Page 77 of Crown of Death
“That’s agoodthing, in case you didn’t realize,” Amelia says, laying a hand on my leg. “You deserve to find someone who’s the match to your incredibleself.”
It’s kind of hard to breath. And I can’t quite look at Cyrus again as he turns and comes to sit beside me now that his turn isover.
I hope and pray that he didn’t hear what Amelia said, or how my internal organs reacted to herstatement.
He reaches over and takes my hand once more, holding it protectively in hislap.
Chapter 17
Logan,this really isn’t cool.Mom texts on Monday.If you’re going to live with a guy this soon after meeting him, I at least need to see what all the fuss isabout.
Soon, I fend heroff.
On Wednesday, she texts again.Your father and I are going out tonight. Maybe you and Collin could joinus?
He has work, Ilie.
I lie on my bed that night, unable to sleep, staring at the ceiling. Mom’s been hounding me all day about this. And now that I’m finally alone, in the dark, I can sort through my ownthoughts.
It’s been subtle, but over the past few weeks as I’ve begun to see my reality, as Cyrus has shown me, I’m beginning to accept that this is going to be my world. The world of Royals, and Houses with power. Of blood and fangs. These are vampires. And I will be one of themsoon.
The reason for them all is Cyrus. He created this world. Brought it into being. Ruled—rulesit.
Can I really bring that man into my childhood home? Can I really introduce him to my family? My parents? My babybrother?
And can I really do that to them? Introduce them to that kind of man, and put on the show of the two of us being inlove?
You’re completely and totally head-over-heels in love withCollin.
Amelia’s words echo through my head, over and over andover.
They can’t betrue.
Cyrus erupted into my life, only brought across the world because I look like my mother, who he so obviously despises. He sank his fangs into my flesh and then the look in his eyeschanged.
Cyrus wants something fromme.
Took control of my life to get it. Is still determined that I must die to getit.
So it’s just not possible that I could be in love withhim.
What kind of sick Stockholm Syndrome isthat?
But I roll over onto my side, looking at thedoor.
I know he’s in his bedroom. He went into it at the same time I came into mine. He walked across his bedroom floor, paced, for about an hour. But then I finally heard the rustle of his bed against the wall, the same one my own bed restsagainst.
I roll onto my knees and place my hands on the wall betweenus.
It’s just not possible. Wouldn’t make any sense. What does that make me if I developed feelings for a man likehim?
I can’t be in love with the King ofvampires.
* * *
You needto give in to your mother, Dad texts me on Friday night.This is stressing her out and it’s not fair. She has a right to want to meet her daughter’sboyfriend.
I sigh as I walk through the door on Friday afterwork.