Page 38 of Beta Lies and Cursed Lives
I peer at the tablet, just a squint, and push the image into the device with my mind, using so much might I nearly grunt with effort. But I need to stay silent.
The instant the image from my mind appears on the tablet, a life-sized replica of Mira’s eye, I slam my eye shut and cover it again, breath coming hard, excitement mixed with awe. Yet, no time to reflect on what I’d done. Clock ticking, I feel for the lock and its smooth scanner, just as I do when entering my own dorm, only my lock is set to fingerprints so I don’t destroy anyone’s tech in the hallway. I align the tablet with the scanner and slowly move it from side to side, then up and down, not daring to uncover my eyes again now that the first part of my plan actually worked.
As my frustration grows, my teeth clench, and I’m ready to take that chance after all when the quiet chirp of the lock goes off, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
Heart racing, I turn the door handle and quietly step inside Mira’s room, closing the door with a soft click at my back.
Although the surroundings are foreign, I can feel her presence. I know where she’s sleeping, can hear her breathing. My heart aches, longing to be near her. And I grant its wish.
At Mira’s bedside, I gently put my hand on her leg above the covers, that tingle returning to my eyes that I’d felt the first day I’d touched her, when I learned her touch neutralized my curse. I tear the cloth from my eyes, my vision already used to the darkness. My hand still on her thigh, I place the tablet on her nightstand and sit on the edge of her bed. The movement sends her luscious scent through the room in awhooshfrom beneath her covers, and my mouth waters.
The pale golden light from the collar around her neck casts an ethereal glow on her face, and as beautiful as it is, I want to tear the device from her body. The beast inside me that I’d never known existed before Mira Amato entered my life begins to growl in my chest, clawing at my ribs like a caged animal.
It wants Mira, body and soul. But more importantly, it wants her freedom. All of our freedom.
I couldn’t agree more.
I’d made the decision more than a week ago, and now that I’m here in Mira’s room, looking down at her sleeping form, there’s no way I am backing down.
Mira and I are meant for one another. I know it with every atom. And if I have to live the rest of my life never able to touch her, then I’d rather die right now.
If I do die, she may hate me for the rest of her life. I’d be causing her pain. But I know it will work.
I know it.
With great care, I shift to lie on my side on top of the covers, my hand gently sliding upward, never breaking the connection.
When she lets out a small sigh, her head turns toward me. The moment her eyes flutter open, I whisper, “Daisuki desu,”and place my bare palm on her horrified face.
Miranda
My scream dies before it even leaves my lips.
Rai. His hand is on my face. My flesh. And he’s...still him. Solid and warm.
The kind, gorgeous smile he gives me makes tears spring to my eyes, which I close as I nuzzle into his palm, my lips gliding along his skin.
I should be furious with him. He had no idea he would live after touching me.
The anger doesn’t come, though, as I look at his face again and see the love there. The adoration.
He leans in, touches his forehead to mine, and breathes, “I would die a thousand deaths for one chance to touch you.”
The tears flow now, gravity taking them across my face to the pillow below. That ache in my chest isn’t born of sadness but of love. Acceptance. Things I’ve never experienced before.
I don’t know who moves first, but our lips touch, tentative and soft. A simple press; a graze that increases in pressure until our mouths open, tongues seeking one another out. And when Rai pulls my body taut against his, the blanket a barrier between us, I’m frantic to pull my gloves from my hands and fling them across the room. My fingers dive into his snowy hair, even softer than I dared to imagine.
A thought nags at the back of my mind that I have no idea what I’m doing, but surely Rai knows, given my curse. Still, I pull away with reluctance, pressing my forehead back to his, both our coming breaths hard and fast. “I must be really awkward at this,” I whisper.
His head tilts slightly. “I didn’t notice. Not like I’ve ever kissed someone before.”
This confession sends a jolt of surprise through my spine. “Really? But you’re so…”
One brow rises in question. “So...what?”
“Beautiful.”
The deep chuckle that flows from his lips does dangerous things to my body. “You’re one to talk.”
