Madman’s Cure: Madman Duet Book Two
Page 33
Every second with her is a gift I’ll cherish forever, because I know what it’s like to live without it. She is my sunlight in the day, my moonlight in the darkness. She is forever engraved in my heart, because this dark monster loves only her.
I’ll never be completely okay, even though everyone now knows the truth about Eachann. Eunan still makes appearances, but according to Arianna, he mostly stays by Von, gazing at him for hours before switching back with me. Like always, I don’t have any memory of these moments. She says they might even become friends, because they share the same taste in literature.
My need for blood and the desire to kill didn’t go anywhere either. I still bring destruction to those who in my mind deserve it while enjoying their cries of agony.
She accepts it, telling me that she can live with it as long as I remember I’m loved, which means I have to always be careful.
She is the woman who loves me, not despite my sins, but with them, forgiving me for being just a human and loving every part of me for who I am.
What more could a man like me—who never even hoped for anything with her—wish for?
Bringing her closer to the altar, I lean in a little to caress my son’s cheek with my knuckles, and he looks up at me. I give him a soft wink, and then my eyes travel up to lock with Arianna’s. “I love you,” I say, and she sighs, tears forming in her violet pools, because she is still not used to hearing the words from my lips.
I’m learning to speak them more freely, because I live to make her happy.
“I love you too,” she whispers, and I rest my forehead against hers for a second before I turn my attention to the priest, who begins the ceremony.
My life is a darkish bliss where the villain gets his princess, conquering the tower and slaying all the dragons despite the princess’s resistance.
And somewhere along the way, the princess fell in love with the villain despite his sins, giving her heart and soul to him, which he will cherish for eternity.
Eachann
I see my twin smile at his wife when the priest pours water over my nephew’s head. As the ceremony continues, everyone is watching in awe, except my brother.
He glares at the priest; he doesn’t appreciate that his son is crying.
That’s my brother though, always the protector.
Arianna claps her hands, excitement shining on her face, as it is with Laura who is filming the entire process. And for the first time in years, I see some of the sorrow gone from her.
Although I’m not sure it’s for long, considering her professor and his needs.
That’s a story for another time though, one I won’t see much of, because my time has come.
To finally leave this earth and accept the welcome heaven has granted me.
The blinding light from the door calls my name, luring me toward it while happiness spreads through me, alerting me to the fact that my suffering has ended too.
Finally, my soul can rest knowing Eudard is not here alone; he is reunited with the girl he has always loved.
Seeing him this happy is everything, all I ever wanted for him… all I could hope for… because for years, I watched him succumb to insanity, and I feared he wouldn’t be able to dig himself out.
But I never should have doubted the power of love.
The calling of my name intensifies, and I exhale heavily, memorizing the features of my loved ones forever, finding peace in the knowledge that they have put me to rest. They have accepted my death as part of the inevitable chain of events.
Allowing me to leave this earth freely.
I move toward the light, pausing when I pass my Eudard, who stills, probably feeling me on some level, even if he doesn’t see me or can explain it.
He exhales, rubbing his heart, and I whisper, “I love you, brother. Goodbye.” From now on, he doesn’t need me by his side, because he has his phoenix who won’t let him fall.
He doesn’t need his alter to pretend I’m alive, because he knows I will always live in his heart.
And he doesn’t have to hate himself for living this life when I couldn’t.
Because my life hasn’t been tragic. Everyone has their own destiny, and mine has been being my brother’s hope.
He has one now, and he doesn’t need me silently helping him out.
What more could I have wished for?
With that, I stroll closer to the light, open up my arms wide, and smile to the blinding brilliance, no longer resisting my fate, because I know my loved ones are happy.
“I’m ready,” I whisper. Light fills me completely while slowly all thoughts fly away, the sky pulling me higher and higher as almost everything becomes a blur.
But somewhere in that blur, Eudard’s barely audible voice brings a bigger smile to my face when I hear him say, “I love you too, brother.” With my heart overflowing with love, I disappear to the place that has waited long enough for me.
With that, this twisted tale about twins comes to an end.
As both of them found the peace for which they so yearned.
One here in the mortal world with the woman he loves.
The other with God, watching over them from above.
The End
Turn the page for an excerpt from Lachlan’s Protégé.
Lachlan’s Protégé Excerpt
Valencia
My eyes snap open. I look straight ahead and take a deep breath, then step into a pose. I’m illuminated by the moonlight shining brightly into the room from the glass-like ceiling above me. This silent space is filled with a mysterious atmosphere, creating an almost-perfect setting for a romantic evening.
