Page 91 of The Masked Fae (Royal Fae of Rose Briar Woods 1)

“Is it always here?” I ask nervously, gesturing to the golden cord with my free hand.

“It is.”

“So, it’s not an illusion that you created for Mrs. Fletcher?”

He shakes his head.

“Can you…manipulate it?”

Brahm’s dark eyes are on me, his expression giving away nothing. He steps forward, pulling the cord as he walks, shortening the length, drawing me toward him.

I stumble as my knees grow wobbly. I feel like a newborn sheep on a lead, clumsy and suddenly unsure.

Too soon, we’re standing face-to-face, close enough I could touch him.

Close enough he could touch me.

I pretend I’m not affected by this nearness. Unfortunately, my mind travels to the last time we kissed, the way he held me and made me feel wanted.

I’ve told myself to forget it, that we cannot be that to each other anymore. I thought I was the only one truly struggling, but the look in Brahm’s eyes says otherwise.

We study each other, neither daring to voice our thoughts aloud.

“You’re making this very difficult,” he finally murmurs.

My pulse quickens. “What?”

He takes another step forward, putting us so close I have to look up to see his face. “You keep looking at me like you still want me.”

“I’m not sure I can stop.”

“Alice,” he says raggedly.

My eyes drop to his chest. Hesitantly, I touch my fingers to his skin, emboldened by the way his muscles tighten under my touch.

“You’re beautiful,” I murmur, the words oddly regretful.

He groans softly, his hand raising and then pausing mid-air as if he can’t decide whether to take hold of me or nudge me away.

“I don’t think I can live like this,” I say quietly, drawing my hand back. “Living with you, belonging to you, but never able to touch you…” I shake my head.

Brahm’s chest moves with his quickened breath.

“It’s too cruel.” I turn to walk into my room, desperately grateful that he loosens the tether and lets me go.