Page 130 of Secrets & Curses of Crimson

“It’s what family does—protects each other,” he said with a smile as he pulled back. His blue eyes glanced at Cassius before looking at me. “You should probably go talk to your husband before he combusts,” he chuckled.

When I turned, Cassius’ eyes were glued to me. They were full of questions and hesitation. I stepped toward him, and he held his hand out so I could take it before he led us to our room.

As soon as we walked into our space, I felt so much better. I pulled the bloodstone from around my neck and set it on the counter. Cassius’ eyes lingered on the stone before looking at me. I thought he would ask questions, but he just dragged me to the washroom and started the shower.

Cassius smiled at me as he helped me undress.

I did the same for him before we climbed into the shower. Cassius turned me so I was facing him. He leaned forward and gave me a chaste kiss before washing my hair for me. Tension released from my muscles the more hetouched me. When he was done rinsing my hair, he stared at me, uncertain.

“What’s wrong?” I frowned.

“I keep waiting for this dream to end and wake up to you still not remembering who I am.” He sounded so scared.

“That’s never going to happen, Cassius.” I ran my fingers over his cheek and pulled him to me for a kiss. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I broke the curse.”

“About that...” he narrowed his eyes at me. “How did you break it? You never gave me the stone.”

I smiled.

“One night I realized I could use your shadow magic to move to different places quickly. I had used your magic to visit Crimson sometimes. So, I gave it to you as you slept.”

Cassius smiled.

“Did you spy on me as I slept, my love?”

“Yes,” I whispered. “I could not stand to be away from you all the time. I knew I would give you the bloodstone the day you told me that it was how I would break my curse; I just didn’t know where it was. And then I couldn’t tell you because Brim and I had a vision of you dying. When I got stabbed by the dagger today, you were going to help me, and my father was going to behead you. So, I didn’t tell you. I hope you understand why I couldn’t tell you.”

Cassius stared at me for a long moment. Emotions filled his eyes as he watched me.

“When did you break it?”

“Do you remember when I found you in the woods spying on my camp, and I told you if you beat me in a fight, I would let you go?”

“Yes.” His eyes flashed black at the memory.

“I broke the curse not long before then. I couldn’t stay away from you. I needed you. I couldn’t stop myself from kissing you or touching you.”

His brows furrowed.

“I had thought you broke it that day,” he confessed. “You looked at me differently. You didn’t look confused about your desire for me, but I thought I lost my mind. I thought there was no way you broke it,” he chuckled. “I should have known that with you, anything is possible.”

His eyes glanced over my face.

“When I was standing with Luren and Jesper in camp talking about a peace treaty, I heard your voice.”

I glanced at him, confused.

“In my mind, I heard it. You weren’t saying anything, but I could hear your thoughts. I truly thought I had lost my fucking mind.”

Was that why I couldn’t hear his thoughtsthat day?

“You must have gotten that as part of my powers when I gave you the bloodstone.” I smiled. “Are you upset I didn’t come back to you immediately?” I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“No.” He pulled me to him and hugged me as he kissed my forehead. “I always knew you’d break it and make it home to me. But you were right to keep it from me. I would have tried to protect you and probably gotten in the way. I tried today. If Haden hadn’t saved me, I would’ve died because I couldn’t focus on anything but protecting you.

“The way you destroyed your family and Jesper today was... fucking amazing. I have never been more proud to have you as a mate than when I was watching you punish every single one of them. Fuck, I was in awe of you, little viper. I will always be in awe of you.”

I stood on my tippy toes and kissed him, pulling him to me with need. Cassius tilted his head so he could deepen the kiss. His tongue dominated mine as he pushed me into the shower wall. His hands skimming down my body with a hum of approval.

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