The familiar first notes of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake echo through the room, and I assume the position, rising on my toes and swaying from side to side while slowly moving to the corner. I hop on my toes again, owning the stage as if nothing matters, blocking the outside world away.
To each dramatic note, I perform with my hands and facial expressions, giving away all the hopelessness of the swan, the beautiful young woman Odette, who’s been captured by the dark sorcerer and can’t be reunited with her lover.
The pain and heartache fuel her desire to fight against him, so she feeds on them even if they threaten to destroy her.
I swirl and swirl, rising up and down, up and down, and then a cry of pain slips past my lips as my feet land on glass. I halt my movements, barely breathing from the glass digging into my skin.
I glance down to see my white pointe shoes slowly coating in blood from all the scattered glass covering the floor; if one is careful enough to avoid it, he is a master.
My feet agonizingly throb. I can barely stand on them. My rasping breaths help me to concentrate on something other than the pain.
I’ve been doing nothing but dancing for the last hour. I’ve never performed for this long without a break in my life.
The sound of the lighter flicking fills the space as he lights up his cigarette, takes a deep breath, and exhales it in my direction while resting comfortably on the chair right in front of me. “Ah, Valencia. You know the rules. Never stop.” His deep, dangerous voice raises goose bumps on my skin, reminding me once again that the monster never sleeps.
He just feeds on my misery.
He tugs on the rope wrapped tightly around my waist and I stumble forward. I can’t help the groan of pain when he directs me onto the big pile of glass. The air freezes in my lungs while I pray for the hurt to pass so I can continue.
But I can’t.
Instead, fear unlike anything before spreads through me. Injuries like this may ruin a dancer’s career forever, and if I don’t have dancing, I won’t have anything in this life.
But he knows that.
Another tug. This time, I can’t keep up. I land on my knees, biting my lip hard so I won’t groan when the bare skin on my palms and knees land on the glass.
“Get up,” he orders, but I don’t.
He can dish any punishment he wants. God knows the cuts and throbb
ing skin are an indication of that. But I won’t let him taint the one thing in my life that I love the most.
He’s already taken everything else; he doesn’t get to have ballet too.
He exhales heavily at my disobedience and rises, straightening his perfectly ironed three-piece suit, then walks to me as his expensive Italian leather shoes make an unmistakable sound against the floor.
With each step he takes, my heartbeat speeds up faster and faster to the point of feeling it in my throat. He places the metal head of his cane under my chin and lifts it up.
I meet his stare head on. I hate everything about this man.
Or at least I hope it’s hate.
“So that’s your choice?” he asks as his lazy gaze roams over me, but I say nothing.
I won’t give him the last part of me that matters.
Even if it seals my death tonight.
Click here for Lachlan’s Protégé.
Acknowledgments
First, I want to thank God and my family for allowing me to write and make this dream possible. The support means so much to me, and I understand that sometimes it drives you crazy, especially when I try to meet my deadlines and seem unavailable to you. But I love you guys and appreciate everything you do for me.
When I started their story I knew their journey wouldn’t be easy but I didn’t expect my heart to break several times while writing it. I’m so happy they finally have their happy ending. I hope you enjoyed reading this duet.
Huge thank you to Hot Tree Editing team for helping me with my editing process. Especially Becky, Donna, Peggy, Kayla and Mandy. Plus beta readers and final eyes, who gave me valuable feedback and made sure I covered any plot holes I had.
Thank you to Sommer Stein, Wander Aguiar and Chris Flemming for the fabulous cover.
Heather Roberts, thank you for being with me during this release every step of the way.
L.Woods PR thank you for hosting my cover reveal and release blitz.
Thank you Candi Kane for hosting my blog tour.
Thank you to my reader group, ladies you are amazing!
Thank you to all the bloggers for spreading the word about this duet and leaving reviews.
And finally to all the readers who took a chance on this journey of love between Madman/Eudard and Cassandra/Arianna. Thank you to each one of you.
Also by V. F. Mason
Dark Romance
Sociopath’s Obsession
Sociopath’s Revenge
Psychopath’s Prey
Lachlan’s Protégé
Micaden’s Madness
Callum’s Hell
Madman’s Method
Mafia Romance
Pakhan’s Rose
Pakhan’s Salvation
Sovietnik’s Fury
Brigadier’s Game
Kaznachei’s Pain
FREE Book
His Broken Princess
Contact
Website: http://vfmason.com
Reader group : http://bit.ly/2iXZd0l