Storm Born Page 0,57

no. That was my own, um, improvisation. I could have marked you other ways." He smiled meaningfully. "But you were too charming and pretty."

"Hey! Don't use that fox sex magic on me. It's already caused enough trouble. Who told you to do that? To mark me?"

The flirtatious smile disappeared. Silence.

"Look, you're supposed to be the big honesty advocate. If you aren't going to play that way anymore, then I'm going to kick your ass out of here."

A glint of amusement flickered in his eyes. "I think I'd like that." He paused. Finally: "No one you know. Her name is Maiwenn."

"The Willow Queen." I took satisfaction in seeing his surprise. "I know more about the gentry than you think."

"Apparently. When she found out who you were, she wanted to watch you and find out where you stood on your fath - on the Storm King prophecy."

I met his questioning look with incredulity. "Are you seriously asking me? You think I want to see gentry take over the world?"

"No, not really. But Maiwenn wanted to be sure on your position. She opposed Storm King before and has no desire to see an invasion. She'd rather put resources into the Otherworld, into staying there and making that home."

"Smart lady," I said bitterly. "I wish they'd all stay there."

"Don't knock the Otherworld. It has its appeal."

"Yeah? So, what, you consider yourself one of them?"

"I consider myself part of both worlds. It's who I am. It's who you are too."

"No. I'm not part of that world." I stared past him without really seeing, suddenly feeling tired. "Sometimes I don't even feel a part of this world."

He crossed the distance between us and sat down on the bed. Those dark eyes brimmed with concern. "Don't say that."

I looked away so he wouldn't see my eyes getting wet. "I don't know what's going on anymore. Everything...everything's changed. I can't turn around without someone trying to rape me. I can't trust the people I love." I turned back to him. "I can't trust you."

His hand reached out and touched my cheek. "Yes, you can. Eugenie, I didn't sleep with you to get you pregnant. I didn't even sleep with you just because you're hot - though that was a definite perk. I liked you. I still like you. I want us to have something."

He'd moved his hand down my neck, to my shoulder, and then to my upper arm. His fingers lazily traced the outline of Hecate's snake. Goosebumps rose on my flesh.

"Don't look at me like that. I don't want to get pregnant."

"Contraceptive technology is a wonderful thing."

"I can't be involved with you."

"Why not?"

The words hurt coming out. "Because...because of what you are..."

The hand dropped. "I'm the same - "

"I know, I know. The same as me. Kiyo, you've got to understand.... I've got a lot to deal with right now. I just...well, I just can't. Not yet. Maybe..." I looked at him, at the kind and intelligent face, at the smoldering body so close to mine. "Maybe some day, we can..."

Something on my face must have given away my feelings, that no matter how terrified of getting close to him I was, I still liked him and wanted him. The old mischievous smile appeared on his face, and his hand cupped my chin. He pressed his lips against my cheek. "Then let me be your friend," he whispered.

I closed my eyes and let his heat envelop me. "Friends don't breathe in my ear like that."

"We'll be special friends."

"Kiyo - "

He drew back a little, still smiling. "Seriously, Eugenie. If we can't be lovers, I still want to be in your life. I want to help you through this. I want to protect you."

I stiffened, and my old snarkiness reared its head through the emotional miasma. "I don't need protection."

"Do you have any idea how bad it's going to get for you?"

"I've handled it so far. I'll handle it again."

"God, you're amazing." His spoke with admiration. "But you're also annoyingly difficult. Let someone help you. Let me help you."

I stared stonily ahead. His expression darkened.

"They're going to come after you! Do you think I can just sit around when people are trying to hurt and rape you?"

The heat in his voice seared me. He wasn't angry at me; he was angry for me. He regarded me in a way no one had ever looked at me before, an expression that said I meant so much to him that he would take on hell itself to protect me.