Page 73 of Ringmaster
Inside the manor, the rain continues to beat down on the roof while thunder shakes the walls. Not wanting to take Mercy to my bedroom and make her feel uncomfortable, I carry her to the library. Not the one that requires a blood sacrifice to enter—the other one. The one it hides beneath. We slip through the double doors. I lock them behind us, then flick my wrist, sealingthem with a spell strong enough to keep even the Ringmaster out. Ahead of us, a massive fireplace rises two stories high, its mantle one unbroken slab of black granite. There’s a basket filled with blankets beside a loveseat and oversized chairs nestled cozily around a rug. Rows upon rows of books line the walls, tall wooden ladders leaning against them, and a curved staircase leads to a cozier second level above.
“A two-story library,” Mercy gasps in awe, her fingers still laced around my neck.
“I take it you like the library,” I say.
“Like?” she says in a questioning tone. “I don’t just like the library—I love it.” She looks around with wonder before squealing. “There are so many pages just waiting to be read.”
I carry her further into the library until we’re standing on the rug in front of the large fireplace.
“Let’s get you out of the wet clothes, darling.” I put her down in front of me.
My hands slowly work to peel the straps of her dress over her shoulder. They tremble as I barely brush over her bare skin with my fingertips. Mercy sighs, leaning into my touch, inviting me to continue as she presses her body against mine. I jerk my hands back, turning instead to pick up a blanket and hold it in front of her.
“Go ahead and undress,” I say—though it takes everything in me not to look over the edge of the blanket as she does.
Her clothes land with a wet thud against the rug. I wrap the blanket over her shoulders, transferring the corners I was holding to her hands so she can comfortably wrap it around herself. When she’s finished, she tucks one side against her breast, as if she’s wrapped the blanket into a strapless dress.
“Azrael, what are we doing here in the library like this? she asks, spinning to gaze into my eyes, searching them for answers. “I thought surely you might take me to your bedroom.”
I gulp. “It’s not that I didn’t want to. I do. I just… I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable. And I don’t want you to feel taken advantage of.”
Her face softens in understanding. “I don’t feel taken advantage of, Azrael. I want you. I want all of you.” Her eyes flick briefly to my cock before returning to meet mine. “I’ve waited a long time for this.”
“You know I want you too. I just selfishly needed you to be safe—here with me. There’s also something you need to understand. About—“
She stops me, pressing a finger to my lips. “Shhh. Whatever you were going to say, don’t. I don’t care, Azrael. There’s nothing you can say that will change my mind. I want you. All of you.”
She drags her hand down my chest sensually, but I stop her before she reaches my waistband. “Mercy, please. It’s important you know what’s going to happen.”
She sighs. “Fine, Azrael. Tell me.”
I run my fingers through her wet hair, stalling. “If we consummate the soulmate bond, then I will pass to you a gift of immortality. Is that something you can live with for an eternity? Is that something you want? You’ll watch everyone you’ve ever loved fade from this world, and you’ll be all alone.”
She doesn’t react. “I won’t be alone… I’ll have you, Azrael.”
I kiss her fingers. “I understand. But I still want you to think about it. Why don’t you go have a look around? I know I said no exploring on your own, but in here—it’s safe. Think about it, and decide if it’s really something you want.”
“If I think about it, then what?” she asks.
“Then I will respect your decision. However you decide,” I whisper, blowing her a kiss, then watching as she backs away to explore the library.
Once she’s gone, I snap my fingers and the fireplace fills with a warm, crackling fire. I peel off my own wet clothes, wrap a blanket around my waist, and stare into the flickering flames as I’m lost in a sea of tumultuous thoughts. After a few minutes, I go in search of Mercy, following the little puddles and drops of water she left behind as she wandered through the space.
It’s not until I realize she’s climbed the staircase to the second floor that I become nervous. What if she looks into the telescope and finds her house burned down? Would she ever forgive me?I take the steps two at a time. The staircase creaks and moans in protest, as if alerting her that I’m on my way. My blood chills. Did I remember to move the telescope? Fuck. I can’t remember if I moved it after the last time I was watching her house.
Panic creeps in as I call to her. “Mercy, darling, where are you?”
She gasps as I appear at the top of the stairs, startling her so badly she drops the book she was holding.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” I reach down to retrieve the book for her.
When I hand it to her, I catch her staring. Her cheeks heat adorably with embarrassment.
“How did you know I was up here?” she asks, obviously confused by my sudden appearance.
A smile curls my lips as I point to the small puddles on the floor. “You were easy to find.”
I reach for her, fingers slipping around her waist, and tilt her chin until our lips meet—just once. A whisper of a promise. Then I release her, gliding away, bumping the telescope before stopping to adjust it.
