Page 141 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

I might have allowed him to court me, though I am still not sure to what end. All I know is that I like being around him. He makes me feel like I matter. That doesn’t erase the fact that an entanglement with a mortal is forbidden. But as long as no one knows…

“How did you manage to come here? It’s quite a distance away from the base. I thought you’d have been dragged back by now,” I ask.

“I can go a bit further, too,” Tommy mentions with a proud smile.

“Why did you leave so suddenly then?” I frown.

“Because I was a third wheel!” he exclaims. “You were having a moment and it was uncomfortable to watch.”

“A moment? What do you mean? We were not having any moment.”

“Oh, we certainly were,” Mine agrees, his stance now more relaxed.

“What?”

Mine comes around and takes my hand.

“And we were having a moment before you interrupted just now, too.”

Tommy’s eyes widen. “I-I-I… I’m so sorry, Major!” he cries out in horror.

Mine still has a sour expression on his face as he regards the stressed ghost. He must havereallywanted to do that kissing thing with me. I wet my lips and look at him from beneath my lashes. I think I rather wanted it too… So what if it’s not technically allowed since I am unwed and he is mortal? The more I think about it, the more sure I am that he is the only person I’d like to try kissing with.

He catches me staring at him and raises a brow at me.

“We’ll have other moments,” I tell him with a smile. “Stop berating the poor boy.”

He stares at me for a second, his touch insistent and hot.

“Other moments, huh?”

I slowly nod.

“Plural?”

I nod again, caught in his mesmerizing gaze.

“I’ll hold you onto that,” he murmurs softly before he turns back to Tommy. With a heavy sigh, he decides to let the poor ghost off the hook. “You’re fine, lad. Just as well, you can help us find the entrance to the castle.”

Tommy readily agrees and promises he will make himself helpful.

We resume our journey, this time with Tommy a few steps ahead as he surveys the area. Mine still holding on tightly to my hand. Some might saytootightly.

But I rather like it. And him. Especially him and his warm presence. It’s comfortable and it feels like home—or what I imagine aninvitinghome would feel like. I wouldn’t mind it if he decided toneverlet go. In fact, I lean closer to him and twine my arm around his while holding his hand so I can also have a good grip on him and never lethimgo.

I smile blithely until I realize what I just admitted to myself.

I…like him?

Mine?

I like Mine.

I likelikehim.

Oh my, this is bad!

NINETEEN

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