Page 47 of His Darkest Desire
“What tomes I could salvage formed the core of this collection,” Vex continued, “and the stones formed the foundation of this cottage. It is no glorious rebirth from the ashes of ruin, but…it is mine.”
He grew quiet. Kinsley sensed that there was so much more behind his words, a whole story filled with pain and loss. Her eyes moved over the room, which was far simpler but no less magical than what he’d shown her. This room was the more welcoming of the two by far.
And as grand and wondrous as his old library had been, she doubted she could think of it without recalling the horror of it falling apart around her.
There’d been fury in his voice when he’d spoken of the tower’s destruction. Fury that had been simmering for a long, long time. Maybe it had been some sort of natural disaster, but the emotions he’d let through, though muted, suggested something far more deliberate had occurred.
Kinsley drew back from him. “Who destroyed your home?”
Vex released her, but not before Kinsley felt the reluctant tension in his arms. His expression was grim, those dark eyebrows low over his smoldering red eyes, the corners of his mouth downturned, his jaw clenched.
Shade floated behind him, flames dimming as they turned their little head to look from Vex to Kinsley and back again.
“It is in the past,” Vex replied tightly. “You need not concern yourself with her.”
Kinsley’s brow furrowed. “Her?”
His lips peeled back, giving her a glimpse of his fangs before he turned from her. “My home of old was destroyed. I’ve no desire to speak of it further.”
She ran her gaze over Vex’s back as he stepped away. Tension radiated from him, and the air around him dimmed and warped. She knew him just well enough to understand that this wasn’t the time to press him for more answers.
“We’re allowed our secrets,” she said gently.
Especially when it’s a matter of life and death…
“Indeed,” he said, glancing at her over his shoulder. “And secrets hold value, human. They should never be given away.”
“Would you say the same for names?”
Vex turned toward her, narrowing his eyes. “I would.” He stalked across the distance separating them, his eyes pinning her in place. “Not that you gave your true name away.”
Kinsley tilted her head. “How did I not?”
“You believe you’ve received naught in return?”
“Maybe I misunderstood our deal, but I don’t recall my true name being part of the price. You demanded it of me anyway.”
“It was necessary to seal our pact, Kinsley.”
“In the human world, the contract would need the names of both parties to be valid.”
Shade flitted beside Vex, flashing at him in warning and speaking rapidly.
“This is not the mortal world,” Vex growled, waving the wisp away, “and your oath remains binding.”
Kinsley glared at him and clenched her hands at her sides. “Right. I have to give you a baby. Thank you so much for that reminder.”
She spun toward the door, needing to get away from him. Her anger was made all the more frustrating by the tears stinging her eyes. For a fleeting moment, she’d actually sympathized with him. She’d seen his anguish. When he showed those little signs of compassion and kindness, when he offered those tiny glimpses of humanity, it was easy to forget why she was here in the first place.
But he always made sure to remind her in the end, didn’t he?
“Stop,” Vex commanded.
She ignored him.
His hand closed around her wrist, bringing her to an abrupt halt.
Kinsley turned her glare back on him and gave her hand a tug. “Let me go.”