Chapter 5
EMBER POV
The room was big. It felt like it was waiting to swallow me.
"Does he live here alone?- I mumbled.
Evander had finally let go of my hand, but the place where his skin had touched mine was still humming, a warm throb that made the rest of the cold room feel even sharper. He stood by the window now, staring out at the jagged peaks of the Shadow Mountains. The moonlight caught the edge of his jaw, making him look like a statue carved from salt and sorrow.
I folded my arms together, resting it under my breast trying to stop the shaking by standing firm however , my feet were betraying me as they kept shaking tremendously.
I had spent twenty years hiding my fear from men who wanted to break me; now I refuse to be weak.
"How did you know?" I asked. My voice was small, but it didn't tremble.
Evander turned slightly, his silver eyes unreadable.
"Know what?" He asked, staring at me.
"Me," I said, stepping closer to the basin of water. "How did you know I was the one you wanted? You haven't seen me before. You just bought me like someone you have been waiting your whole life for.
He didn't utter , he just took a deep breath then stared at the ground we stood on.
And he walked toward me, his boots heavy on the stone floor. I wanted to flinch, to scramble back toward the bed, but I forced my feet to stand still. He stopped a foot away, the scent of woodsmoke and old steel clinging to him.
"Do you…love me? I stammered as I spoke ,my mind was filled with fears but I needed answers.
"I don't want a woman, Ember," he said, his voice a low rasp that felt like a physical touch.
He moved closer I could feel his breath on my face.
"What do you mean?" I asked trying to step back so I faces won't smoosh together.
" I got diagnosed with an illness three years ago, I have visited every healer but they all lied and took advantage of me"
He paused for a moment facing the ground,
I could feel the pain in his heart and how he fought to control it.
"That's all you need to know" he walked away from face heading to the door.
"Then why did you agree to take me, in place of my brother?. I muttered courage this time.
"Because you've what I need to survive "
"If I may ask, what could that be?
He turned back and dragged me close to his chest, with his hands wrapped around my waist.
Using his left hand , he just pointed toward the God Mark on my forehead.
I froze.
Then he placed his forehead on mine, our noses were touching each other.
"Damn …!!! He scents heavenly " my little wolf whispered. Making my heart race...
"The moment I stepped into your father's lands, the screaming in my head changed. It wasn't just pain anymore. It was a pull. Like a compass needle finding north. I didn't choose you, Ember. My soul recognized yours before I even saw your face."
His replied ; his voice was so deep that I felt my heart race with some much adrenaline.
"And the name?" I pressed, my heart hammering against my ribs.
He looked down at his own hand, his fingers curling into a fist. "When we touch, the barrier between us isn't there. Your memories... they leaked into me. I felt the warmth of someone holding you. I heard the name she gave you. It wasn't a choice, little light. It was an invasion." He drifts his eyes to my lips.
i immediately moved my face looking leftward.
I shivered, a cold realization sinking in. There was no privacy with him. No secrets. "So I'm just a leash to you? Something to keep the monster quiet?"
His expression darkened, a flicker of that raw, jagged pain crossing his features. "Right now? Yes. But I've lived in the dark for so long, I'd burn a thousand kingdoms just to keep the person who brings the light."