Page 101 of Between Earth and Eternity
Baby, baby, I’ve been waiting for so long
Call me crazy, I think I’m what you’re looking for
“Hot Blooded,” New Constellations
Twenty minutes is not a sufficient amount of time to decide if I’m going to secretly meet up with a man who has agreed to share his deepest darkest secrets. Not to mention with the caveat that I’ll be putting myself in a situation I can’t get out of. Life on Zenith has always been shrouded in mystery, andthe implied dangers have never been misunderstood. But now, instead of being afraid of Vallen, I’m afraid of what he knows.
I tell Ori I’m feeling unwell and that my feet hurt. She offers to come back to the suite with me, but I reassure her it’s nothing to be worried about
I know she’s getting tired of my vague reasons for leaving early. Regardless of how she truly feels, she accepts my explanation. She’s a beautiful, friendly flower that I will never take for granted, here to bring me comfort and remind me of the good. A pop of color in my gray days. That is why that dress fits her so perfectly. I watch her bright pink self bounce back into the crowd before I exit the ballroom.
I have no idea how much time has passed when I arrive at the library, but it feels like enough. I’m hoping he hasn’t already left when I turn the corner to find Vallen pacing. He actually breathes a sigh of relief when he sees me. His jacket is unbuttoned, tie loosened. He’s handsome when he’s put together, but when he’s a bit undone like this . . . it’s devastating. He nods for me to follow him into the rows.
“Are you sure this is the best place?” I ask as he leads me farther into the maze of books.
“Of course. This is a confessional, is it not? I figured I’d better do it somewhere holy to both of us.”
For some reason, that stirs a deeper desire for him, and I can think of a lot of things we could do on this holy ground.
No, Skyler. Focus.
After these months of trying to follow my father’s request with no idea what I was doing most of the time, maybe at all times, I am finally going to get real, undiluted answers.
There’s hardly anyone here on a normal day, let alone on a night such as this. The whole ship is distracted with celebrations. It is deathly quiet, the pages absorbing all sound. We reach the end of a row, and he determines it safe.
Here in the dim lighting, he looks more disarmed but still incredibly intimidating. The undeniable power of his presence keeps me captive, but I have no desire to escape. It’s always more intense when we’re alone. Where no other stares can linger and get their fill of him. Right now, he is for my eyes only. When his gaze locks onto mine, I feel a quiet shattering of my control and a building need.
“That dress . . .” He rubs his jaw. “You are so beautiful. Brighter than any star. A sun that could burn me by merely looking at it for too long. You could wound me so easily,” he admits in earnest.
Goosebumps erupt on my skin, electricity brushing over every inch of my body. “I would never hurt you,” I promise, and I’m surprised how easily that oath comes to my lips. At the beginning of the journey to Eden, I would have loved nothing more, but not now.
“I know you wouldn’t intend to, but I can’t shake the fear that, despite our best intentions, we might still end up causing each other a lot of pain. But . . .”
“But?”
“You have me in your orbit. And I’d take the risk of pain over the fear of never having a glimpse of your light in my life.” The weight of his words causes my heart to pound, each beat a heavy thud against my ribs. “And if I’m going to confess my secrets to you, I’d better do it properly.”
And then he kneels. Actually drops to his knees before me. A sight few have ever witnessed, if anyone at all.
“Now, the question is, what truth do you want first?” he asks, looking up at me in a roguish manner. I am entranced and intrigued all at once. “How badly I’ve wanted you? Or”—his hand wraps around my ankle and lifts it slightly, the slit in my dress revealing most of my toned leg—“my plans to burn my father’s empire to the ground?”
My eyes go wide, trying to process the words. Each leaving an impact that both delights and terrifies me to my core. And then it truly dawns on me that I have Vallen Mannox on his knees before me, so I decide to use it to my full advantage.
“How about we start with you answering my questions? Truthfully.”
He smiles like that’s exactly what he was hoping I would say. “Honey, I am yours to command.”
If I wasn’t dizzy with desire before, I am now.
“Was it you that night of the security breach?”
He lifts my foot, tracing my muscles. “Yes.” His eyes never leave mine.
“Were Payson and Laz there that night as well?”
“Yes.” His hands move to my calf, stealing my breath away, which isn’t helpful when I am trying to think of questions.
“Where’s Runa?”
