Venom (Rosewood Realm #1) - Dee Garcia Page 0,11

it. But lately he either turns over, giving me his back, or he falls asleep on me.

I can’t help but wonder if it’s something I did or said, like suggesting us running off together again. He’s never been receptive of that offering.

What if it’s just me?

Peter rolls over then, the bed dipping with his movement. His hand wraps around my arm, darting my eyes to his touch. It’s warm and trickles through me, but nothing like...

I nearly gasp again.

Can’t believe I’m even thinking such things, comparing him to—

“Tinks.” His voice crashes through my thoughts.

Our stares meet, held steady on both ends for several moments. When I don’t speak, he gives a simple tug that drapes me over his chest.

“What’s wrong?” he quizzes.

You, I think to myself. “Nothing, just wondering what I’m going to say to my mother.”

“I hate to say it, T, but this is why I’m so insistent on coming to you, rather than you coming here. She asks too many questions and you have to lie to avoid another argument about me.”

I sigh. “I know. I just wish we didn’t have to sneak around.”

Peter hums, but he doesn’t say much else, just rakes his fingers through my hair. Yet, judging by the way he studies me, I know he’s deep in his thoughts.

Why won’t he talk to me?

Tell me what’s on his mind?

I would never have known it right then in that moment, but one day I’ll finally have the answer, and the answer will be more than I can bear.

Some secrets are better left in the dark.

Peter

The look in her eyes as she leaves…

It fucking kills me.

I stand there mute at the threshold of my front door as she pads to the middle of the bridge and expels her wings. They glisten in the moonlight, golden flecks of that ethereal pixie dust billowing around her. One more longing, sideways glance and then she’s gone.

No “I love you” or “Until tomorrow.” She simply takes off in the night, leaving me with nothing but the company of my own guilt.

It’s probably better this way.

Tinks wants the world, but all I’ll ever be able to give her is this…

A life of secrecy and a love built on lies.

♫ Duality - Set It Off ♫

“Captain,” a delicate voice coaxes. “It’s time to wake up.”

The curtains swish across the rods, one window at a time.

Peeling my lids apart, I squint through the bright rays now pouring into my chamber and stretch my limbs with a sleepy groan.

“Good morning,” the same delicate voice says.

It’s Violet, my housekeeper. Well, the head of many around here. She delegates the workload amongst the others and sees to it that she attends to me personally. “Attends” is only putting it lightly. She fusses over me quite a bit. It’s amusing, yet heartwarming and, as a result, the woman has come to be a second mother of sorts. I care for her dearly, more than I let on at times or ever admit aloud.

“Good morning.” I offer her a crooked smile. “What’s on the agenda for today?”

“Council meeting in approximately one hour. The rest of your day is clear, unless Samuel failed to mention something.”

“No, that sounds about right. I may head into town after the fact, but it’s nothing of importance.”

Violet nods her silver head dutifully and goes about setting my garments on the recamier before the bed. “I’ll keep that in mind in case the boys go looking for you. Will any of them be accompanying you?”

“That I’m aware of? No. Just getting the mane trimmed before the gala.”

“Ah, yes—the gala. I almost forgot about that. Find yourself a date yet?” The amusement in her voice utterly palpable.

Rising to my feet, I cut my eyes in her direction—where she’s clearly stifling a smile—and shake my head. “I did not. I’ve decided to go stag.”

“And why is that? A Captain should never be unaccompanied, much less a King.”

“No one fits the bill,” I counter with seemingly great nonchalance, striding to the end of the bed. “And for the record, I prefer Captain.”

I may rule this land, one I stumbled upon and saved from sheer pandemonium, but I detest the title. I’m the Captain, end of story.

Violet nods, but she doesn’t utter a single word after the fact. The only tell-tale sign that she thinks my response is rubbish is the smile she’s still attempting to subdue, her lips thinned and all.

She’s not wrong. I’m absolutely, one-hundred percent full of shit because there is one that fits the

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