Page 74 of His Darkest Desire
Vex was gone.
“Damn it!” She groaned, letting her head drop back as she willed her body to calm. “Why does he keep doing that?”
“He is solemn,” said Shade quietly, “and often overly dramatic.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Though much of the forest remained damp after the storm, it was vibrant and full of life. Warm, bright rays of sunshine streamed through breaks in the canopy, creating scattered pillars of golden light. Dew drops glistened upon thick ferns, tree branches creaked and leaves rustled in the gentle breeze, and birds sang their songs to the late morning. Kinsley had even seen a few rabbits peeking out from the nearby undergrowth.
She sat cross legged upon a blanket she’d spread on the forest floor, admiring her surroundings and breathing deep the woodland air. It was sweet with the scents of earth, vegetation, and rain.
The serene landscape was more than worth the dull ache in her back and the mild cramping in her pelvis.
Turning to the craft tote beside her, she lifted the lid and removed her journal, laying the book on the mossy log in front of her.
“I missed this,” she said as she opened the journal.
Echo fluttered closer to the log. “Missed what, Kinsley?”
She motioned to the woods. “All of this. Before I came here, I was living in London with Aunt Cece. London is a huge city with buildings taller than the trees of this forest, and streets filled with cars and people. But while it has some of the loveliest parks I’ve ever seen, it’s just not the same. It’s not…this.”
Kinsley smiled at the wisps, who hovered before her. Though they’d positioned themselves out of the direct sun, their glows were diminished by the daylight, making them appear more ghostly than ever. But none of them seemed bothered by it.
“Back home,” she continued, “I explored so many forests and national parks. I love being outdoors, in nature, breathing the fresh air. I love just being away from it all.” She turned her face toward the trees. “And now I am. It’s strange, but as much as I miss my family, I…feel at home here.”
But it isn’t just this place, is it Kinsley? It’s Vex.
She wanted to deny those thoughts, but she couldn’t. It wasn’t the trees or the land. It was him. She was drawn to Vex. Since the night of the crash, she’d sensed him, she’d felt him. His voice, his touch, had dragged her out of the eternal darkness that’d been swallowing her.
And she knew, despite the scars on her heart, despite the pain she still carried, that her feelings for him were more than lust. Though he’d initially been cold and abrasive, he’d come to show warmth and compassion, thoughtfulness, and surprising patience. He’d even offered glimpses of playfulness—something she doubted he’d ever shown to anyone, given the way the wisps had described him.
Yet what would come of it? What future could they share? Why would an immortal being, who commanded such power, care to spend any more of his time than was absolutely necessary with someone like Kinsley?
Necessary… That’s the key, isn’t it? He’s spending this time with me because it’s necessary for him to achieve his goals.
Still, she couldn’t entirely believe that. If he truly only saw her as a tool, a means of getting the child he wanted, why would he have shown her vulnerability? Why let her see his real, raw emotions, why offer a look into his painful past? Why accept her teasing, and why tease back?
One thing about their relationship was clear, even if nothing else was—Vex could have taken what he wanted at any moment.
But he hadn’t.
If only she and Vex had met under better circumstances. If only they’d been drawn together not by death, not by their bargain, not by the…the thing he wanted.
Flare brushed her arm, their touch bearing a hint of warmth. “These ones are glad to share a home with you.”
“Glad too that you have made it your home,” said Echo.
Home.
Was this her home now?
Her chest constricted with yearning for this place to truly be her home. Yearning for true, unconditional love.
For…Vex.
“Thank you for sharing it with me,” Kinsley said.
Taking hold of the journal’s leather cover, she thumbed through the pages to the place where she’d left off. She skimmed her fingers along the edge of the journal as she stared at the blank white paper. Kinsley had spent so many hours pouring her emotions into this book, had cried so many tears. There were pages of pain, loss, and heartbreak, pages of despair.