Page 48 of The Dark Rising
Understanding does not equal forgiveness.
“The rogures destroy everything,” I say solemnly, instead of asking the question I really want answers to.
“They do, my father was next on their list,” he says, and silence wraps around us until Darius gets up, handing me a mug from a table next to the fireplace. I take the warm mug from his hands with caution, wondering if I should throw it at him again, and look at him questionably. “Anna said it will help with fatigue, and that you have been having this tea regularly to help with the exhaustion you have been feeling.”
So why isn’t Anna giving it to me then? And why has she been telling him these things? It’s a current weakness I do not want him, or anyone else to know. I hesitantly take a sip, feeling the warm liquid soothe me, and I groan at the taste of honey and gentle spices as it slides down my throat. I watch Darius’s eyes darken over the rim of the mug and I shift on the bed, very aware that we are alone in here.
“Where am I?”
“My bedroom.” I turn to stone.
“What?” I gasp, and look around like a death trap is about to come from the ceiling and stab me. No wonder his scent is everywhere in here.
He chuckles low as if he can read my thoughts, and sits back down in the chair next to the bed. “You’re safe in here.”
Has he gone mad? “I’m not safe anywhere,” I correct him.
He nods, reluctantly agreeing. “But with me you are.”
I laugh at the audacity of that statement.
I look him over, tilting my head as his eyes are full of something I can’t name, but there is no deception within his green orbs, like he believes what he’s saying. “Darius, you are more dangerous than most.”
“I am to those who deserve it.” I resist the flinch I felt coming.
“And to those that don’t, it seems,” I mutter.
“I have no mercy when it comes to those who hurt mine.”
“I have been up close and personal with yourno mercy, Darius, you don’t need to remind me of that.”
He looks away. “Believe it or not, I gave you as much mercy as I could.”
“I don’t believe it.” Splitting my back wasn’t a mercy.
He sighs, and I shake my head, moving the conversation forward. “Why am I in your bedroom and not with the others?” I put the empty mug down on the end table and scoot back against the pillows, bringing the furs with me and placing them in my lap. Then a sudden thought hits me. “Where is my pack?” Has he done something to them, are they with the Highers?
“Calm down, little wolf, your pack is fine. They are probably about to rise from their own rooms that we allocated them.” Again, no signs of lies in his eyes, and I relax back against the pillows as best as I can.
“Why am I in your room?” I ask again.
He’s quiet for a second before his brows furrow. “Because I wanted you in here.” He leans back in his seat, full of confidence only an Alpha can have, but I can tell it pained him a little to admit that, though I don’t know why he even wants me here.
“I have to say, I’m really confused about what’s going on here.” I pick at my fingers, glancing around the room.
“So am I,” he mutters beneath his breath, before rubbing his hands down his face. “What you said, about being in the woods and seeing a wolf as a child.”
I blink at the sudden change in conversation. “Yeah. What about it?” Is he going to laugh at me?
He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees as his stare penetrates my soul. “Was it a normal wolf?
“Normal?” My heart rate kicks up a notch, why would he ask that?
“Yes, Rhea, normal,” he sighs like I’m a pain in the ass, but he’s going in so many different directions with this conversion I feel like I’m being flung back and forth.
I open my mouth before closing it, unsure what to say or why he’s even asking me something like this. Where is this coming from, am I dreaming?
“Why would I tell you something that you will probably use against me in some way. Mock or laugh at me and tell me I’ve gone mad?”
