The Magic Between Us (Faerie 3)

“I’m going to tell you something that you might not like,” he warned.

“How will that be any different from a normal day?” she asked.

“I am very angry at you for not accepting me.”

Cecelia’s back straightened. “What right do you have to be angry?”

He laughed, but it was a sound with no mirth. “None, apparently. But I’m still hurt by it.” He was suddenly, clearly serious. “I always thought it would be me and you until the end of time.”

“Things change when time and space separate people.”

“Things don’t change that much,” he ground out.

Marcus didn’t know about her mother’s death. He didn’t know about her father’s problem with drinking too much. He didn’t know that her father needed her until he could heal. He didn’t know anything about her obligations. “You have no idea,” she finally said.

His brows rose and his eyes flashed. “Beg your pardon?”

“We were once fated for marriage. But things change. They change in irrevocable ways.” Her voice rose. But she didn’t care. “I believe you weren’t in a rush to marry me because you knew I’d always be there. That I was yours for the taking. That I would go wherever you led and do whatever you want to do. I was easy. So, you just didn’t care to try.”

He made a noise at the back of his throat. “I can assure you that nothing with you has ever been easy. Including this.”

She snorted. She couldn’t help it.

“When you loved me, I threw it all away. But some day, you’ll love me again.”

“I can’t, Marcus,” she said. “You didn’t

care enough.”

“No one will ever care more than me. Not even him.”

“Him who?”

“See,” he laughed. “You don’t even care enough to know his name. Yet you’ve promised to marry him?”

“Oh, him,” she said. “I didn’t understand what you were saying.”

“Who is he?” Marcus tensed, his back straight.

“He’s no one.” She heaved a sigh.

“He’s someone if you’ve promised your life to him,” Marcus mumbled.

“Oh, good Lord,” Cecelia said, getting to her feet. “Will you stop it? Envy is not a pretty color on you.”

“Get used to it. Because I’ll wear it as long as you’re promised to someone else.” He stood up and got close to her, so close that she had to take a step back. But he just followed. “I will never stop. I will chase you until I can’t chase you anymore.”

“I don’t want to be chased,” she whispered.

“You want to be married. And to have children. And to have a home of your own.” He brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “You want me.”

She shook her head. This was going nowhere. “I’m going to bed.” She pushed past him toward the garden gate.

Marcus spun to chase her. “Tell me who he is.” He tugged gently on her elbow.

“Who?”

“The man who will keep you from me.”