Lust

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

  “No!” Daisy’s yell echoed through the room.

  I ran my thumb over Daisy’s hand to calm her down. “If that’s what it takes.” I’d always thought my wings made me who I was, but I was wrong. I was more than a Pteron. I was a man, and I had a heart. “I would give my wings for a guarantee that Daisy would stay human, and we could live a life in peace.”

  “No! Don’t listen to him. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about!” Daisy yelled. She tried to pull her hand from mine. “You can’t do this, Owen. You’ll regret it, and you’ll end up hating me. I’m not worth it.” Tears streamed down her face.

  I took both of her hands in mine. “It’s completely worth it. You’re worth it and our love is. I told you we’d love each other forever, and I meant it.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “Not that.”

  “She’s right.” Roland walked over. I’d been so focused on Daisy and the Elders that I hadn’t noticed him. “You’ll regret it and hate her forever. Is that what you really want?”

  “Shut up.” I glared at him. “You want her to stay an Allure. Your opinion means nothing.”

  “I want her to have happiness, but I agree with them both.” Violet closed her eyes for several seconds before opening them as though she were preparing for something. “You will regret it, just as Daisy would always regret losing her chance to be an Allure.”

  “You’re supposed to be helping us.” My hands balled into fists. “Now you’re going to turn against us?”

  She shook her head. “I also told Daisy I’d protect you. This is protecting you both. You’d regret it, and you’d eventually despise her. What kind of life would that be?”

  “It won’t happen. I could never hate her.”

  “I could show you.” The blonde held out her hand. “I can show you exactly what will happen.”

  Violet stepped between us. “No. If you watch the future, it will come to pass. It can’t be changed.”

  The blonde glared at her. “Do you wish to spend the next century locked up? Weren’t three decades enough?”

  Violet paled. “These years don’t matter nearly as much as those did.”

  “Violet.” The leader cupped her chin in an intimate way that only lovers do. “You know I never want to see you suffer again.”

  “Then don’t allow the boy to make such a stupid decision.”

  “It is his stupid decision to make. If he’s so in love, then let him do it. We’ll take the essence back and give it to someone more worthy.”

  “It won’t be easy.” Another elder stood up. “It’s harder and harder to find a human who can accept the gift anymore.”

  “She still gets the choice. It’s the ultimate rule. He gets a choice too.”

  “Our choice is made.” I knew without a shred of doubt what my answer was. “We are ready to give up our gifts if it means we can be together.”

  “No!” Daisy pleaded.

  “Let’s give them time.” The leader gestured and all of the Elders stood. “We will vacate the room. When we return, you need to have your answer.”

  “We already have it.” I didn’t need time. I wanted the change stopped, and I wanted everything done. I wanted it over with.

  “Daisy wants time.” The leader took Violet’s hand and led her toward the door. He looked at Roland. “You must leave them too.”

  “Yes.” Roland nodded and followed the line of Elders outside.

  “My decision is made.” I didn’t give Daisy a chance to argue. She had a guilt complex, it’s all this was. We belonged together, and I was willing to do anything to make sure that happened.

  22

  Daisy

  I had no real choice. Only one answer was acceptable, yet giving it meant losing everything and anything I cared about. It meant losing Owen, and it meant losing myself.

  "Daisy?" Owen looked deep into my eyes.

  "I love you." I didn't think, I didn't question. I crushed my lips against his, needing to soak up his taste and feel. He responded immediately, deepening the kiss as he wrapped me up in his arms.

  Always and forever. Our promised words swirled through my head. Promised words that couldn't possibly be true. But in that moment it didn't matter. The truth couldn't hurt us. Only time could.

  “Daisy?” He broke the kiss and looked into my eyes again. “You understand, don’t you? You understand I am more than willing to give up flight for you.”

  I nodded. “I understand, but that doesn’t mean it’s right.”

  “Of course it’s right. We’re right.” He rested his hands on my hips. My body warmed to his touch, but I fought to stay strong.

  I closed my eyes, I was about to hurt the only man I’d ever loved. The only man I would ever love. “This isn’t love.”

  “What do you mean?” Confusion crossed his face. “Even the Elders saw it. It’s the truest love there could ever be.”

  I shook my head and fought back the tears. “We barely know each other. It’s not love, Owen. It’s only lust. And because of that I can’t let you make the biggest mistake of your life.”

  “That’s a lie.” He gritted his teeth. “Take it back. You know as well as I do that it’s love.”

  I did, but I couldn’t admit it. I couldn’t give myself any room to back down. Abe was right. Love involved sacrifice, and sometimes the greatest sacrifice was letting someone go even when you wanted to hold on to them more than anything. “I have to go.”

  He captured my wrist as soon as I turned. “No. You can’t leave. We’re almost out of time. We have to do this now.”

  “It’s too late, Owen. I’ve made up my mind.” My heart broke, but I had to say the words. I had to convince him to save his wings. They meant more to him than me even if he couldn’t see it yet.

  “No. It’s not your choice.” He shook me. “Stop this. I’m the one giving up the wings. It’s my choice.”

