She is beautiful; so fucking beautiful. Her hair is dressed in flowers and jewels that pale next to her natural beauty. They’d put make-up on her when she needs none to be the most beautiful woman in the world. She looks scared, and it is taking everything inside of me not to become visible, and hold her fears at bay.
She is no longer mine; I am trespassing now, just to see how she is holding up. She looks ready to run, and I wonder if she’d run back to me. I hadn’t been able to go one fucking day without her. She’s a fucking drug that’s in my system, spiking through my veins and begging me to take her again.
Her eyes scan the reflection and then she does something unexpected. She’s screaming at herself to run. My hands clench in to fists as she turns around, her eyes scanning the room. Does she feel me? Does she miss me as I do her?
Fucking hell, she’s addictive. I was supposed to fuck her and let her go, and that was supposed to be it. I didn’t even want to claim her. What the hell has she done to me? I want to pull her against me, just to feel her skin next to mine.
I want to watch her smile as it lifts her lips and shines in her beautiful unique eyes. You’re a fucking sap. Fuck! She’s reduced me to this; pining after another man’s soon-to-be wife. I fooled myself in to believing I could do this; that I could see her again without needing to be close to her. I should go, because the beast is laughing at me, and that is never a good thing. Never.
Soon, she will be Adam’s. She will give him and my world what it needs. Then I will come for her, and make her mine. In one year, and one day, she will be given the choice to choose Adam permanently, or leave him. She will choose to become mine, and I’ll be here the minute their time is up to take her home, and deal with the consequences then.
~~~~*Syn~~~~*
I’d thought I had caught a hint of his scent—the unique one that belongs only to Ryder. The raw masculine spices that were his alone. I missed him, and I wasn’t sure if any amount of time would fix it.
I turned and eyed the door warily. I chewed my lip before I finally straightened my spine and walked over to knock on the door, signaling that I was ready. I’d knocked as if I were some simple minded woman who couldn’t figure out how to turn the freaking knob.
A male who looked exactly like Adam opened it, and stepped back for me to exit the room. “I’m ready,” I said, hating the word ready. I wasn’t ready; not for this. No amount of time could make me ready for this. Fucking ready to run was more like it.
All of Adam’s brothers filled up the hallway, barely leaving any room for air. Each of them were very similar to Adam in the gorgeous department, and, considering they were dressed in black designer looking tuxedos, they were a devastating lot. The men parted until Ryder was revealed, but his eyes were on the floor as if he was afraid to look at me. I swallowed the urge to run and throw my arms around him. Instead, I stubbornly fisted my hands at my sides as I tried to tear my eyes from him—I couldn’t. It wasn’t until he lifted his that I saw his pain matched mine.
He nodded and fell in line with the rest of the group, as Adam’s oldest brother stepped to the front of the group and ushered me to the middle of them. “I’m Sòlas, and I’ll be your escort and presenter tonight. I find myself jealous of my newly found brother. Care to accept me instead?” His gentle jade and lime eyes searched my face.
Another of the men beside him snickered.
“I, uh,” I replied, trying to think of anything to say and failing, I settled on nodding my head at him.
“Sòlas,” Ryder chided from where he stood in line. “She was not raised among us. You need to tell her you are joking, or she might kick your ass when she figures it out for herself.”
“As it should be,” Sòlas said. “If Adam doesn’t suit your need, pick me. But, all jokes aside, I’m available.” He wiggled his eyebrow’s playfully.
“Good to know,” I said with good humor. My eyes instantly sought Ryder, but he’d lowered his face again.
“I’d make a better husband to you,” Sòlas said, shrugging his shoulders as he boyishly winked once again.
“I have no doubt of that,” I said letting my eyes settle on his handsome face. “It’s always good to know I have backup options, Sòlas, but thank you for offering me an alternative.”
He smiled and nodded. “I’m glad you think so, and relieved to know you are not immune to my charm. Adam asked me to give you a few pointers since he was not allowed back to see you. We Fae like to puff out our chests; we will taunt you just to see if you have bite. Bite back Syn, says Adam,” He winked with a small smile. “He also said do not kill anyone tonight,” Sòlas grinned wider as he recited Adam’s words. “But since he says you have enough skill to pull it off, I wouldn’t mind pointing you toward a few people who need it.” The rest of the brothers chuckled at this little jab.