The Dark Prince(The Dark Light Series #2)(39)

"I can mark you, Gabriella. Much like the mark I wear but of course I would never bestow that curse on you." Dorian lets his fingers dance in the loose curls cascading over my shoulder and down to my breast. "Our kind has the ability to mark others as a sign of deep devotion and commitment. And love. Just something to show that you are mine. Forever."

"Geez, sounds a lot like getting married." Dorian's eyes are suddenly wide with shock and horror and I instantly regret even thinking the words. "Not that I want to get married, of course," I say hurriedly trying to erase the unease from his expression. "Tell me about this mark. Like, will regular people see it or just people like us?"

"It depends. Do you want everyone to see it?"

I think back to when I was reluctant to show the employees at Cashmere that we were together and the look on his face every time I pulled my hand away in public. It angered him, though part of me feels it hurt him more than anything else. He's been rejected his entire life by his own father. Centuries of feeling like a disappointment, an outcast. I want to prove to him that this is where he belongs. With me.

"Yes, I do," I nod, smiling. "I'd like that. You're not gonna scrawl your name on me or something, right?" Crap. Maybe I should have asked that before I agreed.

"No, not unless you want me to. I can give you anything you want." Dorian scoots forward, closing the small distance between our bodies. "Once you ascend, it's very possible that you will be marked. Whether that is the mark of the Dark, or something else entirely, I want to be etched in you first. I want you to see it every day and let it remind you of the immense love I have for you, little girl. Because there will be a time where I may not be around to tell you. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

I slowly nod though I am unable to fathom having to live without Dorian. I know better than to ask further questions, questions that could reveal the truth that we are both trying to conceal in order to save our lives.

"I'll do it. But only if you do it too." I want Dorian to be mine just as much as he wants me to be his. I want him to know that my love is with him always, in this life and the next.

Dorian perks into a sly smile. "So what did you have in mind?"

I bite my bottom lip and shift my eyes towards the ceiling as I try to imagine a symbol of our complicated love. Our need for each other, the hunger to constantly be in one another's presence is so intense, it's as if there is some unseen magnetic pull that keeps us conjoined. I can't even describe it; it goes beyond all things natural and logical.

"Anchors." When Dorian gives me a perplexed raise of his eyebrow, I continue. "I've always felt that we were anchored to each other in some uncanny way. No matter how we try to deny it, we can't fight the impulse. And I know it's more than some deep-seated, ancient attraction between the Light and the Dark. I need you." I look down, a bit embarrassed at my earnest admission but it's the truth. "Plus I think it's fitting considering the meaning of your name."

I feel a single cool finger on my chin, pulling my face up. Dorian's glittering baby blues meld with my hazels and his delicious lips spread into a broad smile. "I love it. And I feel the same way; I need you too. Whenever we're apart, all I can think about is holding you again. How I would give anything to be in your presence, even if it could very well kill me. We are anchored, little girl. We were made this way, made for each other. This is our destiny."

I try to stifle the swell of joyous emotion that tightens my throat. I honestly don't know what I have done to deserve the amazing creature lying beside me. Dorian is my destiny. Even with my impending ascension and the assassin trying to snuff me out, I feel so fortunate because I have him. If it weren't for my parents' unshakable love for each other, if it weren't for Dorian's defiance of his father, we would not be here now. It was destiny that Dorian was sent to kill me. Destiny that kept me uncertain of who I was and what I was meant for. Everything happens for a reason.

"So little girl, where should we place them?" he asks with a bright smile. Dorian looks so youthful and exuberant.

"Why don't you choose? I'm only good for one awesome idea a day," I jibe.

Dorian cocks his head to one side and runs a hand through his already disheveled after-sex hair. Geez, if he gets any hotter, I'll spontaneously combust!

"Right here," he says pointing to the spot below his thumb, right before the back of his hand meets his palm. "That way, whenever our fingers are intertwined, our anchors will be side by side. Forever anchored to the other."

