Page 153 of The Curse Breakers

I jumped to my feet. “I’m not calling Collin.”

“Don’t be stubborn, Ellie.”

“You said I was the conjurer and that I could send them away on my own.”

“Idothink you’re the conjurer.” His breath came in short bursts. “I’m just frightened for you. I can honestly say I’ve never been more frightened in my life.”

“Why? Because you think I can’t do it?”

“No, because I’ve never risked losing something so precious to me.”

I grabbed his hands and held them between my own. “Why would my own father tell me to do this if I wasn’t going to be successful?”

“Does he know the future? Can you be certain?”

I hesitated.

“No. You can’t. You could die tonight.”

My shoulders stiffened, and I dropped his hands. “You knew the danger coming into this, David. Do you want to back out now?”

“Is that what you want?” he asked. “You want me to leave? Like everyone else?”

“That’s not fair!”

“It’s perfectly fair, but guess what? I’m not leaving you, Ellie. I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me.”

“Why?” I pleaded, trying to understand. “Why would you do this to yourself?”

“Because I love you.”

I grabbed the edge of the counter. “What?”

His eyes widened. He was obviously as surprised by his announcement as I was. His face softened. “I love you.”

“David.”

He took a step toward me. “I don’t expect you to say it back. I didn’t mean to say it at all.”

“I…” I tried to catch my breath. “How long have you known?”

“Longer than you would believe.” He leaned down and kissed me. “It doesn’t matter whether I said it or not. We need to focus on what needs to be done.”

I shook my head. “Don’t do that. Don’t minimize your feelings.”

“Ellie, I’m sorry. It slipped out. Now isn’t the time to discuss it.”

“No.” I looked up at him in shock. “Now is the perfect time to discuss it.”

“I know your soul is bound to Collin. I know I’ll always be second to him.” He took my hand. “I’m okay with that.”

My heart ached. “How could you be okay with that?” I knew that I would never be.

“Because I told you: I know beyond a shadow of a doubt thatyouare my destiny.”

I closed my eyes, feeling nauseated. I was so unworthy of his love and devotion.

“I’m thirty-one years old, Ellie, and I’ve never been in love before. Don’t go and die on me tonight and leave me brokenhearted.”

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