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A cut ran over my heart, going deep and making me bleed profusely. His hand dropped from my hair while I sat up. “W–We’ve talked about this already. Remember I told you I’d be there every step of the way and-”
“For how long will you need to be there?” It was hard to miss the echo of anguish in his tone.
He released a deep breath, as if bracing himself to say something. “Just an hour ago, I nearly killed one of our own. Again.”
What?
“She brought my meal, and the whole time, I couldn’t stop fantasizing about how good her blood would be on my tongue. I could hear the rush, the pulse, everything. And trust me, Lyric; I was this close to grabbing her and slitting her wrist.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I couldn’t even spend a lot of time with my kids because I was scared I’d hurt them. What if they get to be with me one day and I start fantasizing about feeding on them?”
“That’ll never happen. You love Xylon and Xyla too much to let that happen.”
“Well, I do love them with every fiber of my being, but how can I even trust myself?” He shook his head. “The people do not deserve a monster like me to be King.”
I pulled myself closer until I could place my mass on his shoulders. “This is what Caden wants. Are you really going to give him the satisfaction of winning?
He shook his head. “It isn’t about winning anymore, Lyric. It’s about keeping the people safe.”
“And they will be safe. You beat this before, remember? What makes you think you won’t do it in a shorter time this year?” I slid my hands down from his shoulders to hold his hands. “All you have to do is win the trial while we continue working on the urges. Believe me, you can do this. Remember you showed great improvement over the week.”
My eyes dropped on our hands intertwined. “When we’re together, do you ever feel the urge?”
He shook his head.
“Good. Then, I’ll always be with you.”
“It’s not that easy.” He withdrew his hand from mine. “When I’m with people, I always have problems concentrating. All I can hear and smell is the rush of their blood.”
“Then, think of me when you’re with people.” I reached for his hand again. “Just… imagine me to be them. I’m sure it’ll help.”
His gaze held mine for some seconds, so curious and intent. “What exactly should I think about?”
I chuckled. “I don’t know, my smiles? Voice?”
“What else?” There was a hint of amusement in his eyes, yet he didn’t break a smile. Neither did his eyes leave mine.
“Um… The day we met? No, you’d been pretty arrogant that day. That isn’t a good memory.”
He chuckled.
“How about the day you realized I was beautiful?”
He cocked a brow, like my statement was funny.
tried to release his hands and realized he was now the one holding me.
“How about this?” He asked softly.
I didn’t know what he meant and kept staring into his face.
Then, I saw it. His head descending.
I could’ve looked away.
Forcefully left the bed.
Yet, my whole world seemed to still.
My head wouldn’t move an inch. Until his lips descended on mine.
There was no explaining the current surged through my veins, igniting every nerve with uncontained intensity.
Every heartbeat vanished, surrendering completely as his lips claimed mine with fervor, his hands still holding mine captive.
I knew this wasn’t the first time Jaris was kissing me in the past one week. Yet, everything about this particular kiss
me to stop this while I can.
screamed different. I got alarms going off in my heuccessfully unlocked!
Because this–this very kiss was the kind that led to mistakes and regrets.
Yet, I did anything but try to stop the kiss. I kissed him back, sucking on his tongue when he darted it out to me.
Heat was already pooling in my lower belly, making it difficult to sit still.
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When he pulled apart, breaking the contact between our lips, I wanted to scream.
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