Celine isn’t in love with me. Not now and certainly not then. She values truth and order, and I’m the opposite of both. I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. That’s the answer to her question, but if I tell her that, I’ll lose this moment.
Her fingers grip my chin. “Where did you go?” she asks. “You’re standing in front of me, but you’ve never been so far away.”
I blink, and bands of static roll over my face, neck, and chest. I’m glitching, my lack of control too obvious to hide. Celine’s eyes never stray from mine. I’m the one who looks away. I’m a coward, and I can’t deny it. Nothing is more terrifying than hope.
“I can’t tell you,” I whisper. “I might not survive your response.”
Celine strokes my cheek. “Are you worried about the maskor worried that I’ll see beneath it?” She kisses me again, softer this time, and sighs against my lips.
There’s nothing that could erase my desire for her, but now that the urgency is gone, I can absorb every touch without distraction or escape.
“You didn’t answer my question, but I’ll answer yours, anyway. You fascinate me,” Celine says. “But it has nothing to do with the mask and everything to do with you. The way you think, how you move, the inherent kindness living within you that themonster realm couldn’t destroy. There’s a connection between us. I know it, the guys know it, and you know it, too, but I won’t beg for you, Riven. If you want me, you’ll have to conquer your fear and take me.”
She bends to retrieve her towel, then leaves me in a cloud of steam. I shiver, despite the heat. The chill is coming from inside me, and without her, there’s nothing to hold it back.
My pants join my shirt on the ground. I step into the shower and let the hot water stab me until my skin stings as badly as the rest of me.
Celine wanted me, and I did nothing about it.
I can be anyone, but when it mattered the most, I didn’t have what it took to be hers.
TWENTY
Unspoken Rule of the Fringes #18:
There’s nothing wrong with spying.
LUCA
Their conversation is painful. I’m torn between covering my ears or knocking some sense into Riven, but I keep my ass firmly planted on the bed. I shouldn’t be listening. What am I supposed to do, though? Hide under the bed?
We can all hear them, and no one makes any attempts to change that.
I can feel Celine, anyway. Her insecurity when it comes to Riven, and the fizzy buzz of anticipation. It crackles along the bond, making the ribbon of light jittery.
I have to accept him.
Celine wants him. And as stupid as he’s acting right now, he won’t hold out for long. Who would? And why? She’s beautiful, smart, brave, and loyal—he’d be a fool to resist her.
The bathroom door opens, and we all pretend to stare at theTV. Except,fuck,Alistair muted it fifteen minutes ago and tossed the remote on the bedside table.
I shoot him a look, but it’s too late. We have no choice but to own our nosiness or fake hearing loss.
Celine rounds the corner, glancing at the TV and rolling her eyes as she uses a full-sized towel to dry her hair. She’s completely naked.
My lips twitch. Yep. Riven doesn’t stand a chance.
Also, what the fuck is wrong with that guy? Who lets a woman like her walk away?
Not ussss.My basilisk is smug, and I climb to my feet, pleased to find there’s absolutely nothing wrong with our reasoning skills. “Baby, have I told you recently how flawless you are?”
Celine shakes her head, but there’s a hint of a smile on her lips. “I’m not flawless, Luca.”
I scoff. “Come closer. I’ll do a thorough inspection.”
Ciprian fake gags. “Your lines are worse than 80s porn.”
“You were quick with that one.” I raise one eyebrow. “Are we about to learn that the enclave’s golden boy has a vintage porn addiction?”