Page 62 of Bound By Blood
"It'll heal. I've had worse." Especially when she had traveled on her own. "And considering what could have happened, I'm grateful that this is all that there was. I just want you to know…I wasn't running because of you."
"I know. I talked with Quinn. They were completely wrong, and I am so sorry."
"I panicked. It was like everything was closing in on me, and it was so loud. I couldn't take it. I had to get away. It reminded me—" Her voice broke. The memories started rising again.
He stroked her cheek. "You don't have to explain. I understand. That wasn't how I wanted it to go."
"I know. But Quinn is right. You shouldn't have to suffer because of me. And that prism—"
"That prism is the only way I know how to protect you from the wish."
"Maybe that isn't something you can protect me from. Maybe that is part of what it means to be in a relationship with you." Her heart started to beat faster, her palms sweating. Her posture tightened. "Maybe that is something you can't fix."
"I can, though, if you'll just let me. What's one more curse? I've already got several." He spread his arms wide. "I can take another one, especially if it means I get to be with you."
"One more curse is a lot. Any curse is a lot."
"Maybe on a human," he said. "On a blood fae, not the same."
"Doesn't mean it isn't a problem. And the phrasing on that prism is disturbingly open-ended. You should probably destroy it as soon as you're able. Can you imagine what would happen if that got into the hands of the wrong person?"
"Well—" He scratched his head, then took her arm in his as he contemplated this. "That would be bad. But isn't that all the more reason you should use it?"
"No! Can it be destroyed?"
"Yes."
"Then it needs to be destroyed."
"But if I destroy it, you can't use it."
"That would be the general idea. You've got a random charm bouncing in your pocket that would let someone bind whatever they wanted and give you the consequences."
He continued to try to persuade her as they walked through the forest. As before, he guided her and moved branches out of the way while she carried Buttons. The damp scent of wet earth and leaf mold grew stronger as they moved away from the fire and the camp. The moon was full, the trees weren't so close together, and it was far easier to see.
"If I could think of another solution, I would offer it," he said. "Otherwise, wouldn't our living together simply be putting you at risk? Especially if—well—I think I could do good things to you that would make you want to say you love me. Maybe scream it."
Her cheeks heating, she shook her head. "That's—you're getting me flustered. You're right. It's hard not say it even now. Hard to not even think about it too. And I'm afraid of what will happen, but my gut says that using that prism is wrong."
"So we'll just be careful then? What if you slip? I don't want you to feel trapped."
"Have you given thought to what you would wish for?"
"Yes. And I'll continue to. If you ever feel like you can say those words and offer that wish, I will do all within my power to make it good and beautiful, and I won't give in to any temptation with it."
His fingers tightened around her hand. The moonlight that filtered through the canopy here was just enough that she could see his face. It highlighted the planes and lines of his jaw and cheeks.
"You're a good fae, Ryul."
He shook his head, his long lavender hair brushing his shoulders with the movement. A few strands caught on an errant branch. "Not a good blood fae, though. At least not from what I've heard about my kind."
"A fae man I—"
She stopped herself. It really was so easy, and those three words practically begged to be spoken now.
He smiled as if he understood. "My family will like you too. I have no doubt of that."
"You mean like Quinn does?"
