She kept talking like a flipping idiot. Why was she so nervous? Why couldn’t she stop being so glib and just shut up?
He looked down at his clasped hands. “There’s something I wished to discuss with you.”
“Then go ahead. How’s Delia by the way?”
“She’ll be fine. I managed to detach the remnants of the spell from her mind.”
“Cool.”
She waited as he took another deep breath and then realized she could hardly breathe at all.
“My mother came to see me.”
“When?”
“Just after I left the hospital. She said that if I wished to return to Otherworld, I would be offered the leadership of the sect.”
“Oh.” She forced a smile. “That’s...great.”
“You think I should take it?”
“Well you’re the perfect man for it, aren’t you? With your power, you could keep that bunch of idiots in order and provide a counterbalance to your father’s evil schemes.”
“That’s what my mother said.”
“I told you she was smart.”
Silence fell between them, broken only by the odd drip of rain from the trees.
“If I took the job, would you come with me?”
She swallowed hard. “And live there full-time?”
“As my mate, you would be treated with great respect and bear the title of princess.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
Indignation thrust through her hurt and made sitting still impossible. She shot to her feet. “And what about our jobs here?”
“Feehan would understand if we left.”
“And what would I do in Otherworld, apart from traipse around, being a princess?”
He looked up at her. “Most females would think that being mated to the most powerful male in Otherworld and being treated like royalty were gifts in themselves.”
“But then most females don’t realize what a dork you are, do they?”
He blinked at her. “What’s wrong?”
“What’s
“What does the report have to do with anything?”
She glared at him, her hands on her hips. “I made a deal with your grandmother!”
“You did what?” He rose too, his expression darkening.
“Your grandmother asked me to keep your family out of our report, and in return I—I made her promise something. Not that a promise means anything in Otherworld, apparently. What was your mother
She was babbling again...
“What did she promise you?” He was close enough now that she had to look up at him. He put his hands on her shoulders. “Tell me.”
“That she wouldn’t ever ask you to return to Otherworld.”
“And why would you ask her for such a thing?”
Magic sparked from his skin and made all the hairs on her head stand upright. She raised her chin.
“Because I don’t want you to go back there. I want you to stay here with me.”
He didn’t react in any way or move an inch.
“Did you hear me? I don’t want you to go.”
His smile was slow but quite beautiful, like the sun emerging from behind a cloud.
“And why is that, Soul Sucker?”
She almost stamped her foot. “You’re going to make me say it?”
“Of course I am. I’ve killed for you and threatened to annihilate my whole world just to keep you safe. What are a few little words in return?”
“They’re a big deal to me!”
“I know.” He briefly rested his forehead against hers. “Would it help if I said them first?”
“No one’s ever said it to me and meant it.”
“I mean it. I love you, Ella. I always will.”
She swallowed hard. “Okay. Me too.”
He straightened up. “Ella...”
“All right! But you have to promise not to do what your mother wants, and go back to Otherworld.”
He placed his hand over his heart. “I promise.”
“You should go and tell her that right now!”
He smiled. “And let you out of my sight at this crucial moment?”
She faced him. “You’ve already told her no, haven’t you? This is all a setup.” She jabbed herself in the chest. “I’ve killed for you. I even sat and typed that stupid report to keep you safe! Isn’t that enough? Why do I have to say the stupid words?”
His smile faded. “Maybe because no one has ever said them to me and meant it either, Soul Sucker.”
“Oh, God.” She whispered, “Vadim, I—”
But he had already disappeared.
He picked up the nearest pillow and sent it spinning, smashed his fist against the wall. It wasn’t enough. He needed to get out. His glance slid over the rest of his destroyed hotel room and he quickly made things right again. There was no reason to burden the staff with extra work because of his petty tantrum.
God, he needed to be free.
In a second, he magicked himself north to the immense sequoia forests and changed form. Here at least he could fly undetected and act like the animal he was. He flew for a while and then perched at the top of one of the massive trees and watched the sun go down. The scent of pine and eucalyptus filled his lungs, and he breathed deep.
“Morosov, is that you up there?”
He squinted down and saw Ella’s upturned face at the bottom of the massive trunk. She’d never let him get away with disappearing on her. She’d even followed him to Otherworld to save him, without caring for her own safety. Without answering, he swooped down, picked her up and flew her up to the top of the tree.
She opened her mouth and he put his finger against her lips.
“Don’t say it.”
“I’m not going to say anything, I’m going to
“You are?”
She nodded, her fingers digging into his flesh.
“It’s all right. If you say it now, I won’t believe you. I was wrong to try and force the issue.”
She nipped his finger and he snatched it away.
“Listen, you big dope. I never thought about it from your side before. I only thought about my issues. You haven’t exactly had it easy in the parenting department either, have you?”
“No.”
“We’re both a bit gun-shy.”
“Yes.”
She kissed him softly on the mouth. “If you won’t let me say it, can I show you instead?”
