Page 512 of Flirting with Darkness

Then abruptly, they turned and dashed away.

“Great,” I muttered, turning and trying to find my way. “It’s fine, I don’t need directions, I’m not about to die of—”

“Foolishness?”

The voice made me jump.

Tor leaned against the wall, almost lost in the darkness.

“How long have you been watching me?”

“Long enough to know you’re hopelessly lost.”

“Did you see me with the prince?”

“I saw enough.” He frowned. “What’s wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong with me?” The words came out breathless.

“The prince is handsome, wealthy, powerful, anyone would want to be his bride—”

“So you marry him,” I shot back. “I don’t know him.”

He stared down at me.

“What’s wrong with you?” I demanded, turning the question back on him. “Why would you take me here?”

He stared down at me, frowning, as if nothing I said made sense.“Youcalled me when you were afraid. You were being hunted by that man. I took you away from the danger.”

“This isn’t exactly a safe space, Tor!” I exploded at him.

He glanced down the hallway, as if looking to make sure we weren’t being overheard.

“And you killed that man, didn’t you?” The words formed a pit in my stomach. I wasn’t sorry; the man had felt like a danger. But it was a reminder that Tor—tall and horned and wicked—was a far greater danger.

“Yes.” He held out his hand. “Come with me. I’ll explain everything I can… privately.”

“That would begreat.”

He looked at me as if he wanted to touch me, and my breath caught in my chest. Tor was so familiar, but so different now. And the bond between us when we were kids feltto meas if it still tied us together, but I had no reason to think he felt the same. I didn’t want to make myself ridiculous.

The only thing that made sense was to leave the Fae world. To go back to my own. Something about the thought of being back to my old life seemed dull and tiresome and lonely. And yet… it was the wise thing.

“I don’t belong here,” I said as I followed him down the hallway. He was bare chested—why was he always bare chested—and his muscles shifted under his bronzed skin as he paced ahead of me.

“Why not?”

“Because I’m mortal?”

“The prince needs a mortal bride. You belong here.”

“Why?” I demanded again.

He pushed doors open, and I caught a glimpse of the world beyond. We were entering a garden that seemed to stretch on for miles. The untamed forest was far beyond; here were rows of lush, wild blooms, and the scent of flowers hung in the air. The colorful flowers were broken up by marble statues and small pools sunken into the ground.

“For a moment,” he said, holding out his hand, “Can I just show you what our world is like?”

He looked so much like he had as a boy in that moment, reminding me of the way he’d held his hands out to me for our wedding, and I couldn’t say no. Instead, I reached out and took his hand, and he froze for a second, watching me as if it were unexpected. Then his hand closed around mine, and he urged me forward, showing me all around the garden. The space was charming, but I couldn’t take my eyes away from him.

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