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To those who feel forgotten and betrayed. To the lonely hearts who feel love will never find them. To the broken souls who believe they can’t be mended.
Fate isn’t always kind.
She’d understood that at a young age.
was a precious thing, no matter who it belonged to.
He’d stand by her no matter what darkness might have burrowed its way into her kind heart. Even if she returned broken, he’d stay by her side, waiting and watching and hoping for her to be whole again.
For some reason, Rion wanted to erase the emptiness in those eyes. He wanted to make them shine. He wanted to know what they might look like if—
He hadn’t craved touch since he was a teenager and he’d taught himself to hate it. Because with touch came trust and with trust, betrayal. He’d never forget their sweet lies.
His lips parted as she picked one up, speaking to it in hushed tones, and for the first time in his existence, Rion found himself believing in fairytales.
“You didn’t run,” he whispered,
“I figured I wouldn’t get far.” She hoped he could smell the lie.
She hadn’t wanted to leave. The very thought hurt so much her heart ached. And she couldn’t understand why.
I’d rather live without ties than suffer with broken ones.”
“No,” she whispered. “The real suffering begins when we crave those ties but can’t attain them.”
“Because no one can be trusted.”
“Maybe, but isn’t it worth the risk?”
“To hurt?”
“To love.”
“You? You think you could be the one to love the monster?”
“You’re not a monster.”
“Then what would you call me?”
“Lonely,” she whispered.
“You’d betray me. They all do.”
“I wouldn’t. I won’t.”
“How can I be sure of that?”
“You just have to trust me.”
He let out a breath, showering her in his scent. “You ask the one thing I find impossible.” His eyes remained locked with hers. Hungry. Full of desire. “But I can try.”
“The Divine and the Cursed. How fitting.”
He stepped back and started toward the cabin, glancing behind to see if she’d follow. She did, her entire body flushed from their brief, yet intense encounter. Arianna couldn’t help but smile. Rion. The general of Brónach’s army. Her greatest enemy and the most feared warrior in Alastríona had just kissed her.
She wanted to live long enough to see it. She wanted to witness the day Rion let someone in. Arianna wanted to be the one to teach him he could rely on others. Trust them even.
He clenched his fists. Someone had taken her from him. Someone had taken his Arianna. And he’d ensure their suffering rivaled his own.
“I’d never do that to you.” Her heart clenched at the pain in his voice. “I’d never hurt you.”
I need to know if I do things that upset you. I need you to tell me.”
“Because that’s all I have to go on.”
And he’d never leave again. To hell with the war. To hell with his country. The only thing he needed was sleeping right beside him.
“Are you afraid?” She kept her voice soft.
“No.”
then he whispered, “I’m t...
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“Why?”
“Because you can hurt me in ways I’ve never been hurt. Without lifting a finger, you could shatter me completely.”
“Before you make any decisions, I need you to know that I’d give you anything, Arianna. No questions asked. If you want to go home, I’ll take you. If you want me to leave, I’ll go.” He took a shuddering breath. “If you want my life, it’s yours.”
“I want you to stay.”
“I just want to keep pretending this is real,” he whispered.
“I will never hurt you,” she said.
“Just make it quick if you do.”
Arianna didn’t know what her future would hold. She didn’t know how hard it would be to keep Rion in her life, but she knew one thing with utmost certainty. No matter what challenges they’d have to face, she wanted this male at her side.
“I want you.”
“I don’t want to look back and regret never knowing what it felt like to love you. So yes, Rion. I want this. I want you.”
And in that moment, Arianna made a vow. She swore she’d never let Rion feel alone again. Not so long as she lived. Because he was hers to protect now and she was his.
“You’re not real.” Her brow creased. “You’re an ethereal dream come to torment me, granting every wish only to strip them away when I’m content. You’re the beautiful wave before it crashes over the shore, dragging everything out to an icy sea.” His voice lowered. “You’re my salvation and my damnation.”
How did one mend when the remedy for their soul lay beyond reach?
