Page 96 of Blooms of Darkness

Kade stared at me, for once, unsure of what to say.

Before he could come up with some sort of snarky response, I tugged his hand, jerking him toward me. He stumbled on the edge of the bed as I pulled him into my arms. Our eyes met, and warmth finally returned to my darkened, worthless-feeling soul.

With one hand still clasped in mine, he raised his other around the back of my neck and into my wet hair, our lips grazing lightly. He didn’t give in like I wanted. Like I needed. Instead, he drew away.

“I don’t want to be alone,” I whispered, staring into his eyes.

He shook his head, battling something inside of himself as his gaze darted from my lips to my eyes. “You’re grieving.” He kissed my forehead. “If you still want more when you’ve had time to process what’s happened, I will not deny you again.”

I brought my hands to his unbuttoned tunic collar. “You’re hardly a hero, you don’t need to act like one now.”

His lips quirked into a half-smile as he ran his fingertips along the side of my face. “I’m sure I’ll be back to my normal asshole-ish self tomorrow. For now, try to sleep, Little Rebel.”

I wrinkled my nose, but very subtly jerked his collar. He leaned forward, pressing his lips to mine, in a more chaste kiss than before, but one I felt everywhere, nonetheless. He removed my hands from his tunic, kissing my knuckles before gazing upon my face again and rising, leaving my bedside.

He didn’t glance back, but his shadows lingered a moment longer than he did before following, reluctantly trailing him.

Who would have thought Kade Blackthorn knew care and compassion?

My lids were heavy before the luxurious bath, and now were almost unbearable to keep open. I needed to sleep.

He’d kept the demons at bay once again, without even knowing it. With Elisabeth gone, there was a small part of me grateful I had another person to feel safe with.

I sat on the edge of the bed, fighting sleep. The nightmares would surely come for me tonight. A small pot of salve sat on my bedside table, which Elisabeth had prepared. Fresh tears threatened to fall as I held the canister of sweet floral-smelling salve to my chest. Inhaling the aroma that would forever remind me of her, I rubbed some on my hands and legs.

I paused. My legs were clear, perfectly healed, unlike prior to my bath.

The way Kade’s shadows had moved up and down my legs, they must have been healing them. Perhaps it explained why they were so comforting.

That night, instead of the nightmares I feared, my dreams were filled with tea and secret cookies. Except joining me with Elisabeth, in what I knew would never happen now, was Kade, smiling at the woman I would love until my dying breath.

Chapter 27

“Please, please, promise me you will not kill Lord West on your date.”

Kalliah’s warm brown eyes stared me down, and I believed each of us knew she pretended to be onlyhalf-joking.

In the mirror, I gave her my best attempt at a smile as she stepped away after completing a sweeping up-do of curls atop my head.

I clutched onto Lucien, who’d been resting on my lap. He’d barely left my side, sleeping near me and constantly on guard. I set him down, aware he’d be close.

I’d been allowed one day to grieve.

A small reprieve my father had granted before reminding me I had a duty to fulfill, even during heartbreak. My role in the trials continued.

The upcoming Festival of Blessings would kick off the third and final trial. Meaning now, I only had a few days until this would all be over.

I gripped my chair as I rose, realization hitting me. This would soon beover.

All of it.

I had no idea what it would look like, or who might come out victorious on the other side.

“You haven’t promised yet.” Kalliah bumped into me as she teased, trying desperately to break through the wall surrounding myself after Elisabeth’s death.

I snorted. “I’m unsure I should promise such things.”

“At least it’s a walk through the city. Why he thinks it's a worthy date when he’s trying to win your affections is beyond me,” she said, “but I guess we can’t expect a Lord who is responsible for nothing but himself to actually plan a date with you.”

---