Charm (Crave #5)

by Tracy Wolff

And finally, there’s another string I can’t pull my gaze from in this tangle of connections. It’s a bright, electric blue, and it’s gossamer thin, but it is very definitely there. And it’s glowing ever so slightly. And somehow I know, even before I reach out a fingertip to touch it, that it connects to me.

As I hold her, I note several things. One, she fits surprisingly well in my arms. Two, she smells really good—like vanilla and cinnamon. And three, I kind of like holding her.

Because the thin string I instinctively know connects me to Grace has quadrupled in size since yesterday…and it’s now glowing the most brilliant blue I have ever seen.

“You don’t have to do that. I already told you, I’m fine, Grace.” “I know I don’t have to do anything,” she answers. “I’m just saying that if you need to feed, I’m here for you.”

I don’t give a shit about any of those people. Not when their lives are weighed against Grace’s. I’ve lost everyone I’ve ever cared about in my life. No way am I losing her, too. Not here. And not to that fucking piece-of-shit dragon.

I remember my mom once telling me one of the reasons she loved my dad was that he put up with her snoring. She was joking, of course, but I get it now. How truly special is it to find someone who just accepts you exactly as you are. Maybe even loves you because of all those little things you try to keep hidden from others.

“They’re like my own little universe right here on your skin. A tiny piece of you that only I get to touch and kiss and appreciate.”

both her voice and the look on her face make it feel like she wants to go another round. With everything. Which isn’t exactly a hardship on my part when wanting Grace is like breathing. Natural, instinctive, and impossible to do without.

“Grace is my mate because she chose me. I still can’t believe whatever miracle made me the luckiest guy in the world, but before her, I was lost. I was alone and in pain and I can’t ever go back to a time when I do not remember what it feels like to love her with my very soul. And I know if I somehow survive alone…no world will be safe. If I allow the pain of her death to destroy the love in my soul for her—”

But since it comes with his help, I’ll take it. I’ll take anything that means I have a chance to keep Grace in my heart forever.

“A Shadow Promise is the strongest of all shadow magic, an unbreakable promise one person makes to another. There’s no going back on it, no undoing it if you suddenly decide you’ve made a mistake. It’s forever.” “That’s exactly what I want,” I say, and honestly, it is. “I want Grace to know that I will always love her—and I want my soul to remember it.”

“I don’t know much about love, Grace. But you’ve taught me that real love isn’t about finding someone who makes you happy. It’s about finding your own happiness and then sharing that with the person you love. You will always be my light out of the darkness, but not because it’s your job to make me happy. Because you light the path I can follow to find my own happiness. And I want to always see that path, let it lead me back to you. Always.”

I love you with a love that shall not die, until the sun grows cold and the stars grow old.’”

Love isn’t always easy. And it isn’t always pretty. Sometimes it’s messy and painful and completely fucked up. But maybe that’s okay. Maybe love doesn’t have to be perfect. Maybe it just has to be real.

“Telling you that I love you, Hudson. The good parts and the bad. The parts you hide away because you don’t think anyone will ever love you if they know about them. I see those parts and I love you anyway. More, I love you because of them. And because of your good points. And because of all the things in between. “I love you because you can pull a dozen birdcalls out of your ass at a moment’s notice. I love you because you let me sometimes cry and drip snot all over you and never complain even when you’re completely grossed out. I love you because you’ve always got my back and I love you because you let me have yours. “I love you, Hudson Vega.”

“‘Till the sun grows cold and the stars grow old,’”