The Dark Prince (The Dark Light Series)(62)

Morgan surfaces from her bedroom wearing a spicy red minidress and heels, her long weave fashioned into a bun atop of her head.

“Hey, I got you some food, but looks like you’ve got plans,” I remark from the carpeted living room floor where we’ve decided to eat our chicken strips and fries.

“Yeah, I’ve got a date. Don’t wait up,” she winks, grabbing her clutch purse and heading out.

“I can stay,” Jared says once we are alone.

“No. I’ll be fine.” He’s been texting all day, surely with Aurora, and has already given me so much of his time. There’s no telling what plans he had to bail on to come rescue me from myself.

After repeatedly assuring him that I won’t go off the deep end and drink myself stupid, Jared leaves to meet up with Aurora. I’m alone once again with my overwhelming guilt and remorse. I head to the cabinet to pour myself a drink and down three shots without blinking, desperately trying to squelch the rising urge to cry. Then I carefully bathe before climbing into bed and praying for the crippling pain that reaches to the depths of my core to subside.

***

I feel the soft, white sand between my toes, little granules glistening like tiny diamonds in the sunlight. The sun feels heavenly, heating my bare back like a warm, feather-light blanket. The sounds of crashing waves combined with the fresh, salty smell of seawater piques my memory. I’ve been here before. My eyes are closed, heavy with relaxation but I know where I am.

Skiathos.

I’m alone again, but I don’t feel lonely. I’m not afraid of this unknown, exotic land. I feel oddly comfortable here. I feel at home. I want to turn over onto my back so I can look up at the clear blue skies, but my body is so heavy and fatigued. And the sand is so soft and warm, I just can’t bring myself to disturb this perfect moment.

Suddenly, a cool, tingling sensation runs up and down my spine, causing me to lightly shiver. The contrast of the hot sun coupled with the coldness is delightfully titillating. I moan reflexively as the tingles spread out towards every nerve ending, igniting my carnal senses.

“I love you, little girl,” a velvety smooth voice murmurs in my ear. It’s a voice I know, a voice I want to hear for the rest of my life.

Dorian.

I force my heavy eyelids to flutter open to find the source of the angelic voice but am greeted with darkness instead. I am no longer on the beach. I am in my bedroom. However, I can still feel the icy tingles kissing my back and I lift my head in response. He’s here, tracing the outline of my tattoo with a single cool finger. I can’t see the expression on his face, only the twinkling depths of his azure eyes. Emotion instantly floods my chest, erupting into a strained sob.

“Dorian,” I choke, feeling hot tears pool in my tired eyes. The response startles him and he quickly kneels to meet my gaze.

“I’m here. Are you hurt?” he questions worriedly.

I don’t say a word. I’m afraid that if I do, he will disappear. I simply turn from my stomach onto my side and pull him onto the bed with me. He willingly obliges and we lay face to face, silently relishing the comfort of closeness. I let the cool freshness of his scent envelop me, the soft pads of his fingers wiping away my tears.

Having him here now makes me realize just how broken I was without him. Now I can breathe. Each of his touches strips away the anguish that was strangling me, draining the life right out of me. It’s now more apparent than ever that I can’t live without him.

“I’m sorry,” I finally say, once I am certain that I can contain myself.

I feel Dorian shift as if he’s shaking his head. “Don’t be. I shouldn’t have spoken to you in that manner. Forgive me. And you were right.”

“No, I wasn’t. I was absolutely wrong to say those things. I hate myself for it.” I lift my hand to stroke Dorian’s stubble-laden cheek. He nestles into the touch and inhales, breathing my essence. He needs me just as much as I need him. “I never want to fight again. I never want to be without you.”

“You won’t,” he breathes. “I’ll never leave you, Gabriella. I never did.”

Dorian’s fingers drift from my face down the curve of my side, making me remember that I’ve gone to bed topless to allow my tattoo to heal. My free hand flies up to my breasts reflexively yet Dorian quickly pulls it back down.

“Don’t ever hide from me. I love you, every inch of you, inside and out. You never have to shield your body. Or your heart.”

Dorian can see right through me, straight to my core. He knows the insecure, scared feelings I harbor deep inside. He knows my darkest secrets, my deepest regrets. He lives in me.