Page 62 of The Immortal’s Mark

The memory tightens something around my ribs.

Before I can assure him I’m fine, he adds, voice rough, “You need to stop doing this to me.”

I blink. “What?”

“Getting hurt. Being in pain.” He swallows, eyes skittering away like the words are glass. “I cannot take much more.”

My spine snaps straight. “It’s not like I did it on purpose.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?”

I have so many things I want to say to him—so many questions that I’ve held in because he hasn’t been around.

Now, I’m determined to at least get the answer to this one.

“I’m no good at this, Darcie,” he says, meeting my gaze.

“Try,” I shoot back with a glare.

He exhales hard. “I have bad luck with soulmates. You know this.”

My heart threatens to beat out of my chest. “I’m aware.”

“Despite my best efforts, my involvement in your life has altered you irreversibly. Now, you’re suffering.”

He’s talking about the fact that I’m slowly becoming Immortal.

But that’s not his fault.

“What happened to me has nothing to do with you and everything to do with my mom being a secret witch,” I remind him.

His mouth tightens, and his eyes go distant. “The Creator enjoys torturing me. That is the only explanation for your bloodline.”

He finally releases my wrists.

“You’re upset I’m a half-breed.” The idea hadn’t occurred to me until right now. It hurts more than the loss of his touch.

His head snaps up. “Of course not.”

“Then why stop kissing me?”

His eyes flash with pain. “Because I shouldn’t have done it in the first place.”

Because he doesn’t want this, Darcie. Don’t forget it.

Heartbreak and anguish coil tight in my chest.

I take the emotions and shove them down. I will let them out later when I am alone. I will allow myself to weep and scream at the injustices in my life that are out of my control.

But right now, pride demands I hold myself together.

“Understood.” I lean back into the pillows, eager to put as much space between us as possible. “Thank you for coming to check on me. You should probably get back to the meeting with the Nightsbane clan.”

For a moment, I don’t think he’s going to allow the subject change.

His now-hazel eyes search mine. I hold his stare, shoving every ounce of pain down as it tries to rise.