Page 112 of The Curse of Redwood

“Save some for the others,” Zeke said, as William grabbed two more from the box.

Giggling, William ran away, shoving the donuts into his mouth as he went.

“Why does he still call me sir?” I asked, playfully glaring at the ghost child as he sat on the staircase steps and stuck his tongue out at me. “I think he’s only called me Carter like once.”

“It’s a show of respect,” Zeke said, chuckling.

“Yeah, I feel respected all right.”

Rose took a cheery turnover and thanked us sweetly before joining her brother on the stairs. Once the other children had their sweets, Zeke slipped his hand into mine and headed toward a corridor to the right.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

It didn’t take long for me to recognize the scenery. The parlor we passed had been where we’d sat and talked a lot in the beginning before having a heavy make out session on the couch—one of our very first ones. I had run up and down the corridor with William during our games; sometimes it was hide and seek, other times tag.

We passed by an open study, and I remembered Zeke pushing me up against the wall and kissing me so hard I forgot how to breathe. The memories came back to me in a steady stream, and my eyes began to sting.

How many more memories would I have in the mansion? Even if I survived the night, there was no guarantee I’d be able to return. The rich guy with the piss-pour attitude had been set in his decision to buy Redwood. If he did, I couldn’t sneak in anymore.

One way or another, I would lose Zeke.

And then we walked into the sunroom.

Stars danced above us through the glass walls instead of sunlight, though it was just as breathtaking at night. Maybe even more so. The moon brightened the room, shining on the chaise lounge and casting a silvery glow. It looked like an enchanted room from a fairytale.

“Why did you bring me here?” I asked, focusing on him.

He stepped closer, sliding a hand down my side. The other, he placed at the base of my neck, his fingers over my pulse point. Moonlight reflected in his blue eyes as he regarded me with a soft, tender look.

“Today, I have felt alive again,” Zeke said. The same softness in his eyes reflected in his voice. There was another emotion too, one that had him holding me tighter. “Being with you made me forget what I am, if only for one day. And it is a day I will forever cherish, just as I will always cherish you.”

I tried to say something, but a whimper came out instead as I realized what he was doing.

He was saying goodbye.

“Why are you saying this?” I asked, as a surge of anger swelled in my chest. “I thought you couldn’t accept something bad happening to me, and here you are saying your goodbyes.” I shoved him back a step. “Well, I don’t accept your goodbye, Ezekiel! How can you give up on me and—”

“You mistake my meaning,” he said, and his voice cracked on the last word. “It is not you who will leave.”

My anger trickled away as I searched his face. A face that began to blur as tears welled in my eyes. “The curse will be lifted if Philip is banished, won’t it?”

“I believe so, yes. His rage is what started it. Once he’s gone, the tear he created in the world should be righted once more.” In a single stride, he closed the gap between us again and took my face in his hands. “You have come to this conclusion too, have you not? It’s why you asked me this morning if I wanted to move on.”

“I thought it was a possibility,” I said, feeling my heart wither a little. “But I didn’t want to fully believe it. You said you couldn’t lose me, and that’s how I feel about you too.”

“You’re young.” He moved my bangs aside, his touch tender and warm. “You’ll find love again.”

“That’s not fair. Age has nothing to do with it.” I pressed up against him and buried my face in his neck. “I could live for centuries and still feel the way I do right now.”

He kissed my hair and slowly rocked us from side to side. Then, his hand slid into mine, and he spun me away from him before drawing me back in.

“What are you doing?” I asked, smiling at him despite the breaking in my heart. This ridiculous, charming man meant more to me than anything in this world.

“Dancing with you under the moonlight.” He twirled us around the sunroom, stepping in and out of the streams of silver light. “Shall we stop?”

“No.” I let him lead in the dance, not taking my eyes off his face. My heart cracked as he smiled, and as we spun in a circle, I held on tighter. “I never want to stop.”