Page 69 of Of Night and Blood: Special Edition

Our horses remained nearby, untethered. I was once again amazed at Henry’s impeccable training. Frost had found a comfortable patch of grass to sleep in, Lucifer not far away, his black eyes scanning the area.

Those two seemed quite cozy.

I did not rule out the possibility that the two were mated. Bellamy would give me his steed’s mate only to later suggest it was fate. Stupid demon.

I walked around the sleeping animals, careful not to scare them. Lucifer watched me, tracking as I walked away. Promising myself I would not be reckless by straying too far, my feet pressed on for only a bit longer. When I felt satisfied with my distance from the camp, I collapsed onto the dewy grass near the edge of a cliff. The view was astonishing, but I resisted the urge to explore more, instead lying back all the way.

Basking in the light, I let my arms and legs spread wide. It felt like I was being cleansed—made new. I was far more comfortable than I had any reason to be. Exposed and exhausted, I risked my safety doing this. But I had fought so hard not to be still these last few weeks, and I craved that serenity.

So I laid there, breathing in the smell of flowers and autumn. I felt the cold seep through my clothes, welcomed it even. When my eyelids grew heavy, I allowed them to close. Perhaps I needed to see what would haunt me.

The thoughts that broke free terrorized me, and I let them.

Weak, they pushed. True, I conceded.

Worthless, they said. Yes, I agreed.

On and on images of every soul I shattered, every brain I manipulated, every light I snuffed out flashed before me. I relived every gentle hug from Mia, every proud smile from Xavier. Then the words of the afriktor echoed.

Such a silly, pathetic being you are. So trusting. So naïve.

I was all of those things and more.

End it. The voices of the fallen urged. Yes, the world would be far better that way.

I saw the cliff’s edge again, and this time I walked over to the very cusp of it, ready to jump.

Sterling’s charming face appeared next to me. He was living gold, the embodiment of fae royalty in a mortal body.

“Asher, beautiful Asher. Please do not leave me again. Who else will love you if not me?” he asked in a sultry voice. For some reason, I was tempted to take his outstretched hand. To submit to a lifetime of torture.

But I hesitated when a familiar voice sounded from the other side of me. It was a husky rasp, one that held love and fear and strength. Sterling scowled at the looming presence, trying to snatch my hand.

I pulled away, my back hitting Bellamy’s chest. He wrapped his arms around me, holding on tightly.

Too tightly. He was crushing me against him, leaning down to kiss my disfigured ear. A voice came that was not his, but the afriktor’s once more.

Even worse, the prince at your side hides much from you. A liar, a murderer, a vengeful soul he is.

Bellamy spun me around, his black flames burning my arms. I cried out in agony, but The Elemental merely laughed, as if he enjoyed my pain. The icy blue eyes I had come to know so well slowly became overrun by black shadows. He pushed, causing me to lose my balance.

I toppled over the edge, a scream ripping its way up my throat. My hands flew out, trying to gain purchase on something, anything.

Sweaty, desperate fingers met cold, calm ones. Bellamy was there, holding onto me, his grin wide. He tugged me up as if I were weightless, bringing me into his arms. I hugged him back, thankful that the one who had nearly killed me, saved me. Was that not how I had always been?

“You are a fool, Princess.” The voice was different, the embodiment of death, ice cold and disorienting. “Though, it seems to run in the family.”

Bellamy’s words ended with a heated kiss, his tongue slipping into my mouth. Instincts failed me, because instead of pushing away, I pulled him closer. Relishing in the feel of him, I did not notice the pull between my breasts until it was too late.

He sunk his hand into my chest, ripping straight through skin and muscle, grabbing hold of my heart. His grip was excruciating, screams escaping my mouth in torment.

“Consider this a final warning, for I will not give another. You are doomed to a lifetime of loneliness. Any who you allow into your heart will surely betray you. The prince will sooner cut your head from your neck than love you. Guard this heart of yours before someone much hungrier feasts on it.”

When Bellamy pulled away, it was no longer the demon prince at all, but rather a different fae of sorts. The creature had ears that came to a sharp point, though they slanted outwards instead of up. Its skin was so pale it seemed almost translucent, revealing a blue blush. Purple hair that was nearly black fell down its back, a shiny sleet of silk. Its eyes were white and narrowed, as if assessing me. High cheekbones and a chiseled jaw made the thing hauntingly beautiful, which only added to the horror of it. The black robes adorning its body blew in a phantom breeze, and its smile revealed teeth that were too white.

“Sleep well, Asher, we shall meet again.”

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