Page 40 of Scars and Burns

He clears his throat to finally speak. “So you are of mixed blood. Your Mother has been alive all this time. Deceived by your Father. Giving you the motivation to finally overpower him. Your Father who has tortured you all your life. That is where your burns come from?” He pauses.

I nod my head. Confirming what he is saying.

Taking in a deep breath, he continues, “You now have a complete Goddess mark, identical to Lady Dinalia’s. And you say there is something there between the two of you?”

I nod again. Unsure of how much I actually want to discuss what is between us.

“She is your mate. Fated by the Goddess.”

I scuff at him. “Mate? Not possible.”

“Didn’t your Mother and Queen Freya say you would be the light in another’s life one day? What if it’s her, Lady Dinalia? You did say there was always something about her that intrigued you. That is why you let her live. And now you say there is a pull between the two of you. Not to mention you bear identical Goddess marks.”

“A pull to her. I have no way of knowing if she feels something for me. No way of revealing what is between us. Besides, I am darkness and death. How could she ever feel anything but fear for me? How could I be the light in her life?” My voice begins to rise. I can’t deny my want for her. My need for her. I’ve never wanted another woman this way.

They are in abundance for me. All fun and games. Pleasure to behad. Stress to be relieved.

But her.

Dinalia. She has my mind racing. My heart pounding. Something inside of me is drawn to something inside of her.

Rage?

Darkness?

I don’t know.

Her wild flower scent is seared into my mind. Her eyes haunt me every time I close my own. I remember the way her petite frame fit underneath mine. Her body is small and toned, but still strong. Unlike all the other soft pliable bodies I’ve had before.

My dick twitches and begins to grow as I imagine her body pinned against mine. I adjust myself. My dick beginning to strain against my pants. Strategically pushing it down with my hand and covering it.

Aemond, looks me up and down. Not missing these actions. “You want her.”

“I’m not going to deny that. She is a beautiful young lady. But that does not mean she is my mate.”

“Young lady?” His tone of voice raises, “Since when do you hold the woman of the Middle Kingdom in such high regard?”

I give him a warring look. “I’ve always given women the respect and admiration they deserve.”

He hums, “That may be. You’ve always restrained your blade to them. You’ve never raped or groped any of them as the other men of your Father’s realm do. They’ve always come willing to you. And how could they not. Your physique intrigues them and your size… in more ways than one… is always satisfying to them.”

We share a laugh. It’s true.

He continues, “But for all the women you have had. There has never been one that you’ve continued to think about in your leisure time. Not a single one that you have longed for. None that have ever hadyou restraining yourself… like this.” He motions toward me. Giving me another up and down glance.

I give him a glaring look, “Doesn’t mean she’s my mate. Simply means she is the first woman I have looked at and wanted that I didn’t get right away.”

“Mmmhhmm, right. And you’ve been what? Stalking her all these years. Watching her from a distance, unknowingly letting your crush bloom.”

That sparks anger in me. “ It’s not a crush! And I haven’t been stalking her!”

He holds his hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay, I’m not trying to get on your nerves. I’m just trying to understand. And help you to understand. There’s a reason you haven’t been able to confront her. Kill her. There’s a reason she’s intrigued you your entire life. She is your mate. And whether you choose to acknowledge or accept it. Your identical Goddess marks speak for themselves.”

“So what would you have me do? Confront her? Tell her she’s my mate. Bring her back to the Shadowlands and we rule together? She doesn’t even know who I am. Doesn’t even know my name.”

“Well, for starters maybe make yourself known to her. Rather than watching her. And perhaps have a conversation. Rather than just pinning her up against a tree. Allow her to get to know you and perhaps she will come around on her own.”

I lean forward. Resting my face in my hands. “I’ve never been one for conversation.”

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