“Mr. Pierre? Could he have done something?”
“No, it wasn’t him. He has the gift of sight but he can’t use. The only thing I could think of would be if a powerful force of black magic actually was sacrificed for this one spell. But who would do that? Then I did some digging. You know about Morgan’s grandmother, right?”
“Right,” I answer meekly.
“She was very powerful for a priestess. But her life was short-lived. She died suddenly, a few years back. No one knew what caused her death. Do you know what triggered her sudden demise?”
I shake my head slowly. What is he getting at? “No, Dorian. I don’t.”
He looks at me with remorseful eyes, and reaches out to stroke my cheek. “Her son and his family moved to Colorado Springs. And her granddaughter instantly befriended another young lady. On the outside, this new friend seemed innocent enough. But her grandmother learned that this girl was very different. Very special. Very dangerous. And she sacrificed herself to give her family one last gift.”
Tears pool in my wide, horror-stricken eyes. “Morgan’s grandmother killed herself to protect Morgan from me?”
“Yes, my love. Do not be saddened. Even Morgan’s father does not know the truth and he never will. That form of magic is unnatural, and our kind avoids it all costs. She did us all a kindness, you will see.”
I look at Dorian in disbelief. “How can you say that? Her grandmother killed herself to protect Morgan from me! Killed herself! Am I that horrible, Dorian? Am I that much of a monster?”
“No, of course not! Don’t you dare think that this is your fault. People fear what they don’t understand. And you have to remember, you are not an ordinary person. You are a goddess amongst mere mortals. Shit, you are a goddess to me.”
Dorian’s words stop me up short. Again, he is right; I am not just some regular person on the street. People will fear me, and rightfully so. But to think that Dorian looks at me in such a high regard startles me. His love is enough. That is all the devotion I need.
“Do you fear me, Dorian?”
He looks away, pondering my question before meeting my gaze. “I only fear losing you. The Dark are fearless. We are one of the most powerful forces on Earth. There is virtually nothing to fear.”
Dorian brushes my cheek adoringly with the back of his hand, causing me to nestle into his touch. “But you, my love, hold the most powerful magic that this world has ever seen. And I am in love with you. You could easily decimate me by simply taking your love away.”
I look at Dorian in amazement, taken aback by his admission and wistful expression. I could hurt him? I don’t care about the magic I will ascend into on my 21st birthday. I don’t care about being the most feared force on Earth. All I want is Dorian. Hurting him- losing him- would crush me just like it would him.
“Dorian, I would never do that. You have to know that. And I would never physically hurt you. How could I?”
Dorian laughs heartily and I can’t help but feel relieved at his lightheartedness. “You just don’t get it, do you? By linking myself to you, I’ve made your emotions my own. But I’ve also allowed you access to my heart. You control it; it is yours. If you stopped loving me, it would literally kill me.”
Now I understand; I see why Aurora was so upset with Dorian for creating the bond. I could kill Dorian. If I suddenly decided that I didn’t want him anymore, he would die. I would never do that, but the thought that I hold that much power over his life terrifies me to my core.
“Dorian, why would you do that? How could you?”
“I told you, Gabriella. We die for love. It is not something we take lightly. So I really hope you are serious about your affections for me,” he laughs.
I look at him in disbelief. How can he take this so casually? “I would never do that, Dorian. I love you wholeheartedly. But I really wish you wouldn’t have done that. Don’t you know I have a reputation for being painfully indecisive and conflicted about my feelings? Not to mention, my fear of commitment.”
“I’m well aware of your human life, Gabriella,” he replies gravely.
I sigh and shake my head at my blunder. I really have a way with words. “I don’t mean it like that.” I reach both my hands out to cup his, squeezing a bit. “I’m not going anywhere. Ever. I’m just afraid of that much responsibility.”
Dorian looks at me questioningly, a smirk playing at his lips. “You better get used to responsibility. You do know what the Light have planned for you, right?”
“Is it any different than what the Dark want from me?”