Page 70 of Ruins
Her eyes shine with something fragile—a quiet hope that grips me by the throat.
A promise.
The desperation to kiss her again is almost unbearable, an ache that settles deep in my chest, but I force myself to step back.
There’s no more time.
Outside, hundreds of people are waiting. Our families. Our responsibilities.
She is mine. But I cannot have her.
Not yet.
I swallow the need threatening to consume me and brush my lips over her flushed cheek—a fleeting, restrained touch.
“I’ll see you at the altar,” I murmur.
Then, before I can change my mind, before I can ruin everything, I turn and walk away.
As I leave the room, only one thought remains, echoing in my mind.
Vasilisa is perfect and pure and good.
I cannot let my darkness consume her.
Chapter 16
Vasilisa
Hekissedme.
Consumedme.
That kiss was like coming up for air after drowning, like finally drinking after dying of thirst. It was passionate, magnetic, breathtaking... perfect.
Maybe Mimi was right. Maybe this could be more than duty. More than an arrangement.
Santo leaves, and I reach for my swollen lips, still tingling from his touch.That kiss—it was intense, filled with passion, with unbridled need. I’ve never been kissed like that before. Neverfeltanything like it.
I exhale shakily, placing the fallen roses onto the dresser and gathering what’s left of my breath. My skin still burns where his lips touched, a phantom heat I ache to feel again. I wanted more.I want more.
His scent lingers in the air, in my hair, wrapping around me like a whisper of what just happened.
I turn to the mirror, and the sight makes me blush.
Anyone would think something far more scandalous happened in this room. The door swings open, and Cassandra and Isabella return. The moment their eyes land on me, my cheeks ignite.
Isabella giggles.
Cassandra sighs, rolling her eyes. “I told him not toruinyou,” she says exasperated. “I hope you two had fun, it’s going to cost him double to fix this.”
“We—I didn’t—” I stammer, but Isabella just giggles harder, meeting my gaze in the mirror as she re-pins my hair and tucks the roses back into place.
“Sure,” Cassandra drawls, shaking her head in disbelief. She kneels, fluffing out my dress. “Did he at least leave your underwear intact?”
My eyebrows shoot up, and if my cheeks get any pinker, I might actually combust.
“Good,” Cassandra chuckles. “Let’s get you decent again.”
