Page 66 of The Tainted and the Tamed
“Murasaki,” he said, but she shook her head.
“It’s better this way.”
“It isn’t. It’s better for no one.” His chest rose. “I’ve been selfish, afraid, and thinking only of my own fear and unworthiness. But I can do better. Iwilldo better. If you wish me to do some good, if you want me to change things—to change myself—then stay. Make sure I do it. Help me to do it. I can do anything if you’re by my side.”
“It isn’t that simple.”
“Why couldn’t it be?”
“Because that’s not how life works!”
Haruki lowered his chin. “I agree. It often doesn’t. But I’ve more experience with it than you do. With the right point of view, even the moon can be like the sun.”
“Which am I?”
“To me? You are both. You always will be.”
She needed to look away. So why didn’t she?
Instead, Murasaki’s eyes traveled from the case in her hands to the expanse of red bridge between them, stopping when she reached his feet. She hadn’t noticed till now. He didn’t even wear proper shoes.
“Stay,” he said again, making her heart surge. “Stay with me, Saki. Despite all my flaws, despite my weaknesses—despite your headstrong nature and your anger at me. Do it anyway. Stay so we can change the world together.”
“How would I even know you’ll keep your word?”
“You don’t. I can’t promise we’ll be successful—that I’ll be able to change anything. But I swear to you, I will keep trying. I love you too much to go back to the person I was before.”
And suddenly, the distance between them did not feel so great.
He met her halfway across the bridge, his arms enfolding her, pulling her close to his broad chest. His lips pressed to hers, sweet as honey, then with more passionate, more insistence. Demanding an answer to the question hanging between them.
As he withdrew those perfect lips of his, concern lay etched across his brow. As if he didn’t understand that, yes, she would accept him. Him and his vampire blood.
My heart isn’t even beating out of fear. I’ve almost forgotten it, that distance from where we stand to the stream below.
Because he would always protect her, from anything that may come.
He was her simplicity, her complication, her unexpected twist—but he was also her chance for the relief she’d craved. Since the day he’d first given her that medicine, he’d done nothing but seek to ease her burdens.
If that wasn’t true love, then what was? It certainly wasn’t pretty words. It wasn’t perfect actions. Maybe it didn’t even have to be in the “right” package, either.
It only had to be the right one for her.
Damn these complexities.She’d always thought, if she’d ever found love again, it would be as easy as the first. But would her first love have stayed that way, if it had lasted? Wasn’t that just another unreasonable fantasy?
Because love didn’t look anything like she’d thought it would. And it was so much harder to accept than she’d ever believed.
Slowly, Haruki’s arms withdrew so that he held her by her shoulders, peering into her face for clues as to how she would answer his request.
“Will you remain here?” he asked, his grip tightening. “With me?”
“Don’t you know the answer to that yet?” Murasaki touched her reddening cheek.
“A kiss is not an answer. It can mean far too many things.”
“Then I’ll have to say it.” She swallowed. “I’ll stay.” She glanced up at him from beneath her lashes. “Of course, I’ll stay.”
“And you’ll accept my blood?”