  “I don’t want you making the choice. I already told you. It’s lust.” The dam of tears broke, and I fell to the floor. I’d never kiss him again. I’d never know the intense passion we shared. I’d never know any passion.

  “Daisy, stop this.” His eyes widened. “Stop this now.”

  “Do we have a decision?” Abe and Violet walked back in.

  I nodded, forcing up the courage to do what was right. “I changed my mind. I want to be an Allure.”

  Understanding crossed Violet’s face. “Come with me, Daisy. Everything is going to be okay.”

  “No. Daisy you can’t do this!” Owen grabbed for me.

  Abe pushed him back. “You heard her. She changed her mind. Your audience is over. Troy will escort you back to your home realm immediately.”

  “Daisy, no.” Owen shook his head and tears slid down his face. “Please, don’t do this.”

  I ran from the room into the courtyard. I couldn’t face him. I couldn’t see the pain I caused the man I loved, but I knew I was doing the right thing. I still had the ability to feel, to make decisions based on my emotions. Owen couldn’t be separated from his wings. They were what made him who he was. I’d rather live eternity without him than watch him suffer. He deserved better. He’d find better.

  “It’s going to be okay.” Violet put a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged her off. It wasn’t going to be okay, and it would hurt until the change happened completely. Then I could finally hide inside my emotionless existence.

  My brief time with Owen had changed me, and I hoped I’d one day be granted a glimpse back at the beautiful moments we’d shared. I would do everything possible to find my way back to myself, but I knew that was only a pipedream. My human life was over, and that meant any life with Owen.

  “Daisy!” Owen called my name again from somewhere in the distance, and I curled up into a ball on the ground.

  “Please, can you make the change come faster?” I’d never imagined I’d ask for something like that, but I needed it. The pain was too much to bare.

  “Yes.” Arabella’s voice came from behind m
e. “We can make it instant, Daisy. All you have to do is ask.”

  “Do it.” I closed my eyes and waited for the feelings to fade away.

  Owen and Daisy’s story continues in Lost (The Allure Chronicles #3), coming soon.

  Keep reading for a preview of Forged in Stone (The Forged Chronicles #1), a New Adult Fantasy Romance by Alyssa Rose Ivy

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  Forged in Stone

  The Forged Chronicles

  Alyssa Rose Ivy

  The son of darkness is all grown up...

  James is a Guardian. He is tasked with protecting the most important person in his world. For eight years he has done his job without complaint, but he has grown tired of living under the shadow of a father who is responsible for the most unimaginable violence and destruction his world has ever known.

  Ainsley is at a loss for what to do with her life. She hates her two dead end jobs and the family who betrayed her. She has resigned herself to living one day at a time, but she longs for an escape from her lonely life.

  When Ainsley finds James in her bed, their two lives and worlds collide. They may have both found exactly what they need, but the darkness James has been running from his whole life has just caught up.

  James

  The dated rock music was giving me a headache. If not for the alcohol still left in my glass I would have been out of the bar already. Even the redhead hanging on my every word was getting to me. Did girls no longer believe in the chase?

  “James?” she said my name with an exaggerated southern drawl that came across as almost fake. It probably was.

  “Yes?” I blinked a few times trying to bring things back into focus. I had drunk far too much, but there was nothing I could do about that now.

  “Are you even listening to me?” She tapped her fingers on the bar top between us.

  “No.” I took in the faded blue paint on the walls. The place had seen better days, but it served my needs perfectly. No one thought anything of the quiet guy getting plastered at the bar. I blended in.

  “I asked you if you wanted to take me home. I only live a few blocks from here.” She put her hand on my upper thigh.

  I looked into her glazed over green eyes. “Probably not.”

  “Oh.” Hurt marred her overly made-up face, and for a second I felt bad, but then it faded. She would be even more hurt when I left her in the morning. Besides, if she was half as drunk as I was, she had no idea what she was asking.

  “I am doing you a favor.” I downed the rest of my beer. It was some crappy lager I had no plans to try again. I had chosen it as an alternative to the whiskey that had filled my glass earlier in the evening.

  “Oh.” She stared at me blankly. She clearly liked that word.

  “See you around.” I moved over a stool to make sure she got the less than subtle hint. I did not particularly enjoy being mean, but I had no time or energy to play nice.

  Loud laughter got my attention. “Cold.”

  I looked at the aging bartender chuckling in front of me before glancing down at the now vacant stool the redhead had been seated on. “Honesty.”

  “You have to admit that was harsh.” He leaned on his elbows. “Do you usually treat pretty girls that way?”

  “Would it have been better to have bedded her and never spoken to her again?”

  He straightened up. “No, but there is an in-between. There is value in politeness.”

  “And what value is that?” I pushed my empty beer glass toward the bartender. “Give me something stronger this time.”

  “I can’t serve you more. We both know that.”

  “And we both know you make exceptions.” I was drunk. There was no question about that, but I needed more to numb the emptiness. Otherwise there was no point in having made the trip into Charleston.

  “I can’t serve you more booze, but I don’t mind listening.”

  “Listening?” I raised an eyebrow. “Do I look like I want someone to listen?”

