Page 131 of Stormhold

It was like we were pouring all those moments of unresolved yearning into this one kiss. He was completely claiming me, and I let him because there was nothing else I’d rather want. His lips bruised mine, and my heart ached as we became one. He didn’t have to tell me he loved me—this kiss was enough to know. You don’t kiss someone like they are your dying breath unless they’ve a permanent place in your heart.

And just like the last seconds didn’t happen, he abruptly broke out. His eyes wide and tortured, his breaths heavy and hot on my skin. The look in them made my heart go wilder.

“Ark,” I tried, my voice a shuddering mess. Every part of me felt the lingering heaviness of him, even the parts he didn’t claim.

With those same tortured eyes still on me, he shot to his feet and walked away, without looking back. The second time tonight. And both times he took my heart with him.

The next morning, when I woke up, Arkane was nowhere to be found, just like he had promised.

Only there was a simple note by the bedside that ordered me to take my pain pills and come up for breakfast. Was it here last night, or did he come in after that…kiss? I still felt the sting of his lips on mine. But I’d only be a fool to think it changed anything between us. Last night was nothing but a momentary lapse of judgment. Knowing Arkane, I was sure he thought that way. But it still didn’t erase the fact that he kissed me like he loved me. But is it my responsibility to make him see that?

I sighed, but did what he asked and downed the pills because my body was screaming in pain. The Surmans did do a number on me.

Only Buddy greeted me when I exited the room, and I crouched down to give him some love before I decided to venture upstairs and face my sisters.

It didn’t take me long to make my way into the front room. It was just down the hallway by his study on the East wing. It was about the size of my entire apartment with the same vintage feel as the rest of the house. The marble floors, dark wooden walls, and soothing furniture blended well with the french windows on the back wall, which opened to the backyard garden and the ocean beyond.

“Great, you’re here. I was just about to go get you,” Ella said upon my appearance, a determined look in her eyes as she sat with her back upright and arms folded. Ari sat quietly next to her, still shaken from yesterday's events.

I sighed internally, knowing I was in for the interrogation of my life.

Arkane looked like he was running on his last resort as he sat there reading the Twins Daily. I was sure Ella grilled him, and he had no choice but to be polite. Grayson also matched Arkane’s exaggerated expression as he sat in the corner of the room, staring at the ocean.

Only Jon seemed to genuinely enjoy the tension, though his eyes kept flickering toward Ella more than once, a crazy look in them as he watched her. And even though she was focused on me, I could tell she felt his eyes from the slight flush on her cheeks. The way her eyes dashed to him felt familiar. It was almost as if those two already knew each other. Did they? I knew Jon had the personality to make quick friends, but the same couldn’t be said for my sister.

Arkane’s eyes found mine, and I searched them, my pulse fluttering as images of last night flashed in my mind. But his eyes looked vacant and polite. He was going to pretend like it never happened. Although the thought hurt my chest, what can I do? I can’t change a man’s mind.

He put the newspaper aside and was by my side, holding a hand on my shoulder. “You okay?” he asked gently, his attention only on me.

“Yes,” I said, and he helped me situate myself on the couch.

“I’ll ask Georgie to set something up for you,” he said, looking me in the eye. “You must be hungry.”

“I am.” I smiled gratefully despite our changed relationship. Nice Arkane was hard to resist, especially now that he wasn’t doing it for any ulterior motive. Even if he were, I had nothing else to give him but myself. Only if he asked.

“I’m sure you must have a lot to talk about,” Arkane said softly. “I’ll leave you to it.” He nodded toward my sisters, and waved a hand to his brothers.

“No, this is the best part. I want to stay,” Jon fussed, shaking his shoulders, and Arkane simply placed his hand around the back of his neck and pushed him out of the room. Grayson left before them, like he couldn’t be bothered with us first thing in the morning.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back, Cinder Ella darling,” Jon announced with a grin just before he left the room, which made Ella’s cheeks blush pink as she glared at his back.

Arkane smacked the back of Jon’s head, finally dragging him out, and my eyes went back to my sisters just as they left. They were looking at me as if I were a different person altogether

“So?” Ella tapped a frustrated finger on her thigh, but I could tell she was worried sick. And Ari wouldn’t even look at me. She was too focused on wringing her fingers.

Taking a deep breath, I explained everything starting from the beginning, and my sisters listened without saying a word. Only their eyes flashed with an array of emotions.

“Is that where you were for those eight years?” Ella was the first one to speak, her eyes filled with unshed tears as she came up to my side. “Training to be this badass girl?” She pressed a kiss to my forehead and said, “I’m so proud of you, Bellebelle.”

My eyes widened as I returned her hug. That was the last thing I’d expected her to say. I thought Ella would place me in prison herself, because her religion condemned violence, but here she was being a sister first, and I loved her for that.

“So you kill people?” Ari whispered.

My eyes went to Ari, who looked at me like I was a new person. I slowly nodded. “Yes.”

“And so does Shouma?”

“Kind of. He’s a spy.”