Page 91 of Of Night and Blood: Special Edition

“My sweet Asher, you look wonderful this evening.” Sipho sat down, pulling his hood back, our arms and thighs touching.

The lake in front of us was as black as the night, the grass below us cool. I wondered what he saw when he looked at the world around us. Did he too feel the unsettling calm of the dim light? The discomfort of the darkness?

His hand moved to my thigh, and I smirked at his infatuation. The male was not led by desire like the rest of the males in Academy. No, curiosity was his god. The slight sting of his power pulsed in my leg, and I could not help but peek in his mind as he worked.

Power radiated through him and into me, his thoughts racing through my healthy prognoses and searching for more. Where did my power come from? What limits existed? Why did I have it?

I laughed when nothing came up from his short assessment. He smiled back, not fazed by the failure, as usual. I feared he might be more upset if he did discover an answer to his questions. One less thing to obsess over.

“So disquisitive,” I murmured with a giggle.

At that, the male leaned over, placing a soft kiss to my lips. Everything about Sipho was wonderful, from his soft skin to his honey eyes to the perfect mess of his curly hair. I loved him. More than I had ever loved anything. He was the force that held me to the ground, to reality.

He had told me many times before that he loved me as well, though I knew he also feared me. In fact, his thoughts and inner turmoil told me that his terror outweighed his adoration for me. I did not mind though. I imagined I would always be feared, but at least he would also cherish me.

“One day, I will discover more about your power, and I believe it will help you. We all have a destiny, Asher, you more than any of us. Perhaps I will stand by your side as you follow it,” he whispered against my lips.

I smiled into the kiss, loving the way he inspired that hope which always seemed to find a way to evade me. Sipho believed I had a purpose even when I did not. No one else had ever made me feel worthy like he did. No amount of fear had kept him from me. Not the chance that our relationship could end in severe punishment, or even the possibility that I could hurt him with my strange and confusing power.

He was no Tomorrow, and neither was I. The future was not ours to see, especially since we could not tell Nicola or any Reader of our relationship. Still, we made promises of a lifetime together, and I knew he was being honest when he said it all. He truly believed we would be together until our last breath.

“You will always have a place at my side, Sipho. Now and forever.”

He broke the kiss, leaning back to look into my eyes. I felt the devotion then, his mind unknowingly projecting the emotion towards me. It was strong, feverish. I stared back, baffled at the turn his thoughts had taken. Though, mine had done the same, to be fair.

“I might not be worthy of being king, or even standing next to you, but I would follow you to the end. No matter what, Ash. I love you.”

We slowly stood, making our way to the wooded area on this side of the lake. There we made love, and through the night, Sipho held me, his fingers massaging my head and playing with my hair.

He whispered of theories and hopes and his love. We imagined a world in which we could be together openly. We talked of our future younglings, what they would look like and what power they would possess. We argued over names and both agreed that we would continue the conversation when the time came. We pictured a small cottage out on Isle Healer, one where Sipho could own a farm and I could read under the sun, leaving my title far behind.

He promised me forever, and in turn I promised it back.

Forever was so very short.

Chapter Fifty

Iawoke the next morning to red hair and a face of freckles.

“Do none of you heinous Trusted understand the concept of personal space?” I asked, hissing the words at him.

Henry lay next to me, Bellamy nowhere to be found. His smile was teasing, eager to make comments. I groaned, not ready to deal with him so early, but knowing I would be unable to fight him off for long.

“What first, pumpkin, the size of his cock or how long he lasted?” I asked.

Henry’s eyes widened a fraction, green irises shining in the daylight that seeped through the tent opening. Then he burst into laughter, rolling onto his back and clutching his stomach.

I smiled, though the fatigue of the burnout, the sex, and the emotional wreckage of the days prior weighed heavily on me. One thing was true above all others—wit could get me past the worst of it. That and some food. My stomach grumbled loudly, as if my thoughts had reminded it of that hunger.

“How about we get you fed and you can tell me all the dirty details?” he asked as he hauled himself up, face full of eagerness. I rolled my eyes, but gladly took the hand he offered. When I was on my feet, he pulled me against his chest, a coy smile forming. “Or perhaps you can show me.”

Scoffing at his pitiful excuse for humor, I batted the Sun away. He chuckled, maintaining his grip on my hand as he attempted to pull us through the tent opening. I reared back, tugging my hand from his hold. Surprise left him momentarily still, then he realized what I was doing.

“Must you get fully dressed first? There is no need for this shy modesty, not when you look like you do. Plus, I think breakfast might be far more enjoyable with you in only Bell’s top. Watching him get worked up is like free entertainment,” Henry said, shrugging.

I eyed him as I grabbed my trousers from last night, dirty and wrinkled and buttonless, but the best I could do other than listen to the carrot top and eat breakfast nearly nude. He watched me, all the while that stupid smirk still graced his freckled face. My head hurt, my stomach groaned, and my core tightened at the very thought of the demon prince.

Eternity save me from what I had awakened in myself.

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