Scorch (Virtues & Lies 2)

We’re in the middle of a war we could lose at any moment. We’ve gone into the battlefield blind. Our artillery is slowly being depleted, and we keep losing people along the way.

Dread is a constant pounding ache inside me. I try to ignore it, to eradicate it from my mind, but although it’s out of sight…it’s still very much in my mind. And when I try to force it out, it pangs, materialising itself into physical discomfort.

“How are we going to end this?”

“With blood. It’s the only way.”

Nodding into his chest, I curl the arm not sandwiched between us around his back and over his shoulder. My fingers skim his bullet wound.

The only way to win is by risking it all.

It’s all a gamble, and just as it might pay off, it might not.

“We need to get Georgina out of this. If anything happens to her…”

“I know.” Silencing me with a soothing hush, Christopher goes back to brushing my hair. “Why did you cut it?”

“I thought it would make it easier to look at myself. I thought it would make it easier to be someone else. It doesn’t. I’m still me.”

“I love still you.” The smile is apparent in his softened voice. “I wish I hadn’t dragged you into this.”

“I followed you willingly, even when I falsely protested. Besides, I would’ve stalked Casper into it. And anyway, who would you marry? Your options were limited.”

“You weren’t exactly on the to-marry list.”

“Arsehole!” I slap his shoulder blades. “The correct answer would be that I was the to-marry list.”

“I ripped it, so what does it matter?” He shrugs and I pull back.

“Wait. There was an actual list?”

“Not physically, but my grandmother had all her friends’ granddaughters lined up and ready. Are you surprised?”

No. Not really. But still… “Why wasn’t I on her list?”

“She can sense trouble. And you are trouble with a capital T for all intents and purposes.”

“Just because I don’t pander to her, doesn’t make me trouble.”

“It’s more me than it is you. And you’re a Mudblood.” His chuckle makes it impossible to hold my laugh in.

“I’m not!”

“Fine. Half-Blood, then.” Tickling my side, he sticks his tongue out at me. It’s funny how it’s all these little things that make him my Christopher. These little moments and glimpses that no one else gets. The sides of him that make him so much more than a cog in wheel that never stops turning.

And if I don’t have anything else to be thankful for in this life, I’ll alw

ays be grateful for him and his tenaciously kind soul. The softness and care he guards so vehemently.

“You’re giving me those eyes, morena, and I know you’re sore. So…”

“I know we’re different people now, but there are still parts of us left. You haven’t lost all your light, and you are still warm and caring. And I love you so much more. So so much more that actually it’s not a sickness or an insanity…it’s just all of me loving all of you limitlessly.”

Golden eyes soften to liquid honey. Pouty lips press tightly together with the most imperceptible wobble. It takes me all the way back to when we were just two people silly enough to fall in love with one another.

“You know, Cassie and I had this conversation a while back. I told her that the roughest time with the right person could be more than a peaceful lifetime with anyone else. I don’t think I actually understood the meaning of those words. Not really. I never saw any of this coming. In my head, rough was getting cabin fever. Not being able to do things the way we wanted. Having everyone else plan our wedding and make plans for our child. Being constantly followed around and watched from every angle. Herded in every direction.”

Gently, Christopher strokes my face. I didn’t realise I was crying. All I was focused on was him.