Page 67 of In Between Darkness
“My father is tough, very strict. I mean, the leader of the Xoro army has to be. He enforced a lot of rules, but he took me in and gave me a roof over my head, so I am thankful for that. My mother, she was beautiful.” He smiles as he says this, but I hear pain in his voice. “She passed away when I was young, which only made my dad tougher.” He grits his teeth at this; clearly, his mother’s passing made a significant impact on him.
“I’m so sorry,” I say, feeling the hurt in his story, and he gives me a small smile, but I can see the pain behind his eyes. We walkin silence for a few moments, but another question pops into my mind that I just have to ask.
“Your dad, he knew my dad… My real dad. Did he ever say anything else about him?”
“Luca, your father, was training to be a voice for the victims of war. He was one of the best veil shifters that Moon Sovereign had ever seen… My father and he fell out shortly before he died, but he always questioned the stories.” He frowns. “Not everyone can handle the Gift of Mourna, always hearing people from the other side. In the end, they just assumed that the voices drove him mad.”
Ryder walks a few steps ahead of me, still leading the way. I watch him roll his shoulder and give it a squeeze as if he is trying to ease aches from a vigorous workout. “That’s all I know. Can I ask you something now?”
“Anything,” I say, catching up to him slightly.
“What happens when we get River out? Are you gonna go back to kissing him?” Of course, he asks about River. I roll my eyes at his question.
“Why, are you jealous?” I taunt as a smirk forms on my face.
“What if I am?” He stops in his tracks and stares back at me, his eyes sparkling with promise. I definitely was not expecting that response from him.
“Well, what about you? You think I didn’t hear that Moon mention a Mikayla earlier?” I retaliate, emphasising my frustration when I say her name.
He chuckles, and the sound echoes around the void.
“Mikayla is no one,” he says without turning back at me.
“Oh sure, she’s no one, only your friend called the two of you ‘lovebirds’.”
“You want the truth? Mikayla and I have a history, but not in the way you think. We had one night together, and she caught feelings. Now she throws herself at me any chance she can get.It’s desperate really.” He grits his teeth, and I can’t help but feel sorry for the girl. Nevertheless, the sentence sparks hope in me. “She’s not like you,” he mutters quietly.
“Why? Because I don’t throw myself at you?” I laugh at his reasoning.
“Because you’re not like the others, you’re different.”
I pause after he says this. Does he mean this as a good thing? Because right about now, I feel like a freak. We’re literally walking around in a portal I created because I lost control and trapped River. I go back to the question that was asked.
“Different isn’t always good,” I whisper to myself. “Anyway, River is sweet and kind… and he’s good.”
“Pftt… He’s also a Sun. You really think he’s still going to like you when he finds out your little secret?” He inches in closer to me, and I can feel his breath on mine, so I push him away.
“Why do you have to be such an arsehole all the time?” I’m taken aback by his snide comment, but I can’t help thinking he’s right.
“I’m just being realistic,” he says, and continues walking away.
Gods, I hate how he says things that make me question everything and carries on like nothing happened. I trail behind him, thinking about his words. He stops for a moment before walking towards me with purpose.
“Can you honestly say that he makes you feel the same way I do?”
I blush, and suddenly my anger disappears.
“Difference is that liking River isn’t going to get me exiled,” I sigh and gather my thoughts. I wonder if the same rule applies to Stars dating Moons?
“So, you admit it, you like me.” He smiles proudly and continues walking.
“You’re such a child.” I shake my head, not wanting to give him the satisfaction, but he stops again in front of me, inches away.
“So, you were craving a little taste of darkness after all.” His moist tongue slides over his teeth as he says this, and butterflies flutter in my stomach. He leans in towards me and looks down at my lips. I feel the tension rise between us and hold my breath. His lips look soft and have a slight shine to them. I wonder what they would taste like at this moment. He lifts his thumb and forefinger to cradle my chin and lifts it towards him, making me bite my lip. I allow his thumb to control me and tilt my head up closer to him as his breath tickles my lips. My nose brushes against his, and one hand caresses the small of my back. He leans in, and I close my eyes, craving his kiss. His thumb releases my face, and I hear him chuckle as he toys with me.
I open my eyes; he’s got me right where he wants me.
“That’s what I thought,” he whispers into my ear before pulling away.
