He looks at me and for the first time I see Daemon. The real man behind the scowl he’s always wearing.
“Like souls, the two of us.”
He leaves it at that and wraps his arm around me. I tuck my head a little closer. We walk like this linked together and I can't help but feel like a real couple.
I change the topic to a brighter one. “What would you like to do next? We should probably get back. I need to call the school, my friend and roommate. My work. Oh, Lord. I forgot to call in. They’ll be worried. Plus, there’s the question about my tuition.” I start to walk faster.
Damn. How could I be so mindless? I clap a hand over my forehead.
Daemon comes to a stop and so do I since he has my hand in his. “All taken care of. You don’t need to worry.”
I shake my head. “What? how? Um, yeah I do need to worry,” I say flatly. “I need that job and my apartment. Or rather room inside said apartment.” I take a deep breath. “As lovely as this has been, I don’t get to just pick up and go. We’ve talked about this, Daemon.”
The bastard plasters an amused grin on his face like he finds me cute. I’m tempted to jerk my hand out of his and leave him standing in the middle of Paris.
Only what he says next stops me.
“Before you let the worry take over, come. Let me show you one more thing I’d like for you to see.” He nudges my chin up. “Please.” We’re standing at the head of a street that looks endless before us. Most of the locals hurry along or have already gone home for the day so it’s just us.
On either side of the street small shop buildings are awash with fading sunlight, the light catching on reflective surfaces that make them look dusted in magic. It quickly morphs as the sun sets to bathe the street in an amber gradient, giving off a romantic glow. Low-hanging beams are slowly turning the sky orange and pink above. Thankfully the snow clouds are clearing and we witness the light show. Shop lights flicker on one by one and the lights along the street take my breath away.
“Daemon. It’s so beautiful.” I can’t look away.
He growls something but I don’t know what because he’s coming in for a kiss, wiping the hard drive of my brain clean. It’s tender and slow, unlike the last few times he’s taken my mouth. Unhurried, passionate.
He presses his forehead against mine. “I’ve travelled the world, belle, and this right here is the single most beautiful place on Earth with you here.”
“Belle?”
“Beautiful.”
His hands come to rest on my face and I move mine over his. The movement makes my bracelet jingle and it catches his eye. How could anyone ever not have time or love for such a tender soul as is?
He takes it in hand and studies each piece like it’s a puzzle he needs to figure out.
“These hearts. Past lovers?”
Is that pain I hear in his voice? Can’t be. I shake my head, not entirely ready to give up all my secrets.
“And this?” He brushes over the snowflake. For a second I wonder if I should tell him my secret, but talking about my father is the last thing on my mind. I’d rather be here in the now with Daemon, but I can’t stop the wave of sadness coming over me.
He tightens a hand around my arms and spins me into an alley. He pins me against a brick wall, hovering his large frame over me.
“Tell me. Who was he? I will kill the man who has put that hurt in your eyes and Erik and Warren will bury the body.”
I pale for a second and then suddenly laugh. It’s hard not to when I hear such conviction and see the truth staring back at me through thick black lashes.
I place my hand over his heart. “No. No crimes that would take any of you away from me. Especially with the short time we have together. Plus, he’s not worth it.”
A dark look returns to his expression. Did I say something wrong? Out of line?
He doesn’t say anything for a second and turns his gaze to a point down the alleyway. “Daemon?” I ask timidly.
He whips his head back and when our gazes lock, I feel the full force of his power hit me head on. “I knew you liked us, belle.”
That easy smile of his doesn’t fool me for a second. Something is going on behind the mask he wants me to see. Deep down I fear I might have hurt him.
“I think that part is obvious,” I say, returning the smile.