Relinquish(87)

The memory of seeing him so badly beaten, lying helplessly on the floor, makes my stomach turn sour. I cling to him, trembling. “I saved you. I don’t know how, but I did.”

He leans back, staring deep into my eyes. “When you looked at me, I knew you didn’t really know me.”

“I know.” He reaches up to wipe away my tears. “It was like being trapped in a cell with no walls, no doors. I screamed and screamed, but I couldn’t stop what was happening. It was like a fog had fallen over my mind. I was confused, especially when I saw you. I knew you felt familiar. Oh, God!” I clasp my hand over my mouth as I sink down onto the bed.

“What’s wrong?”

“What if I hadn’t stopped Drakon? You might be in a prison somewhere right now, or worse. Oh, Bastien.” I cling to him, tugging at his torn shirt, needing his strength. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

His breath unsettles my hair as he presses his cheeks against my head. “You can. I’ve always had faith in you.” Placing his hand over my heart, he smiles. “Aloysius may have control over your mind, but he can’t touch this. Not your soul, not who you really are. Kyan said once you were near Aloysius, you would be his for good. And yet here we sit, normal and of free mind. Doesn’t that prove something?”

I listen to his words, wishing I could turn back time, or at least wipe away my memories. “You aren’t supposed to be here. My vision…”

“Can’t be changed,” he says, drawing back. “I had a lot of time to think after Drakon got done pounding on me, and do you want to know what I realized?” He pushes me back gently so he can look into my eyes. “I was right. You are worth dying for.”

“No.” I drop my head, feeling as if all is lost. “I won’t let this happen.”

He gently lifts my chin. His smile is sad but content. “I’m a tough guy to kill. Haven’t you figure that out by now?”

I laugh and nod. “You do seem to get lucky a lot.”

“Luck.” He scoffs. “When are you going to learn that I’m awesome?”

I glance away, feeling my throat constrict. “I never forgot.”



I stare down at the crimson dress that Alesta has laid out for me and sigh. Same design. Same painfully sheer top. “What is it with guys and breasts?” I mutter.

“I heard that,” Bastien calls from the other side of the door. We haven’t spoken all afternoon, not after my little reminder of topics that neither of us are comfortable discussing at the moment. Despite Bastien revealing that he’s still in love with me, neither of us have spoken about it since then. I simply don’t know what I can say that will make any of this less painful. Having him here with me is the complete opposite of what I wanted, yet I couldn’t imagine going through this without him. “And to answer your question, breasts are beautiful.”

“What?”

“I’m not strictly speaking about yours… not that there is anything wrong with yours,” he rushes to add. I can hear him pacing in his room. “Yours are, wow, totally perfect, but… I just… aw, crap…” He finally trails off. “Never mind. I’m an idiot.”

“No.” I smile at myself in the mirror. Red actually suits me rather well. “It’s kinda sweet.”

“Sweet?” He stops pacing. “Sweet as in brotherly affection sort of sweet or sweet as in you want to rip my clothes off and thank me for the compliment?”

I laugh and slip the top over my shoulders. The black lace that trims the bottom falls just over my ribs, making the curve of my waist look more slender than normal. Alesta has a good eye for fashion. “Which would you prefer?”

“Honestly.” He blows out a breath. I peek around the door to see him sink onto the bed and run his hand through his hair. He falls back and stares up at the ceiling. “I don’t know.”

I hide my smile as I push open the door, standing timidly in the doorway. I clear my throat. He rolls his head to the side, his eyes widening. “Definitely the clothes-ripping one.”

I cross my arms over my chest and lean against the door. “I feel so exposed in this.”

“Well…” He clears his throat and averts his gaze. “There’s, uh… there’s not a whole lot left for the imagination.”

I grab a pillow off the side chair and hurl it at him. “Hey! What was that for?”

“For stating the obvious.” I turn and exit his room. He quickly follows after and I can’t help but wonder if he is staring at my backside as I flee.