Trembling and breathless, I clung to Gideon as tightly as I could while he ran, escaping into the dark. My fingers dug into his shoulders, my face buried in his neck as the wind tore past us.
I did it.
My self-control prevailed.
I chose Gideon—not because I wanted to leave Vesper, but because I wanted to save myself. If Gideon hadn't come when he did, Eriu would have taken full control of me. I refused to become her puppet, refused to let her overindulge in whatever she pleased.
Even now, I'm drowning in sensation—high with pleasure, my mind fried, my judgment completely shattered. My pain still lingers. I am lost.
What is Gideon to me?
I don't even know why he came for me.
But one thing I swear: I will not hurt him again.
I don't want to be his burden—yet here I am, clinging to him, grateful he still cares.
Did he come because he loves me… or because he pitied me?
His warmth wraps around me, steady and real, and I drift into sleep.
⸻
When I wake, we're beneath a massive willow, its branches drooping low, thick with shadow. Gideon is on his feet, scanning the land for any sign of pursuit.
I feel groggy—wrong, like I'm not fully myself.
He glances back, then walks toward me.
"Rest a little longer. It's clear for now. No movement."
His voice is deep, warm… grounding.
"Where's Vesper?" I ask.
I hate that this is the first thing I say. My body still craves that high—that blinding bliss he gave me.
"Sienna," Gideon says firmly, "you're under his spell. You have to keep fighting it."
A part of me thinks this is all a dream. Gideon saving me? Impossible. He told me we were over. He let me go.
The pain crashes back into me, raw and brutal.
"I need to go back to him," I sob. "He can take my pain away. Please—I need him."
My mind is fractured. Vesper's voice still echoes inside me. I don't know what's real anymore.
Gideon reaches for me. I slap his hand away.
"Don't touch me! Was breaking my heart not enough?" I cry. "You said you didn't want me—so why are you here?! Stop playing with me. I'm already empty!"
His eyes are shattered when he pulls me into his arms.
"I was wrong," he says hoarsely. "My pride ruined everything. I shouldn't have let you go."
I fight his hold.
"Please, Gideon. I need Vesper. I don't want to hurt you. Just take me back."
I know what this is—withdrawal. Separation. He poisoned my mind.
Gideon tightens his arms around me.
"What do I have to do to make you feel better? Tell me."
My voice breaks.
"Make me feel good. I need to feel good."
He doesn't speak any longer, and his warm tongue licks my nape and my bosoms. I gasp as if he has awakened my senses. He grazes his fingers along the small of my back, then his warm hands travel, fondling every inch of my body. I whimper at the very sensation he makes me feel. He rips every piece of fabric from me as he keeps licking my curves, my thighs, and my sweetest, most sensitive spot. I writhe and twist with pleasure. Every second is pure heaven. The more he devours me, the more I push him to swallow me whole. I want more. I want him not to forget me. I want him to feel that leaving me is never an option, and I want him to yearn only for me. I want to conquer every part of him that only my very touch can satisfy.
I pull him closer, turn him over, and climb on top of him. I can tell from his face this is all new to him. This is not how bonds get done. I am fine with that — I will make him regret even thinking of letting me go. I slowly slide down, kissing and licking just as much as he does. He grunts and moans, and that turns me on even more. I suck the very life out of him. The friction, movement, and emotion leave him panting and heaving. I am not done. I move up and thrust myself into him. He embraces me so tightly at the very moment he feels that euphoric pressure. I move slowly, deliberately, then hard and with urgency. He is what I need. We are bound now, not only physically but with every thread of my being linked to him. I am not sure if I am doing this anymore because of a hunger to mate, but I think this is more than pleasure. When we both reach our climax, I collapse on his chest. Only for him to roll over me.
"Sienna, you became stronger. You finally matched me. I knew you would always be the one and plenty more." He licks my leg and bites the side of my thigh.
I let out a delicate squeal before he sinks deep into me. As once again I tremble in so much delight, he lets me rest on his arms, then turns me over and presses onto me again and again. His desire unravels completely, and he has me repeatedly, and I let him do to me as much as he pleases. The pleasure I feel with Gideon is a mix of mind and heart. It is raw, pure, and genuine, the very sensual feeling I truly crave.
I don't know how I survived it, but as my mind clears, the fear, guilt, and doubt creep in.
Gideon is finally resting, and my mind is a battlefield, conflicted by my thoughts of Gideon's pity. I convince myself he did it to save me from my desperation and his kindness. He's done so much for me, and all he asked was his peace of mind. It is so wrong of me to take advantage of him. I need to set him free, to not be his burden any longer. I cannot stay beside him any longer. Also, I don't want to hear more painful words from his lips, so I run. I run away. The Oracle was right. I am a bad omen that only brings him chaos and trouble.