Heart of Stone - Book 1: Fighting Fate

His heart stopped beating as her words struck him. He stared at her, too stunned to move, too stunned to speak, too stunned to even think.

She would choose him over Dan. But was it a choice of free will or because she had no other option?

He needed to know. As much as he wanted to accept what she was saying, he needed to know it was because she wanted to be with him.

With a racing heart, he reached up with one hand and touched her cheek. Trailing his finger along her jaw like he had that first time in the mall, she closed her eyes and trembled under his touch as he clasped her chin between his thumb and index finger. He waited for her to open her eyes again, as he searched them for understanding.

“You don’t have to.”

Although he was terrified of what he’d find within the windows to her soul, he needed to know exactly how she felt.

He’d never noticed how beautiful her eyes were until now. How the edges of her irises were a dark forest green, melting into an olive green before changing to a warm chestnut brown and deepening to a russet brown around her pupils. They were so captivating that he couldn’t tear himself away and could barely fathom the words whispering from her lips. She entwined her fingers with his in her lap and clutched his hand in both of hers, pressing it against her pounding heart.

“What if I want to?” she asked.

He could feel her heartbeat quicken against his hand. Warmth spread through him from her touch.

Despite the pain and heartache in her eyes, he could see that deep down, she did yearn for him. She did have strong feelings for him that she’d been bottling up inside and fighting against.

They’d both been fighting this entire time. Unable to tear themselves from the bond that drew them together.

She would willingly give herself to a beast like him? He couldn’t believe it.

“You... would be willing... to be with me?” He could hardly get the words out as he continued to stare into her eyes.

“How can I say no when I can’t go one day, one hour, without thinking about you?” she whispered. “How can I marry Dan and live my life with him when I will always be thinking of you and wondering if you’re just a few feet away, or a few miles away? How can I have his children when it’s your touch that I crave?”

She closed her eyes, her brows furrowing as she leaned her forehead against his. Her breathing was growing heavier as she clutched tightly to his hand against her chest.

“I didn’t understand any of it at first, until yesterday. Then it all made sense. All of it. We’re soulmates. We’re destined to be together, right?” She pulled back a little, her eyes searching his.

“Yes,” was all he could say.

“How can I stay with him when I’m meant to be with you?” she asked before answering herself. “I can’t. I can’t bear the thought of leaving you now.”

“Then don’t,” he said, drawing her closer.

Her words struck him to the core and cracked him open, breaking down the walls he’d built up around his heart. Crumbling, he released the hold he had over himself. Released the emotions he’d been bottling up. All the fear and doubt that had been eating away at him, he let them fall away. Like the crimson leaves fluttering away from the trees in the autumn, he let himself fall.

It wasn’t possible—couldn’t be possible. She was a human, and yet she was meant for him.

Brushing his fingers through her damp hair, her name tumbled from his lips, making her shiver as he cradled the back of her head in his palm and closed the distance between them.

He brushed his lips lightly against hers. Even after everything she had said, he could sense her hesitation. And while he didn’t know if it was because of him and what he was or because of Dan, he didn’t want to press her. He wanted to enjoy the moment. Feel the softness of her lips on his as he caressed them.

It was bittersweet. He could feel the lingering pain of her heartache on her lips when all he wanted to do was take that pain away.

She still loved Dan. That much was clear.

Despite that, he could feel the budding flower of her feelings towards him beginning to grow. It had already taken root, pushing against her barriers, and now it had broken through the surface.

Indeed, there was no going back.

She wrapped her arms around his neck before she pulled away.

He coaxed her head to rest against his shoulder before he scooped her up in both arms and carried her into the living room and sat down on one of the plush leather chairs. Cradling her on his lap, he rested his hand behind her head and held her close to his heart. He closed his eyes, relishing in the moment as his warmth and steady heartbeat lulled her.

He wanted to hold her like this forever.

Brushing his fingers through her damp hair again, he kissed the top of her head as a sigh of contentment left her lungs.

“I accept you,” he said. “However, you must do one thing for me before we can be together.”

She stiffened, and he rubbed the small of her back until she relaxed before he continued.

“I need you to break up with Dan.”

“I know,” she said, her head and body still curled up against his chest.

“You will return to the city with Gwen. She will stay with you and Dan until you have made your peace with him. Tell him as much of the truth as you can, but you must not tell him about what we are and about the vampires. Our lives depend on secrecy. If he loves you, he will accept your reasons for leaving him because he will want you to be happy.”

She nodded but said nothing.

“Aubree,” he said, his tone more gentle as he drew her chin up so their eyes met. “Take as much time as you need.”

Her eyes pooled with tears as he kissed her forehead.

He drew her head back against his heart and closed his eyes as her salty tears slid silently down her cheeks.

It would be hard, he knew, but she had to do it. He would give her as much space and time as she needed. He knew he couldn’t rush her. This was something she had to do on her own.

She needed to free her heart from Dan before she could ever be ready to love him.

Truth was, he needed some time as well. Even though he was sure that Aubree was the reincarnation of Adelaide, he still loved Adelaide deeply. He still mourned her. He still wasn’t ready to give Aubree the love she deserved from her mate.

Kissing the top of her head, he silently vowed to do whatever it took to protect her and make her short life with him as memorable and happy as it could be.

He owed her that much.

He knew there would be many risks and even more challenges to come, but if she was willing to go through it all with him, then he could handle it.

She was his soulmate, and he was never going to give up on that again.

In a soft, husky voice, he whispered the words:

“Dû bist mîn, ich bin dîn:

des solt dû gewis sîn.

Dû bist beslozzen

in mînem herzen.

Verlorn ist das slüzzelîn:

dû muost immer drinne sîn.”

You are mine, I am yours,

Thereof you may be certain.

You’re locked away

within my heart.

Lost is the key

And you must ever be therein.

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Author's Note: The story continues in HEART OF STONE- Book 2: Hearts Collide. Be sure to check it out!