Page 32 of Forbidden Knots

"I will go," I said, my voice breaking. "Goodbye, Tristan."

His eyes met mine, but he remained silent. He turned away, focusing on Sophie. Her satisfying smile was more painful than any lash she had inflicted. Wrapping my arms around myself, tears filled my eyes. I turned, each step feeling like I was leaving pieces of myself behind. I sobbed quietly, barely able to walk, barely able to hold on.

I had lost everything I ever hoped for, dragging myself along the dusty road back to town.

Suddenly, hands gripped my hips, spinning me around, lifting me. Too weak to resist, I was ready to be taken by whoever it was. But then I heard his voice, "You really thought I would let you go?" I buried my face in his chest as he carried me away.

He lifted me effortlessly, like a feather caught in the wind, capable of carrying me into the shadows, yet I would still want to follow him.

"Tristan," I whispered weakly, "can you take me home?" My eyes slowly closed, and for the first time, I saw light. The darkness vanished every time I closed my eyes.

He was a shadow, but a shadow that brought light instead of darkness.

I remember there was light, then there was shadow.

I remember there was me, and then there was him.

It was me before him, and now it was me with him.

After him, it wasn't an option—he didn't give me one, and I didn't even want it. I wanted to stay in forever with him because I didn't like who I was before him, and I wouldn't enjoy myself after him.

I remember there was freedom, then there was a shadow.

I remember there was loneliness, and now I will never be alone.

He will always be here, behind me, watching me, following me.

I will be before him, never free, but never alone again.

I will be his storm on a sunny day, and he will be my shadow in the sunshine.

I will be his rain, and he will be my cold.

I will be his light, and he will be my dark.

In his bedroom, even as I pleaded for him to take me home, he gently settled my numb body onto the soft sheets, silently affirming that this was his domain. His home.

My head met the pillow, and I blinked open my eyes, greeted by the moonlight filtering through the curtains, casting a serene glow over the room. The gentle breeze teased my skin, sending shivers down my spine, while my dress clung damply to me, leaving a wet trail on the sheets beneath.

Meeting his eyes, a flush of warmth spread across my cheeks as his pupils dilated, his touch feather-light against my skin. Agasp escaped my lips as his smile widened, drawing him closer, his presence a balm to the bruises that marred my body.

He knelt beside me, the mattress dipping beneath his weight, enveloping me in its soft embrace. With a fluid motion, he shed his shirt, exposing a canvas of chiseled muscle I had only admired from afar. My trembling hand traced the contours of his chest, the proximity of his bare skin sending my senses reeling.

I bit my lip, anticipation building as his fingers deftly undid the buttons of my dress. Leaning over me, his lips met my chest, igniting a trail of desire that left me arching into his touch, my fingers tangling in the tousled locks of his hair.

With each whisper, I felt his smile against my skin. A soft moan escaped my lips as his hands found purchase on my hips, his tongue leaving a tantalizing trail of heat in its wake.

"You are poisoning my mind, Storm," he whispered against my skin. "From the moment I saw you, I waited for this."

"And you clouded mine, Shadow," I whispered, tangling my fingers in his hair. I tilted my head up, releasing a moan as he placed another kiss on my skin. My breath hung in the air as the summer night began to spread cold around the bedroom. The deepening night and the moon hiding behind clouds made the room darker than it had been a few seconds ago.

It felt like the darkness was enveloping me, kissing me, welcoming me, sending me a Shadow.

His hand moved the rest of my dress from my hips, pulling it down to my feet. Instead of discarding it, he tied my ankles with it, making a strong knot.

He followed the contour of my body, slowly moving to my knees and then pulling them up, separating my legs.

He climbed on top of me, his fists by my arms sinking into the fabric of the sheets. As he lowered his body, I could feel his hardness between my legs, making me gasp. His hair fellonto his forehead as he looked at me, and I lay underneath, completely surrendering, my body welcoming him.

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