“Vaz,” Ella whispered. “Vaz, I-I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.” Tears welled in her eyes, slid down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry.”
He stared at her with empty eyes, then looked away. When he spoke, his voice was soft, almost gentle. “There is nothing to be done about it now.” He turned his horse toward the forest.
“Wait,” said Ella.
He stopped and looked over his shoulder. “Let me come with you.”
He was silent.
“Please,” she said.
“Why?”
“Because I can’t stand to go back there, knowing what they did to you, knowing they still hate you and fear you, just because you were born different. I can’t be one of them anymore.” Another tear ran down her cheek.
“Do you know what you are asking? If you come with me now, you can never return.”
“I know.”
His jaw tightened. “You should despise me,” he said, his voice flat and hoarse. “I dirtied you, took your innocence, destroyed your life for one night of selfish pleasure, and for my own petty revenge. When you came to me, I saw in your face the faces of those who had killed my mother and cast me out. I committed the same sin as my enemies, fell prey to the same blind prejudice. What I did to you was unforgivable.”
“It wasn’t like that,” she said. “It wasn’t just revenge.”
“How do you know? For that matter, how do you know that I am telling the truth about what happened? I would think you would believe your people over me.”
“I believe my own heart,” she said quietly. “And I know in my heart that you aren’t evil, Vaz. As soon as I saw you, I… I was afraid of you, but I was captivated, as well, captivated by your strength, your touch, the way you could be so fierce and yet so gentle. You’re not like the villagers. You’re more alive, and when I’m with you, you make me feel more alive, like I can cast aside all my fears and soar free. You made me understand that pleasure isn’t a sin to be avoided, but a joy to be embraced. I think deep inside, I always knew I was discontent, that I wanted more, but until I met you, I never knew what that ‘more’ was.”
His eyes stared into hers, searched hers. “What of your family?”
“They already look at me like I’m a stranger. They don’t approve of what I did, that I went to you for help, even though you saved us all. I --” Her throat knotted up. She swallowed, hard. “I don’t think I can live there anymore. I always knew I would leave the village one day, anyway. I felt, somehow, that my destiny was elsewhere.” She squared her shoulders. “I want to go back with you, Vaz.”
For a long moment, he was silent, looking at her with those unreadable eyes as he scrutinized her soul. She looked back, hiding nothing. She opened her heart to him, let him see all her feelings, her horror and sadness over what the villagers had done to him, her fear and uncertainty, her gratitude that he had saved them all, despite what they’d done, her powerful feelings for Vaz himself.
“You are sure?” he said quietly.
“I’m sure.”
He stretched out a hand to her. She dismounted and took his hand. He pulled her onto his horse, then gave Ella’s mare a light swat on the rump. Maggie tossed her head, snorted and galloped back toward the village.
Ella wrapped her arms around Vaz’s waist, heart thumping. She could scarcely believe what she was doing. It was madness, yet somehow, it felt right.
Vaz turned his upper body to look into her eyes. His warm, firm lips molded themselves to hers. She closed her eyes. Her lips parted, and his hot, wet tongue delved inside. A shiver raced down her spine. Her heartbeat quickened. Heat rushed to her core and pooled between her thighs. When he finally pulled back, she was breathless. “So beautiful,” he whispered. His thumb traced her lower lip. “I did not believe I was capable of feeling anymore. You proved me wrong. I hardly know you, yet somehow, you have found your way into my heart.” His ruby eyes stared into hers. Desire flared in them, hot as flame. “Be warned. Once I have you, I will not let go. I intend to keep you by my side… and in my bed.”
A flush rose into her cheeks. “I would have it no other way.”
“Even after what I did to you? After I treated you with such cruelty?”
“Cruelty?” She laughed breathlessly. “You introduced me to pleasures I never dreamed of. You made my body sing. Now that I’ve tasted your touch, I can’t go back.”
“That is the cruelty,” he said quietly. “If you choose to be with me, you can never return to your people. Even if you return, you have been tainted forever in their eyes. I took you from them. I offered you no choice.”
She shook her head. “I chose this, Vaz. I sought you out. I was prepared to make any sacrifice necessary. I just didn’t expect the sacrifice to be so sweet.”
He looked at her, naked pain in his eyes. “I do not deserve you. You are too good. Too kind.”
“This is what I want. There’s nothing for me back there.” She cast one final glance toward the village, then looked up at Vaz. Her arms tightened around his waist. “Let’s go home.”
Amanda Steiger
Amanda Steiger has lived in the Midwest her whole life, though she enjoys regular visits to other galaxies and dimensions in her mind. She enjoys cold weather, daydreaming, supernatural romance, and anime. She lives with her family and one very spoiled little dog. You can contact her at [email protected].
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