  “You’re wasted before nine o’clock at night. You need someone to talk to.”

  “Next time I will wait until later to get intoxicated.” I tossed down enough money to cover double my tab and stumbled out of the bar.

  The cool night was a welcome change from the stifling heat of the overcrowded dive. It had been years since I lived in the city of Charleston, South Carolina, but one thing remained the same. They still insisted on pumping heat into buildings the second the temperature dropped south of sixty degrees. I doubted that most of the people at the bar could survive long where I came from.

  The city portion of my walk should not have taken long, but it did. I guess that happens when you get pissed drunk. I knew Charleston well from the months I lived there in high school—and the few nights I spent there now. I spent most of my time in an altogether different place, a place that had stopped feeling like home years ago. A place that was literally another world.

  I was far too exhausted to make it all the way back home, so I stopped at the one place I could in the city. I had no key, but I had another plan to get in. I went around back, taking one cursory look into the withering garden before starting my climb up the thick ivy that wound its way all the way up to the third story balcony.

  The ivy swayed under my weight, but I made it onto the balcony without breaking my neck. I shook the doorknob with enough force to get it to budge. I pushed the door open, kicked off my boots, and tossed my shirt before collapsing on the queen sized bed. It was not my bed, but at the moment any bed would do.

  Ainsley

  I was living the life of a TV sitcom friend. You know the type: the boring one that serves no purpose except to make the main character seem more interesting. I worked not one, but two dead end jobs. I didn’t know which was worse, serving frozen yogurt or working as an office assistant at a law firm. Neither had anything to do with my career goals, but as my mom always said, beggars can’t be choosers. My art history degree had proved as useful as it sounded. I couldn’t manage to land a job working in a gallery, let alone a museum. I’d eventually have to go back to school to get a degree in something useful, but the thought of spending time in a classroom wasn’t something I could stomach. At twenty-two, I was just happy to be paying the bills without moving back in with my parents. It was more than most of my friends could say. Or at least most of the friends I still had.

  I waited impatiently as a couple stared at the flavor listing above my head. They’d been in the frozen yogurt shop for twenty minutes already. We only offered a dozen flavors. The decision couldn’t have been that hard to make. “We close at nine.” I used the most polite voice possible, but as it was 8:56 I figured they needed a reminder.

  “That means you don’t let new customers in after nine. We’re already here. You can’t kick us out.” The guy wrapped his arm around his date’s waist. “Don’t worry baby, there’s no rush.”

  I bit my tongue. Who did this clown think he was? If I wasn’t certain the guy would report me and get me fired, I would have given him a piece of my mind. Instead I started wiping up a sticky spot on the counter I’d overlooked earlier. Despite how boring the job was, it did pay decently, and I didn’t mind my boss.

  “Can I try the vanilla again? I’m not sure I liked it.” The girl pointed at the hard yogurt in the case in front of her.

  Seriously? Who tried vanilla twice? I mean everyone in the world knew what that flavor tasted like. I gritted my teeth. “Sure.” I picked up one of the small pink spoons and scooped a tiny amount. I handed it to her.

  She tasted it. “I’m still not sure.”

  I glanced at the neon colored clock by the door. It was two minutes after nine now. “I’m sorry, but I really have to close.”

  “No you don’t. You’re going
to let my girlfriend take her time and pick a flavor.” The guy puffed out his chest like that was supposed to intimidate me or something.

  I sighed before glancing at the clock again. I was going to be late meeting my friends for drinks. Or really my friend Grace and her other friends. Saying it in the plural made it sound better.

  “Is the chocolate chip cookie dough flavor good?” The girl batted her long eyelashes. I’d have bet a lot they were fake.

  “If you like cookie dough, yes.”

  She nodded as though I’d just shared some life altering secret. “Can I try that one too?”

  I sighed again. “Sure.” I took out another pink spoon.

  She tried it. “I changed my mind. I don’t want anything.” The girl turned toward the door.

  “I agree. Horrible service here.” The guy followed her and slammed the door behind him.

  I silently cursed them while I wiped down the rest of counter. There was a time in my life when I got along with everyone. That time had come and passed. Now I was lucky if I could handle being in the same room as someone who rubbed me the wrong way. It made working in the service industry dicey, especially when your customers were mostly tourists. I loved living in Charleston, but sometimes I wished I lived somewhere a little more off the beaten path.

  I finished my clean up and checked the clock again. I didn’t have time to do much to help my appearance, but I changed into a black three-quarter length sleeve sweater rather than my Yogurt Love t-shirt. I checked the tip jar. There wasn’t much in there, which was the same way it was every shift. Clearly my sparkling personality wasn’t doing me any favors.

  I locked up and hurried out to my car, checking the clock as soon as I started the engine. Nine twenty-two. I could still make nine-thirty if I didn’t hit too many lights.

  I raced down to King Street, nearly destroying my car in an attempt to parallel park in the smallest spot known to man. Even my tiny Honda Fit barely found enough room. If it had been during the day, I could have avoided using my car completely, but I was far too paranoid to walk around the city alone at night. My step-dad the cop had shared countless horror stories with me.