… sadness.
She was back in my arms where she was supposed to be.Where I knew she belonged. But that didn’t take away from the danger of our world.
This had happened because of Father. The king. The one who still ruled over the entire realm.
Who’s to say it wouldn’t happen again?
Who’s to say it wouldn’t be because ofme?
I wanted to run away with her more than anything… But would that be enough to save her?
No. It won’t.
“Oros is waiting for you at home,” I said, cursing myself when her face lit up.
“Home,” she breathed. “Let’s go home.”
25
OROS
Everything was ready.
I looked over Eve’s room once more, memorizing her smell. Remembering the time she’d pulled me inside.
The things she made me feel.
The way her warmth seeped into my body.
Shesawme when no one else did. After a lifetime of people onlyseeing Eros, she looked at me and liked what she saw.
She gave up a lot for us. She saw and did things she shouldn’t have had to. In a blink of an eye, she’d been taken from us, and even then, I heard her. I knew she hadn’t been thinking about herself.
Please don’t do this to them. They don’t deserve any more pain!
Her words had absolutely shattered the cold barrier surrounding my heart.
She was too good for this world. It would only put her in danger.
She’s too good for us.
And once Father knew what we had done, there would beno going back. She would become an even bigger target than she already was.
I heard them in the hallway, and I knew they were safe. Eros and Eve pushed through the door, and when Eve met me with a smile, I could swear I heard my heart breaking.
She ran to me, pulling me into her arms. Even underneath the dirt of the godforsaken place Father had taken her to, her scent was unmistakable.
I will never forget it.
I wrapped my arms around her and inhaled deeply. She was safe.Finally.The worry gripping my entire being lessened just a little bit. I pulled back to get a look at her face.
“I’m sorry, Eve.” I gave her a sad smile. “I’m happy you’re safe.”
She gave me a smile back. I couldn’t help but notice how one side of her face was a little redder than the other. How there were signs of slight bruising and small claw marks grazed her beautiful face.
I looked at Eros, and my murderous glare matched hers.
They had dared touch her.
