the moment it all went silent. Hear the gush of the wood being pulled free from her body, the clink of his sword as he withdrew it from its holster.
The thud of her head tumbling to the ground.
I shudder again, just as Tinksley takes my face in her hands, forcing our stares to collide. “Why didn’t you kill him?” Her eyes, now welled with tears, search mine frantically.
“Because death would’ve been far too merciful. I wanted him to suffer. As an immortal he’d have to live with that decision for the rest of eternity and I had the same opportunity to live alongside him. To ensure it.” Reaching for her hands, I drop them to our sides and press my lips to her forehead. “I wasn’t a good person, Tinksley. I dragged the man around with me everywhere, on all my voyages. At first, when rage and resentment were at their highest, he was a prisoner. I kept him locked away, starved him, beat him whenever my world felt it was crumbling.”
“How did you two end up in Rosewood?” She squeezes me. “Or better yet, how did you come to power in Rosewood?”
I’m puzzled as to how that’s possible. I hadn't felt her wrap her arms around my middle. “Quite some time after crossing the portal. We’d been out at sea, traveling from island to island, when we came upon Rosewood. The brood and I—which only consisted of Sam, Armand, Kaz, and Malik at that point—walked into hell. Sensed it the moment we got off the ship.”
“Let me guess, Fae?”
“You guessed correct. The Natives, who owned the land, had no idea what to do and the Lost Boys didn’t exist back then. They had one, lone wolf. The witches weren’t kin of Sacred Six yet, either. There’s more to it, obviously, but it’s a long story, not all of which is mine to tell. I guess I was just in the right place, at the right time, had the right bartering tools.”
“What did you barter?” Setting her chin to my chest, she glances up at me, though I’m sure she has an inkling as to what the answer might be.
“Help and protection from the Fae. In return, I wanted the land. The Chief didn’t go for it initially. I had to wait around nearly a month for an answer, but in the end, after his young daughter was lured by those beasts, he agreed. We were the superior species; faster, stronger, smarter. The only ones with the ability to flash. The Fae might’ve been feeders as well, but they were no match for us.”
“I can see that. Well, I’m glad he went for it and I’m glad you found Rosewood. I’d never have met you if you hadn’t.”
She’s right. I hadn’t even thought of that until just now. Had I not learned of the portal and ventured the seas, I never would’ve met this fascinating, beautiful woman before me.
“How old are you now anyway?”
“Five-hundred and seven.” Old as hell, I know.
“And when you died?”
“I’d just turned thirty.”
Scoffing a laugh, Tinksley shakes her head. “No wonder.”
“No wonder, what?” My brow quirks, prompting her to wiggle a finger in my direction.
“No wonder you look like that. You were a man.”
Damn right.
Grinning, I push her against the parapet, touching the tips of our noses. “I told you, baby girl, all man.”
Our lips are so close, too, just talking allows them to brush softly, teasingly.
“I swoon a little every time you call me that,” she confesses on a sultry breath.
“Yeah? And how much would you swoon if I told you I’m in love with you?”
No shame, none whatsoever. I hadn’t even meant to say it, but now that it’s out there, I can vow I mean it with every goddamn fiber of my being. I love her, I have for some time, probably longer than either one of us realize.
“I might die.” A whisper, caught deep in her throat, her eyes wide.
“Not that easy, you’re immortal now, remember? You’re stuck with this bastard right here, and perhaps one day you’ll love me too.”
“Not one day.” She purposely brushes our lips, seeking me out. “I love you now, right here, right now.”
“Everyday?” I question ardently.
“For as long as you’ll have me,” she avows.
“Then start counting on forever, Tinksley Bell, because you’re my greatest treasure and there’s not a single thing within any realm on this earth that could make me let you go.”
♫ Crazy In Love (Remix) - Beyoncé ♫
A few days later…
“Fuck,” I hiss,