Page 191 of Gods of the Sea

“And your father?” I asked.

“He’s healing, but not…”

Her face fell. It wasn’t the face of a powerful siren but of a caring daughter struggling with the idea of losing her family.And if it wasn’t for her, my family would have been ruined. My brother and I wouldn’t now be making enough salary to take care of our parents. My brother would be dead. And I would still be a demon.

“If there’s anything you need,” I said, “please allow me to serve you as—”

I stopped. I couldn’t say what I wanted:As the man who loves you.

“As a servant of the king,” I finished.

She looked at me and sighed, visible pain in her eyes.

“Please don’t act like my servant,” she said. “Not when I look up to you.”

The teacup slipped from my hand, the hot water splashing on my shirt. In a moment, Esmeralda had jumped to her feet, a napkin in her hand to assist me. As we both scrambled to get the burning water out of my shirt, the skin underneath became exposed, showing off the burn marks that reminded us both that I had once been a demon.

Her gentle fingers grazed my skin.

“Do they still hurt?” she asked.

I pulled back, her touch making my whole body heat up.

“No,” I replied. “There is, however, something I still don’t understand.”

I looked into her eyes, far too eager to give my confession.

“Even with these runes etched into my skin,” I said, “you’re still the only thing I can think about.”

She answered only with silence, but I couldn’t control my honesty.

“I know I hurt you,” I said. “My darkness enslaved me, and I lashed out at you for it. But I wanted to say that with or without magic, you’re the one who has captured me the most. I realize that you’re engaged, and I don’t wish to make anything difficultfor you, but I had to tell you in person myself. I had to apologize for my actions and wish you the greatest happiness.”

I stood to my feet, realizing I had overstepped and that it was now time for me to leave.

“I wish you the greatest happiness, Esmeralda,” I said in closing. “I won’t forget—”

Suddenly I was in her embrace, her lips against mine.

I pulled back, too shocked for words. She smiled up at me, her arms around my neck.

“You fool,” she said. “How can you wish me great happiness when my greatest happiness is you?”

I swallowed, words rushing back to my lungs. “I hurt you,” I said.

“Do you still want revenge against me?”

“Of course not. Not when I—”

I stopped. She smirked knowingly, nudging me.

“Tell me?” she sang.

We both smiled. Her spell wouldn’t work on me, we both knew that. But she didn’t have to have me under a spell; she already knew I was hers.

“Because I’m in love with you,” I whispered. “Completely obsessed.”

She smiled brighter, the light in her eyes turning into my soul’s lighthouse.

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