AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Strong.
Not pathetic. Not weak. But strong.
“And at brunch, with Rainer’s awful magic influencing you, you fought back. You withstood his challenge and didn’t give in or break down.”
A challenge? Is that what it was to Rainer.
It certainly felt like I broke down.
Eoin’s words strike something deep inside of me.
“So, yes, Alessia. We’ve only just met, but I want to get to know you. I’m attracted to the woman I’ve seen in the few fleeting moments we’ve been together, and I want to see more of her.”
Eoin sees the good in me and wants more of that. But would he still want me if he saw the darkness I carry, too?
My throat is thick, and I’m unable to reply for a moment.
Finally, I say, “I didn’t want to be alone tonight.”
“I can understand that.” He holds his breath for a second before saying, “I’m glad you asked me to join you.”
“Me too.”
Eoin hmms to himself. A few minutes later he says, “For someone who proclaims to hate humanity, Rainer seems awfully fond of collecting humans.”
My stomach sinks at the reminder of Rainer’s lips on Fern’s neck. “I don’t want to talk about him.”
“Deal.” Eoin shifts beneath me. We lay there in silence until finally he plants a finger under my chin and angles my head up to look at him. “I’m not here to pester you or make you uncomfortable. If at any time you’re not comfortable, tell me and I’ll leave, okay? I’m here as a friend, because that’s what you need tonight, Alessia.”
His words settle the doubts gnawing at my stomach, and I offer him a soft smile. When I reach up to cup his cheek, he gently grabs my wrist, eyeing my hand.
“What happened here?” He frowns at the fresh wound from earlier this evening. “I hadn’t noticed this earlier.”
Eoin can’t smell my blood, too? I figured heightened senses were universal for all faeries. I suppose their abilities differ beyond their base powers of fearcalling and healing.
I almost laugh at how opposite the two males are.
“Here,” Eoin says as he gently grips my hand.
A warm tingle crawls through my palm, and I know without looking that he’s healing. He winces for a second as he absorbs the pain, but then he’s done and I’m admiring the soft, unbroken skin on my palm.
“That’s amazing,” I whisper.
“You’re amazing, Alessia.”
The conversation lulls, and I realize that, despite being fae, Eoin has been nothing but a perfect gentleman since I’ve met him. He says all the right things.
He’s also open and honest about his feelings and intentions.
But it doesn’t warm me from the inside out like Rainer does. I’m not drawn to Eoin in the same way I am Rainer. I hate it. Why can’t it be the golden faerie I’m fond of instead?
The silence between us isn’t awkward or unsure. It’s confident and comfortable. Being here with him, like this, is exactly what I needed. Without Char’s friendship and Felix’s affections, I’ve been quite lonely here in Umbra Court. So lonely, that I think I was searching for something in Rainer that he isn’t willing to give.
Barely no time passes at all before Eoin dozes off with his arm wrapped tight around my midsection.
It’s incredibly intimate, and I’m grateful for his company, but I can’t keep my mind from wandering back to Rainer.
It’s Rainer’s stoic features and icy-blue eyes I see as I begin to doze off, despite the golden-haired male wrapped around me.
