with love and forever.

Sabelle eases away. “You won’t interrupt me this time, I hope.”

This is one of the most emotional moments of my life, yet this beautiful witch makes me smile. “I would cut out my own tongue first.”

She beams at me as she stares into my eyes, and I swear I can see my forever.

“As I become a part of you, you become a part of me. I will be honest, good, and true. I heed your Call. ‘Tis you I seek.” She brushes her lips across mine, putting all her devotion into the kiss. “From this moment on, there is no other for me but you.”