Page 99 of The Merciless King

My arms wrap around him, holding him, because I know this is goodbye. I don’t know when, but this is the end. Then again, we were never even meant to have a beginning.

I feel like I stole him.

Stole this time from him and my own time has been borrowed.

Soon we will be living very different lives.

Apart.

“What do you dream? For your life,” he asks me after settling us on the bench and cradling me in his arms.

I let out a sigh and my eyes drift out over the pond. “Happiness. Freedom.”

His fingers press into my body as if he’s scared I’ll slip away.

“Those are good things to wish for.”

“They come with a price,” I say, turning my gaze back to his as I study his beautiful face.

“Everything is a choice, Gia.” Braxton replies, our eyes locked so powerfully I feel like he’s trying to send me words through our invisible connection. “And some prices are worth paying.”

“I wish it was clear. And not such a heavy price.” I lean my head against his shoulder.

Are we talking about the same thing? I’m unsure, but I’m too scared to ask.

Braxton has given me the greatest gift tonight here at my pond. To feel free and loved by a man of my choosing, even if it’s just for an hour.

Even if I never have this again.

At least I loved and lost...I get it now. I finally understand.

An hour later, we drive through the gates, and James is behind us. Braxton is holding my hand and I swear if someone tried to take me from him, he would kill them.

We walk into the house and up the stairs.

We don’t speak as we undress and climb into bed.

Then he holds me all night, kissing my neck, my shoulders, my face.

When I feel him fall asleep, I cry silently.

He never said he loved me back.

I will always wonder if I was imagining how I felt. I don’t want to second guess this magical night.

Braxton asked me about my dreams. I will never have what I want, but I can want this—for him to tell me that he loves me before leaving forever.

I need to know.

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