Innocent Darkness (34 page)

It seemed to Noli that all she did of late was run away with tears streaming down her face like the heroine in a penny dreadful. She ran outside and scaled the oak tree in the corner of the little garden.

Pulling her knees to her chest, she wrapped her arms around her legs and put her head on her knees as she sobbed. Many emotions bombarded her, the two main ones being anger and despair. Despair because Charlotte condemned herself to death—offering herself as the sacrifice. What possessed her to do that? There was still a chance James and V could do
something
to help, that another healer might have a solution.

Also, she was angry with herself. She hadn’t been willing to offer herself as a sacrifice to save a people, even though she loved V. Charlotte, who’d only just met James, voluntarily offered herself up, not only to save his people, but to save Noli. Such a beautiful, selfless act. One that made Noli feel like a fiend.

Someone else entered the garden. V mostly likely. Still hurt from last night, she ignored him. She’d tried to profess her love and he’d shushed her, telling her she didn’t know what she said. Wouldn’t she know her own mind?

When he hauled her into his lap, she didn’t fight, but she didn’t help either. She did lay her head in that space between his neck and shoulder as sobs wracked her body.

“Go head and cry.” One of his hands toyed with her loose hair as the other stroked her back. Today’s gown was also green, but it possessed sleeves.

“Why did she do that? I can’t believe it.” The words came out as little gasps between her sobs. “I don’t want her to die.”

“I know, I know.” His soft, sweet whispers brushed her ear. “It is a solution to our most pressing problem, though. I already feel the magic stabilizing. Nothing will get worse, and soon all will be well again.”

“At what cost?”

“The same cost we pay every seven years and will continue to do so for all eternity or until we finally fade away.” The motions of his hands weren’t soothing, but sensual.

“I don’t understand. Why does someone have to die anyway?” she cried.

“That’s the way things are here. Father tells the story best, better even than Quinn; we should get him to tell it to us.” Doubt rang in his voice even though she could tell he tried to hide it.

“Your father tells good stories?” Her eyebrows rose. She hadn’t known that.

“Amazing ones.”

“I don’t want Charlotte to die.” She peered at him through tear-laden eyes.

“It’s her choice. No one suggested it—not me, not James. That act of giving herself over to the land proved enough to bind her quickly and forcefully.” He rubbed his chest, which meant his hand came between his chest and hers.

“It’s a beautiful act, actually—one that proves a point,” he added. “I’ve always thought we didn’t need to trick the girls; that even in this day and age there still are mortals willing to give their lives to save others.”

“So you’re going to be her huntsman now, looking for girls who are in pain and misery, offering them a few pleasant months in exchange for their lives.” Oh, how bitter she sounded.

“I’ll never hunt for her.” He straightened with resolve. “Even if she orders me to.” He studied Noli for a moment with his big, green unspectacled eyes. “That’s where this lies, isn’t it. You didn’t want to die, and Charlotte offering herself unsettled you.”

Shame burned her face and she looked down. “I’m a selfish, selfish girl.”

Taking her face in his hand, he forced her to look at him, albeit gently. “No you’re not. No one thinks less of you because you didn’t willingly—or unwillingly—become the sacrifice. Charlotte isn’t doing this for nothing, either.” He ran his fingers through her hair. “I really like how you’ve been wearing it down lately.”

It felt so nice when he did that. “You don’t think I’m some strumpet, running about with bare arms and unbound hair?”

He planted a little kiss on her nose, sending shockwaves through her body. “No, I don’t, and I found you a dress with sleeves.”

She laughed.

“Things are different here than in the mortal realm, especially our attitudes about propriety and social conventions.” His lips caught hers.

Her hand darted out, pushing him away, preventing him from kissing her. “Oh, no you don’t, Steven Darrow. I’m done with having my emotions toyed with.”

Jutting out her jaw, she scooted off his lap onto the branch next to him.

“I’m sorry.” He snaked an arm around her waist.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Explain.”

“Gladly.” V sighed, as if exhaling the weight of the world. “I was going to tell you as soon as we had a moment alone—only Lottie had to go and bind herself to the magic before I got that chance. You see, I was afraid that if we went far enough the magic would bind you, because you would accept me as your lover and that you belonged here with me. Even last night when you tried to profess your love for me, I sensed the magic wanting you, waiting for you.” His lips brushed across her forehead, making other parts of her tremble.

She eyed him. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? We had time alone before now.”

He blushed to the roots of her hair, eyes on his lap. “I just wanted protect you, like I always have and will continue to do so. Though I realize bringing you heartache wasn’t protecting you and I should have told you sooner.” His fingers brushed her face, trailing down her cheekbone. “I never wanted to hurt you. I’m sorry I made you cry. I’ll never do it again. We don’t have to deny our feelings anymore.”

The faces hovered dangerously closed as she leaned into him. Yes, they definitely weren’t children anymore. But this … this was just was nice.

Maybe even more.

“I believe you,” she replied, allowing him to continue to hold her, touch her. V had always sheltered her, protected her, taken the blame, so it didn’t come as any real surprise. But that didn’t mean she had to like it. “You said you’d be honest with me—even if it hurt.”

“I did. I … I’m sorry.” He buried his face in her shoulder. “I won’t do it again.”

She didn’t doubt his sincerity, but she wasn’t done talking about this. “You would have saved the both of us a lot of heartache.” Noli stroked his hair, her voice a whisper. “Do you know what it did to me, you kissing me one moment, shouting at me the next?” The memories made her wince. “Do you know how long I grappled with my feelings? Before coming here I never felt such … urges.” It seemed most improper to speak of these things in mixed company. However, she wanted him to know. “I felt like such a dollymop. But when I sorted everything out, my mind finally decided what my heart understood all along.” Reaching out tentatively, she cupped his face with her hand. “It’s what I’ve always wanted, but never wanted to admit to myself.”

V lifted his head from her shoulder and once again his face got very close to hers. His breath came out ragged. “What is that, exactly, Noli?”

“You. I want you.” She bit her lip and forced herself to meet his gaze. Her heart skipped a beat. Would he reject her again?

A surprised look swam through his eyes. “Why didn’t you want to admit it?”

“I’m a hoyden, my mother
works,
I enjoy fixing things and playing in the dirt.” Her words got faster as if they might fade away into nothing if she didn’t get them out quick enough. “You’re from a respectable family and now I find out you’re a prince, and you know how that always ends in the stories—”

His warm lips met hers covered hers, silencing her before she could finish. She found herself pulled back into his lap as he kissed her, reigniting the inferno in her belly. One of his arms tightened around her, the other tangled in her hair as he pressed his body into hers. She wrapped her own arms around his neck, trying to anchor herself; otherwise she’d float away on clouds of pleasure.

He broke it off, both of them gasping for breath. V’s fingertips brushed the length of her face as he gazed into her eyes with an intensity that made her soul burn.

“Those are just stories, Noli. This is real.” Then he kissed her again.