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He sed "How do you feel?" She’d gotten what she’d been after Her curse was gone, and she was free It still aht about it

Her brow furrowed as she thought about her answer "Nor change is in here" She tapped her te used to the idea that it’s over I have a future, you know?" She looked away, then back at hi How do you feel?"

What would she say when he told her? He shoved his hands in his pockets and drew in a deep breath, his nerves having a field day "The same I’m still the same, Ari"

It took aa tiny bit paler A frorinkled her forehead "But--" She shook her head

"I told Horus not to changeon to the dresser behind her with both hands

"Because things changed When ere fighting in the cathedralAnd after, with everything that happenedStrength, powerThey have their benefits"

"Benefits," she repeated

God, this was uncomfortable "The kind that allow me to protect the people I care about"

She blinked "You didn’t have to do that You hate--"

"No I’ soht? It wasn’t a sacrifice in the way you’re thinking It’s for er, ive that up There’s security in that I can stand up to whatever comes our way in the future It takes some of the worry away, for me, for the kids, the babyyou"

Her mouth curved in a rueful smile "And I ended up withIf I had, though, I would’ve made the saing his attention to the faint glisten left behind His pulse kicked up a notch Did she really have to do that? Nohen he was trying his daood and keep his distance?

Her expression shifted to sad acceptance Her chin lifted, and she parked a suess that makes us friends, then"

Wait "What? No"

"No?"

"No"

Hurt filled her eyes "I can’t, Sebastian I’ you to be okay withLook, I , and I screwed ular schedule I’o crazy like I did before" He ran a hand down his face, wanting desperately for her to understand, to believe in hiain He moved forward, closer, but not too close "I didn’t let you in before, and I’m sorry I told you I wanted to be in a relationship and then I shut you out It wasn’t fair I was afraid"

"Afraid?"

"Of turning you off, hurting you, of losing everyone If you all sahen Iit wasn’t pretty It was ugly and harsh and violent And it wasand that s worse II don’t knoas stupid, an ass, whatever you want to call me"

She pushed off the dresser and took a step forward The scent of her soap and shaers itched to reach out and touch her, but he forced theht to touch her She’d told him before that she was "done" And he wasn’t sure if she still felt that way

He wanted her to make her own decision, to touch him if she wanted to He didn’t knohy, but that wasout, she’d be accepting hi

"I’llup at him with an unreadable expression He sed and nodded "If you are possessed with the urge to drink fro, you come to me"

A spark of hope stirred in his chest She would help hireat sign

"If you need to drink froether"

Hope exploded, firing through his chest like a goddamn missile His heart thumped hard and fast And when she reached out and placed both of her hands on his hips, he lost it He totally lost it He dragged her to him and held on for dear life