Page 26 of Lord of Eternal Night (Darkmourn Universe 1)

“There is something different about him.”

Me.

“If this has anything to do with Katharine…”

Marius emitted a low growl from the back of his throat. “Tread carefully.”

“Put your teeth away,” she said, dismissively. “They cannot harm me. But they can hurt him.”

I slowly peered around the corner, hoping to catch a glimpse of the speaker as it hit me where I had heard her before. Beyond the bedroom door during my first morning.

“It is inevitable. For years we have tried to break this curse, yet it always ends the same way. Can I not allow myself one year off from behaving?”

“You make it sound like you are a dog on a leash, Marius.”

“Am I not?”

“You are a beast in a locked cage. And there is nothing you can do to break out of it. I will not stand in your way again if this is the path you are going to choose with him. You asked this of me, and I knew a time would come when you would resist. Just know that we will not appear for you when the deed is done, and the blood warms your belly. You can deal with the consequences alone this time.”

I jumped at the sound of bone slamming into brick. If it was not for the crack that followed I was certain they would have heard my gasp. Then Marius spoke quietly, so soft I nearly missed it.

“It is his name.”

“I knew it had a part to play,” she replied softly.

“I feel as if he was sent here as punishment. This is the hundredth year without him yet the pain still cuts deep.” A strange chill fell over me. As Marius spoke, I felt the effects of the wine slip away.Who are you speaking about?“His name is not the only similarity, which is making it harder for me to distinguish the difference. Perhaps I am simply weary.”

“We are all tired, Marius.”

“And I am sorry for that, truly.”

The girl chirped a laugh. “Do not apologise again. I have heard it enough. You should retire for the day, perhaps some time to clear your head will help you make a decision on which actions to take.”

“Have I ever told you how truly blessed I am to have your council, Victorya?”

She laughed again, echoed by the deep, hearty chuckle of Marius. “Who knew the Lord of Eternal Night would be taking guidance from a child.”

“Wise, but a child nonetheless.”

“You forget yourself. If I was still alive my wisdom would be reflected by my appearance. I have you to thank for my own everlasting youth.”

Still alive. Her words thundered through me. The urge to interrupt them and reveal myself was strong, all to get a simple glance at the speaker. But I couldn’t. I had to stay unseen so Marius would not know of the upper hand I had just obtained from listening.

He was falling for me and I had barely begun. That was enough to satisfy me. I left them, calling upon the dank air in the corridor to muffle my footfalls as I left for the dining hall again. My magic thrummed through my body as I willed the air to thicken beneath my feet and the slabbed floor. Before I knew it I was back through the dining hall, leaving the door how I had found it.

I would sleep well with the knowledge I had obtained. The weapon in which Marius had unknowingly handed to me.

With a smile plastered across my face, I clambered back to his room and into his bed, revelling in the warmth of the sheets. My chest felt light and free of worry, making it easier to slip into sleep. But as I fell into the darkness I could not rid myself of the face that haunted me.

One that seemed to glow as if moonlight was woven through his alabaster skin.

Marius.

His fingers were tendrils of ice, leaving imprints of frozen burns beneath his touch. Marius held my gaze as his hand trailed up my thigh, effortlessly moving the sheets out of his way. My breath hitched. His mouth parted, exposing the points of his canines.

“Tell me to stop.”

I stared deeper into him, shaking my head slightly. “No.”

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