Page 108 of Gilded Curses

She stopped in the hall and gaped at her brother while her mind spun. He turned to face her. She knew vampires had consorts; of course, she did, but….

“I’m only half vamp,” she said.

“So? You drink blood, you teleport, and you have fangs.”

“Yeah, but….”

But what? She was half vamp, and Del was right, she had many of their characteristics; it had never occurred to her that Orin could be her consort.

What kind of sick, demented twist of fate was that? The same kind that caused you to fall in love with the infuriating, loving, and stubborn man.

But why had the possibility of such a thing never occurred to her? Probably because, though she had fangs, drank blood, and could teleport, she’d always identified more as a witch than a vampire. She’d also never known a vamp who found their consort, so it wasn’t a part of her life.

“That would explain why it was so difficult to resist him even when I wanted to kill him,” she muttered.

“Maybe.”

Then she realized the simple truth of it all. “It doesn’t matter if he is; either way, he has my heart.”

Del patted her hand as they ascended the stairs toward her room. “If he hurts you, I’ll kill him.”

“I know.” And it would destroy her to watch the two men she loved the most fight. “After what he did to you, this must be so difficult to understand, and you probably think I betrayed you—”

“No,” he interrupted. “I don’t feel betrayed. Stunned? Yes. Concerned? Completely. But not betrayed. We can’t help who we love, Sahira, and if he is your consort, then you really can’t help it. You would never hurt me on purpose, and this doesn’t hurt me.

“I’m scared for you and your future with him, but I hope he proves me wrong and is the man you think he is. I can never forget what he did to me, but if he treats you right and makes you happy, I can eventually forgive.”

Tears streamed down Sahira’s face as they stopped outside her bedroom door. She threw her arms around her older brother, first best friend, and protector. She hadn’t believed it was possible to love him any more than she already did, but he’d just proved her wrong.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“I’m so glad you’re back.”

“So am I. Though it sounds like I’ll be heading to Doomed Valley soon.”

Del groaned as he hugged her. “Not without me.”

She didn’t want to drag her brother into that place, but it was pointless to argue with him, and she was too tired to try.

She kissed his cheek. “I’ll see you soon. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

CHAPTER NINETY

A few hours later, Orin discovered Del standing outside Sahira’s room with his arms crossed over his chest while he leaned against the wall. He straightened when he spotted Orin.

Orin braced himself for a fight he was determined to win. “You’re not going to chase me away.”

“I’m not waiting here for that. She’s made it clear how she feels about you, and I’ve only ever wanted her happiness. She deserves it. If you can make her happy, then I won’t stand in the way, even if I think you’re the biggest asshole ever to walk the realms.”

Orin smiled. “Many would agree, and you’d all be right.”

“I know, but as you saw in the Cursed Realm, she’s taken a lot of abuse from a lot of asshole witches in her life. She deserves the best.”

“I know.”

“I don’t think you’re the best, not by a long shot, but she thinks you are, and because of that, I’ll give you a chance to prove me wrong. But I’ll tell you what I told her; if you hurt her, I will kill you. Do you understand?”