Page 140 of Monsters Carve Thrones
I smiled up at him. “Yeah, I don’t know if I’ll ever want to return, honestly.”
He chuckled, planting a kiss on my wet shoulder. “We don’t need to, baby. I could stay here forever with you.”
***
The fire crackled low in the stone hearth at the edge of the terrace, its light flickering across Rafe’s face as he poured two glasses of wine. Candles glowed on the table between us, scattered in mismatched holders we’d picked up from a local market earlier that week. Wax dripped lazily down their sides, tiny rivers of gold hardening against terracotta and glass.
The wind had cooled. I’d wrapped myself in a linen robe and curled up beside him on the wide cushioned bench. My legs were tucked under me, the sea murmuring down below, the sky black and spangled with stars. Everything smelled like rosemary and woodsmoke.
Rafe handed me a glass and clinked his against mine. “To our next chapter.”
I smirked. “To our next chapter.”
He gave a small laugh and took a sip. Then his arm came around my shoulders, drawing me close. I leaned into him easily, letting my head rest against the hollow of his neck.
“Speaking of books,” he snorted. “It’s been a while since you’ve read one of your dirty ones.”
I rolled my eyes. “Honestly, Rafe, you’re more of a man than any of the ones I’ve read about. Just as wild, even more unhinged. And you blow my mind in the bedroom.”
His answering grin was wicked, his tired, icy eyes sweeping over my face.
“It’s wild that those books are a huge reason we... connected in the first place.”
He nodded, his gaze lifting to the stars. “I was looking for a way to get under your skin. I was obsessed with the idea of owning you, and solidifying an alliance.” He shook his head, gently caressing my arm, still looking at the sky. “The books definitely intrigued me. I knew you’d be different than any woman I had ever met.”
“You were quite keen on owning me, and never letting me go,” I sighed, recalling how different he was when we first met. I used to be scared of and crazy about him all at once.
“I was,” he agreed. “Never did I think that it would end up being the other way around. You own me, baby. My entire heart and soul. It’s all yours.”
“My greatest possession,” I murmured, leaning my head on his muscular shoulder and inhaling the scent of his cologne. Cedar and spice.
For a long time, neither of us spoke.
We just sat there, watching the moon rise higher.
Until finally, I whispered, “Do you think we’re done?”
“With what?” he asked softly.
I glanced up at him. “The violence.”
He let out a breath. “My love, there will always be violence in our world…” he trailed off, choosing his words with care. “But it will never be what it was. Not with you.”
“I want peace. I wantus.Without looking over our shoulders. Without waking up wondering what we missed, who’s coming. Do you think that’s possible?” I asked.
His hand tightened on my arm. “I didn’t think love likethiswas possible,” he murmured, brushing his nose against my temple. “And yet, here we are. You’ve tamed the Dark Monster of New York City.”
“Psh, I don’t know abouttamed,” I joked, tracing my nails along his muscular forearm.
“I’m proud of you,” he said suddenly, voice gruff. “For surviving. For killing him. For coming back to me when I thought I’d lost you forever.”
“I never stopped trying to get back,” I whispered. “You were the only thing that got me through it, honestly.”
“I know.” He kissed the side of my head. “I felt it. Every goddamn day.”
A tear slipped down my cheek, hot and uninvited. I blinked fast and smiled anyway. “I still dream about it sometimes,” I confessed. “Being trapped. Hearing your voice and not being able to get to it. Like I’m screaming underwater.”
His jaw clenched beneath my cheek. “I dream about it, too,” he said. “Except in mine, I’m always one step too late.”
