Page 58 of Shattered Heir
“Yes, Shad.”
“That’s a waste,” he sighed and combed some fingers through his hair. “Look, I have to do what I have to do.”
“I will save you, and once I do that, you are going to hate yourself for everything you are doing.”
“Hate myself? That seems really unproductive.”
“I love you, Shad. I want you to get better, to be yourself. What you are doing isn’t you; it isn’t the boy I love. It’s destructive, and it hurts the people who care about you.”
He shrugged and moved to the door. “Are we done here? I mean, unless—” He raised one brow.
“Ugh,” I faked disgust, and it seemed as if he wasn’t buying it.
“Emma, I am here, waiting, but until then, I have to fill this void.”
“Void?” I was confused.
“It is a Soulless thing. I have needs, Emma, and if you are not able to meet them—”
“You need to kiss Karen?” I asked, placing hands on my hips in disbelief.
He shrugged, “It doesn't have to be her—” He walked closer to me so that my back was against a bathroom stall door.
Why is everyone always cornering me?I needed to notice when things started in order to prevent them in the future. I put my hands on his chest, and the electric flow buzzed between us. His eyes, so dark, were on mine. “I would rather it be you—” he said softly “I need you.”
My heart melted.
Maybe just one little kiss wouldn't hurt.
He leaned his mouth down an inch away from mine. I could smell his familiar scent of mint and leather, and I wanted to breathe him in forever. But before his mouth could reach mine, he moaned, bent down, and rested his head on my shoulder as if in pain. I immediately put my hands on his waist.
“Shad, are you okay?” I asked as he squinted his eyes in pain.
“It hurts so bad,” he groaned and held my sides tight with his grip. His body was heavy in my arms, but I did my best to hold him there, wondering what could be going on with him.
“What is happening?”
“Keil said—” His breaths were heavy, and each word seemed labored, “this—would—happen,” he said, again groaning and gripping the sides of my shirt in his hands even tighter.
“Tell me what I need to do; let me help you.” I hadn't realized until that moment that I was crying. Tears were silently streaming down my face. I didn't want to see him in pain, no matter who he had just kissed.
“I will be fine,” he said through clenched teeth.
“Shad, please, I want to help you; let me.”
“I already told you how you can help me,” he snapped.
“You really need me to kiss you?” I whispered, my breath moving his black, blue hair softly.
“Yes,” he whispered. I moved his face up to look at me. There was so much pain in those sad eyes. I let my melody out, and it rang so loud. The note that belonged to Shad rang, too. We stood there for a moment, and I watched as Shad’s eyes grew warm. I could have sworn that I saw a speck of gold there, just like the last time in the hallway when I thought I had dreamt it.
“Shad,” I whispered, caressing his cheeks with my fingertips, imagining that it was real, that he was the man I loved and not the soulless creature that Cade had created.
“Darling, I don’t have long,” I felt the tears fall again, freely flowing, and I wanted to jump for joy.
“Is that you?” I whimpered.
“Yes, Emma. I am sorry—I am not the Shad you once knew anymore. Without my melody—” He paused.
