-Aurelian Salvatore:
The question hit me like a blade. I know it was going to come up, I just didn't know it was going to be this soon.
"Why do you always wear a mask?" Elias asked, his tone sharp, careless, cruel without even trying. "Are you that ugly?"
I froze, my breath hitched.
The smirk that had been sitting so comfortably on my face vanished in an instant, as it had never existed. No amusement. No mockery. No arrogance left to hide behind. Just a hollow, ringing stillness that settled deep in my chest at the reminder of that curse. That stupid, ancient fucking curse that had ruined everything. My life. My face. My name. My existence. My love life. My opportunity of ever being a normal person who can fall in love and have a family.
I stared at him, at his beautiful yet angry face.
Not a single atom of humor remained in me.
He noticed. Of course he did. His brows furrowed in confusion and suspicion as if he was trying to figure me out.
