"But I was hurting worse than I thought possible. I never knew how much I was missing in life until I had you. When I thought it had all been just a ploy to get to Castine, it felt like someone had ripped my heart out and set it on fire. I wanted to hurt you as badly as you hurt me. I can't apologize enough, and I'll figure out a way to make this right."
I look away, unable to meet his eyes any longer. "This wasn't ever meant to be, Kane. I think we should both try to move on. If we had known the truth about each other-"
"Then we never would have attempted to be with each other," he interrupts, bringing my eyes back up to meet his by tilting my chin. "That's whywe weremeant to be with each other."
"That makes no sense." I sigh, trying to look away again, but he cups my face in his hand so softly, keeping me pinned to his gaze.
"It does if you think about it, Alyssa. Fate intervened, but you aren't looking at the obvious. In our world, a night stalker with a witch is preposterous, but fate pushed us together, leading the other to think they were falling for a human. The odds of such a connection forming while the other remains unaware of the secrets hidden in plain sight are astronomical. We fell in love. You just refuse to admit how real it all was, so you're using Gage as a beard for your true feelings. You're allowed to be with him. It's normal to fall for one of your own - even if there is a light division."
I shake my head, but he keeps drawing me closer, reminding me how good his touch feels.
"It's more than that, Kane. Gage understands me. He knows things about me that I could never tell you."
"Alyssa, you can tell me anything. You know you can trust me."
His thumb strokes my lower lip as his eyes stare into mine with fearless abandon. I know better than to tell anyone I'm Drackus's daughter. Gage only knows because he already knew. I never would have told him myself.
He only knew because his mother is marrying my father - which is still creepy. He doesn't judge me the way most would. He doesn't fear me or what I could become. Kane would. He'd be appalled by the very idea of my existence and terrified of the monster I could be - ironically enough.
"I trust you, Kane, and I know you'd never use it against me, but there are things about me I never share with anyone. Gage knows, but he knew about me before he knew me. It's different. It's freeing."
He tilts his head, curiosity forming. "Has this got something to do with Drackus?"
"No." It has everything to do with Drackus. "Just leave it alone."
"Alyssa, I know Drackus and you aren't merely acquainted because of his old affections for your mother. He's not that generous orfeeling. People involved with Drackus usually owe him for something he's done for them. What's your debt? Maybe I can help you pay it off."
My debt is my birthright. There's no such thing aspaying it off.
"It's so much more complicated than that," I say with an exasperated huff.
"Whatever it is, I can deal with it. I promise."
"Like you dealt with my being a witch? You'll jump to conclusions, and I'll be left getting berated just as before."
He frowns, his brow creasing to emphasize his exhaustion with my constant little stabbing reminders of his past attacks.
"All you can do is trust me, Alyssa. I can't prove anything to you until you trust me enough to open up."
I won't give him the chance to prove himself wrong. I know better than to think people will be accepting. I've heard his view on my father. I'm not going to have him look at me the way he looks at Drackus.
"Let's focus on one set of problems at a time. We'll start with the blond bitch playing with fire."
To add a little drama to that, I use my magic to light all the candles in the kitchen, making Kane laugh lightly while releasing his hold on me.
"We could have a lot of fun once you're immortal, Alyssa. Think about that," he says while walking off.
"Hey, whoa. What is that supposed to mean?" I chirp while following behind him.
"You won't be so fragile then," he says with a devious smile as he turns to walk backwards, his eyes daring me to play. I blush slightly, and he continues, "Plus, once you're immortal, your blood won't be addictive, which means you could taste poison's kiss all you want. I think we both know you like the bite."
My body heats up and the mirror offers me a view of the random shades flipping through my eyes. Kane gives me a devilish wink before sitting down on the couch. Something tells me this is going to be a long day.
