Page 31 of Forbidden Knots

My tongue danced in her mouth, her body pressed so close to mine as I walked through the depths of the sea to the shore. The sand was sharp beneath my feet, the waves pulled us back, and the thunderstorm slashed through the sky, yet the night welcomed us to the light. Some kisses aren't just kisses—they're connections that lock souls together, making the world around you disappear. Each kiss made my heart race, but no doctor could heal the soul of a lover bound by forbidden love. I had tied myself to her, and she would never be free. She would always be mine. Always.

Finally, we reached the shore. I laid her on the sand, her body leaving imprints. As I moved over her, her palm sliced across my cheek, leaving a burning trail.

"If this is your way of thanking me, damn Thalia, you really know how to," I said, holding my jaw.

She crawled out from under me and sat up. "I don't want this, Tristan."

I sat next to her, my legs buried in the sand, both of us staring at the horizon, the moonlight glistening on the sea, thunder rumbling behind us. A storm was coming.

"You know I won't let you go, right?" I said, turning my head towards her and resting it on my arm.

"But why?" she asked, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Can't you see? You broke me into pieces. There's no glue in this world strong enough to put me back together." She buried her face into her knees, her tangled wet hair falling down her back. "Please leave me alone, please."

"I can leave, but I will never leave you alone," I said, pressing a gentle kiss to her bare shoulder. "Those broken pieces will find peace, I promise."

She peeked through her fingers, then tilted her head towards me, her eyes glistening with tears. "I fell for the Shadow before I fell for you. You shattered my reality, giving me this illusion of a world I never knew existed." Tears streamed down her cheeks. "All my life, I had everything I ever wanted, and now I want everything, but I can't have any of it."

"You have me," I whispered. "The Shadow will always follow you, and Tristan will always be here for you. Nothing has changed, Thalia. Nothing." I reached for her chin, bringing her face close to mine.

"You are still my Storm," I murmured, my gaze lingering on her lips, aching to kiss her. "I meant every word I said as the Shadow, and I mean every word I tell you now as Tristan."

"I can't," she cried, her eyes closing. "I'm afraid of this."

"You don't have to be afraid, baby," I said, pulling her closer. Her lips met mine, their warmth intoxicating. "I want you."

She melted into me, her hand on my neck, kissing me. "And I need you," I breathed.

"I so fucking need you," I said, turning her over, her body sinking into the sand beneath me. She had almost died, yet shehad never looked more alive. My hand traced her hair, then her face, her neck, her chest. As I leaned in, footsteps approached. Before anyone saw us, I got up and looked up to see Sophie standing in front of us.

Tears streaked down Sophie's face like falling stars. That look of hers pierced through me—I knew I had to let Thalia go. I had to tie another knot and let Sophie win again.

Her tears made me feel so guilty, and I knew that she needed me more than Thalia did at that moment. If I didn't go with Sophie, I would lose her.

I got up, my hand still on Thalia as she pleaded with her eyes for me to stay. Before I could speak, she whispered, "Please, I am scared."

I knew she was. If I went with Sophie, Thalia would be all alone, and I feared what that would do to her, to us. But I couldn't abandon Sophie either—I was afraid of losing her too.

I took Thalia's hand, pulling her with me as we walked towards Sophie. Just before Sophie could speak, just before her mouth parted, I shouted, "Let me be fucking clear, not a fucking word I want to hear."

I saw the annoyance in her eyes, the hatred she harbored for Thalia despite their friendship. I didn't recognize her anymore. I was failing her in every possible way, failing to be there for her, but I had to raise her. If she continued to live in darkness as I did, I would lose her forever, and I couldn't let that happen.

EIGHTEEN

Storm

We walked through the woods, the scent of pine enveloping us. I clung to his hand, terrified of letting go, terrified that Sophie would succeed in what she attempted. My heart pounded, and my body trembled. The cold seeped into my bones, my body ached as if thousands of knives were slicing through me, each cut more excruciating than the last.

Finally, a path with light appeared, the lively sounds of a carnival echoing around us. This reality struck me like a blow, shattering my dreams into mere illusions.

"I'll stay," Sophie declared, arms crossed, standing defiantly in front of the castle.

For the first time since we fled the beach, he released my hand and grabbed hers, pulling her forcefully away from the entrance. "Like hell, you will."

"Let me go, Tristan," she shouted. "You made your choice, and I made mine."

He turned towards me, and for the first time, I saw the pain in his eyes that separated us. I knew he would choose her, and jealousy gnawed at me—not just because he wouldn't be whollymine, but because he had her even in my absence, leaving me all alone.

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