I break into an amorous smile and nod, offering my right hand. I can hardly wait to wear Dorian's mark, to literally have him engraved in me forever. He takes my hand and kisses every knuckle sweetly. Then in an inconceivably swift movement, he's sitting upright, still holding my hand with his left. He holds up his right index finger and suddenly it is alight with electric blue flames. I am instantly captivated by it, unable to look away. Dorian's magic completely enthralls me.

"Be still, little girl. It won't hurt much but it may be a little jolting," he says.

"Have you done this before?" I ask meekly.

Dorian cocks his head to one side before shaking his head, a sexy grin playing at his lips. "No. I have never wanted to mark anyone. Just like you are the first I have ever linked my life to. These acts are incredibly rare for my kind."

A frown creeps onto my face. "Why?" I sit up as well, my long waves dangling at my breasts.

"We don't love easily. You can imagine how difficult it is for us to commit our lives to merely one person, to give and love unselfishly. I never thought I could, honestly. I never had any interest in that level of commitment. But then I found you … " he trails off, lost in his own memory. "You have permanently altered me. Two and a half centuries and it takes a twenty year old girl to change my life." He shakes his head, smiling disbelievingly.

His words, so earnest and heartfelt, spark the intrusion of doubt unexpectedly. If I were just an ordinary girl, not an immortal magical being, not expected to be the most powerful force ever created, would he still want me? Would he love me if I were human? Are we only anchored by our love? Is it actually me, Gabriella, that he desires, or is it the Dark Light?

Dorian reads the anxiety on my face and his brow furrows. "You don't have to do it if you don't want to," he mutters.

I try to mask my unease with a smile and nod. "No, I'm ready. Mark me, baby," I wink.

Amused by my playful banter, Dorian brings my hand up, turning it gently to the side. I hold my breath as he carefully lowers his ignited finger to my creamy skin. It initially shocks me and I struggle to maintain my composure. It doesn't hurt yet it isn't exactly pleasant either. It is … jolting, like he said. The sensation can only be best described as burning cold.

Dorian concentrates on making even, level strokes with his finger against my skin. His touch leaves behind visible bluish ink etched deeply into my flesh. When he is finished a mere few seconds later, a small dark blue anchor no larger than a quarter rests on my right hand. It's simple, beautiful and profound. Perfect.

"Do you like it?" Dorian asks, almost timidly. I finish assessing my new piece of artwork before launching myself into his arms and joining his mouth with mine. It's virtually painless and I let both my hands roam his hard bare back and shoulders passionately. Dorian cups the soft flesh of my backside in response and I instantly feel his manhood awaken.

I pull away, smiling brightly at my beautiful lover. "I love it. And thank you for letting me spend your birthday with you."

After Dorian has marked his own hand, he joins it with my right, intertwining our fingers. Our twin anchors are identical in every way and I am overjoyed at the prospect of carrying a piece of Dorian with me for the rest of my life, though he has shown that he is dreadfully opposed to more conventional shows of commitment. I frown at the memory.

"What's wrong?" he asks me, noting the aggravation on my face. Shit, I really need to learn to control my emotions. I shake my head, not wanting to ruin the moment, or his birthday. My trivial girl worries will have to wait.

"Oh, come on. Don't be shy. You know I'll find out one way or another."

Again I just shake my head, not wanting to delve into the murkiness in my mind. Live in the moment, Gabs.

Dorian reaches out and strokes my cheek gently. "Please, little girl. Tell me," he whispers.

The sentiment and yearning in his voice catches me off guard and I look up at him, startled. So much emotion that I can't even begin to comprehend washes over him. What happened to keeping things light and casual? His intensity is staggering.

I take a deep breath and look down at my hands, resting on my naked thighs. "When I mentioned marriage, you looked like you were horrified, disgusted at the idea. I'm not saying that's what I want. I've never even put much thought into it. But it just kinda caught me off guard, how upset you looked. Like you could never imagine marrying someone like me."

There. I said it. When Dorian doesn't respond, I take the liberty to finish my sullen thoughts while I still have the courage. "It's probably for the best anyway. No one will ever want to marry me, considering what I am. Especially since I can't have children."