Page 108 of The Book Reader
Fury colors his intense eyes as he watches me; he has a need to murder those men for me all over again. But he says nothing, waiting for me to continue. “It wasn’t just the daemons from the other day, I saw every hand and claw that touched me, all the punches, the daggers and swords that have struck me in all my lives. They hurt me in ways no one should ever feel. I saw all my deaths at other hands. It was a lot of, I?—”
His hand grasps my jaw gently, making me look at him. “My Rose, rest. Let me hold you this night, and only when you are ready, I will help erase those touches. I will replace them with my own.” he brushes his lips softly over mine.
“You are not like the other daemons, Gaelan.”
He grins against my lips. “We are not all bad, my Rose. Some of us were just born to do bad things.”
Chapter 39
GAELAN
The book resides in Westery, its chosen place of safety; I learned yesterday that all I need to do is close my eyes and think of my book, and I will see it in my mind’s eye. Though I can summon the book to me at any time. It’s attached to me as I am to it.
We also discovered that Gaelan can’t see the book as I can, and we assume that means no one else can see it either. To me, it’s stunning, a solid gold piece with intricate patterns that swirl into one, like vines. Some symbols resemble ancient relics, something I’ve seen on the walls of old buildings. Still, to Gaelan, they look like a tattered notebook. He said he feels power emanate from it, alluring him to take it and run.
I play around with a few spells. Each time I used a new one, the spell lifts off the pages. The words appear in the air before me shortly before imprinting on my skin, leaving me covered in more gold markings.
The burning on my skin lessens with each spell. In fact, I almost enjoy the painful pleasure of it. Each mark is not only tattooed on my skin, but they are also branded into my memory,which means I don’t need the book for that spell after I’ve learned it.
I still have some learning to do—the water and fire powers are easy to control, but earth and air are a little harder.
Gaelan picked my gown for the dance. Gold, white, and backless, the gown hugs all my curves and dips low at the front. I’m also wearing a traditional sash that represents the dream realm; it’s blue and silver with the same dragon that’s on the carvings of Gaelan’s bed frame. My hair is up on my head with a few loose curls around my face. I’ve never in my life been to a ball, so this is going to be new, and I’m excited to see what it’s like.
“You look stunning.”
My eyes flick up, and I smile, seeing Gaelan in the mirror's reflection, standing by the door. He is dressed in black pants and a dark blue tunic with silver trim. His sash is in place; it matches mine. He also wears a small silver crown, solid with blue gems on each of the six points that circle it. His family crest on the front of it, again the dragon, wrapped in vines. He looks like a prince from a twisted fairytale.
Turning, I can’t help the need that curls in my stomach. Gaelan's blue eyes are glowing so intensely that he looks so handsome.
“Thank you,” I whisper. I’ve not told him yet that I love him; I’ve been waiting for the right time. I see the love he has for me reflected in his eyes every day, burning brightly. When I tell him, I want it to be perfect.
He comes over to me, places a soft kiss on my lips, and I lean up on my tiptoes, deepening it, molding my lips to his. Gaelan still hasn’t touched me since the daemon attack. My body is ready to remove those memories from my mind. The want I have for this man takes my breath away. Every look he gives me, every little touch he offers during our days, drives me crazy withmy need. I know Gaelan knows how he makes me feel, the little smirk he gives me every time my breath catches, or a whispered moan leaves my mouth, tells me he is enjoying the teasing.
My desire for him is so fucking strong
Our lips part breathlessly; he leans his forehead on mine and smacks my ass. “Later, my Rose, first we dance.”
Gaelan spins me around, making me giggle. He then leads me out of the bedroom, down the hallway, toward the ballroom, which is in the basement of the castle.
The staff and villagers have been preparing for the ball since it was announced. The food, music, and decorations were all provided by them. Gaelan gave everyone the night off so they could all attend. He told me that his parties work much better as a self-serve kind of event; he hates the thought of anyone missing out, so do I.
When the double dark blue doors open, my breath is taken away at the beauty of the room.
The walls are the same dark blue as the castle, and the ceiling is covered in tiny fairy lights, making it look like the sky topside at night, just like my bedroom. In the center is a large crystal chandelier adorned with diamonds and swirls of silver. The walls have torches on them to bath the tables under each one in some light, to the left is a large long table set up with so much food that no one is going to be hungry tonight, along the right side of the wall is a band playing rock music, I recognize one of the songs beingGivefrom Sleep Token, they play it so beautifully that I start to wonder if it’s actually the band, but I’m pretty sure Gaelan has no idea who they are.
There is also a DJ booth that appears to be ready to take over once the band stops playing.
The dance floor is dark with smoke rolling over it. I can’t believe they did all of this in just a few days.
“Gaelan, it’s so beautiful,” my voice full of wonder.
He grins at me, then takes my hand and leads me over to the dance floor. “They always do such an amazing job, plus we have not had a ball here in a very long time, they were excited.”
He bows, then tugs me softly to his body. I place one hand on his shoulder, the other in his hand. He leads me around the dance floor effortlessly; it is only us dancing, and everyone else seems to have stopped what they are doing to watch us both. I gaze into Gaelan’s eyes, hypnotized by his intense stare, unable to look away.
So much has happened over the last couple of weeks that I feel like this place is home. Everyone here has been incredibly welcoming, and I'm thrilled for us both; it warms my heart.
“What are you thinking, Arianna?” Gaelan inquires, and he crushes me tighter to his body.
