Page 58 of Secrets & Curses of Crimson

After a long moment, Cassius pulled back so he could look at me. He wiped the tears from my face.

“I hate it when you cry,” he whispered.

“You know about my curse.” I wanted to have this conversation with him. Something somber crossed his features beforehe nodded.

“Yes.”

“My father said I have to kill the Crimson royal bloodline to free myself from it.”

This had him pulling back in shock. Something angry passed through him. I wanted to see his reaction. I would never hurt him.

“Your father is such a bastard,” he scoffed as he stood up. “That is not how you break the curse.”

My brows furrowed as Cassius stared at me.

“Then what do I need to do?”

My heart pounded as I waited for him to tell me. Cassius glanced away from me before running his hand through his hair. He let out a long breath before meeting my eyes.

“You must get your mother’s bloodstone from your father and give it to me.”

“You know my mother is a blood witch?”

He nodded.

“I know everything about you.” He frowned at me like it broke his heart that I didn’t know anything about him. “I meant what I said. You don’t remember, but you are mine, and I will always be yours.”

“You could be lying to me.” The words slipped from my mouth, but I didn’t actually think he was. I was panicking. Tell me what he’s thinking, I demanded from my magic.

Please don’t look at me like that. I should tell her I cursed her. That she can’t remember us because I killed her. I should tell her it’s me she dreams of.

I stilled at his thoughts and backed up slowly. His eyes watched me confused.

“Thea?” He frowned.

No, please don’t run. I’m trying to get you to break your curse. I miss you so much. This is the year that we break it, and you can come home.

His eyes being black always bugged me. It was wrong, and I knew it.

“Show me your real eyes,” I demanded. He swallowed hard, but the black faded into the prettiest shade of gold. No. No. Images of him dying plagued me. Tears fell from my eyes as I tried to control myself. Cassius was going to die. I felt nauseous.

“I need to go.” I needed to figure out where the bloodstone was, but now I had a bigger fucking problem.Are you going to let me die, my love?I groaned as I stumbled against the wall. There was an urgency inside of me to leave and go find the stone right this second. I couldn’t stay here even if I wanted to. The need to find the bloodstone was too much to resist.

“Please,” he whispered, and it tore at my heart.

When I looked back at him, he looked gutted.

“You’re scared.” He seemed to be convincing himself and not me.

I froze and stared at him. His chest full of tattoos rose and fell in steady breaths. I did trust him, and that is why I needed to leave.Find the stone and break this curse. We will save him at any cost.My darkness was frantic inside of me.

“I’m not scared.” I slipped on my boots.

“Are you worried that you’re a traitor because you love me?”

“No.” You are my husband, my mate.

“You look at me like you’re terrified.” He frowned.

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