Page 49 of Forever Midnight

“Was it love at first sight?”

“For one of us, yes.” The memories rush back, tightening my chest. “I had never seen someone so beautiful until that night.”

“What was beautiful about him?” Tru asks, dragging his fingers down my chest.

“Physically, he was stunning. He had blond curls and green eyes, flawless skin, and a pretty pink mouth.”

“You have a thing for blonds then?” Tru asks, winking.

I chuckle. “Yeah, I guess I do.”

“Tell me more, Midnight.”

“Benedict was very intelligent, but not in the boring academic way of so many other smart people. He was worldly, but curious. He devoured knowledge simply for his own enrichment.”

“So hot and smart. I get it.”

“He was both. I pursued him aggressively, nearly obsessed with getting close to him.”

Tru watches me as I speak, his eyes searching mine, his attention somehow drawing the words from my lips.

“I’ve never spoken about him since it ended. It hurt too much, but I want to tell you about him.”

“I’m listening.”

Nodding, I play with Tru’s fingers as I continue. “Benedict came from a powerful family. His father practically owned the city.”

“What city?”

“Marseille in France.”

“France,” Tru whispers.

“We shared so many beautiful nights together,” I continue. “Which suited me.”

“You always preferred midnight,” Tru says.

“Yes, but as time went on, I knew I wanted to be with him forever. I confessed my undying love, told him all my secrets and flaws. I felt safe.”

Tru’s brow crinkles. “What happened?”

“He couldn’t accept…aspects of who I am.” My chest twists with the pain I still keep there. “Not only that, but he wouldn’t ever tell his family about his desires.”

Tru’s expression is pure sadness. “Shit.”

“But he loved me, and I loved him. He tried, he really did, but when faced with the reality of what life would be like with me, he chose…” Unable to speak the words, I fall silent, pressing my forehead to Tru’s chest.

Tru’s hand cards through my hair as he kisses the top of my head. “What did he choose, Midnight? You can tell me.”

Can I? Painful memories rack my body, the beast within me crying out for the one true love we lost. Yet, right now, with Tru’s warm body wrapped around me, I feel able to push on. To speak the words that have been buried inside me for centuries.

“He, um, he…” I clear my throat as my voice breaks. “He chose death.”

Tru gasps, then blows out a shaky breath. “Fuck. Oh, shit. Midnight. I’m so sorry.”

“I never forgave myself for robbing the world of his beauty,” I whisper, clinging to Tru now. “It was my fault. I pushed him to make such a terrible choice, when I should have just left. As soon as I knew we could never be…Why didn’t I leave?”

“Because you loved him,” Tru says, pulling back enough to cup my face. “You loved him.”

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