Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(63)

“He is still on your mind,” Edward says, disappointment evident on his face.

True, but if it weren't for Krev, I would have confessed that I love him. I debate about telling him that the goblin visited, then decide against it. I need to know from Krev why I can't fall in love with Edward. I need him to stop messing with my mind, especially when Edward tries to kiss me.

“Just give me a bit more time.” I might as well use Jason as an excuse. “Jason and I were together for two years. I can’t get over him so soon. And you know I’m not the impetuous teen that I was when I first met you. I’ll never see my family and friends again if I stay with you. When I say yes, I want to be absolutely sure.”

Silence stretches between us for such a long time that I have to speak again. “Edward?”

He exhales. “I’m done with you.”

If he’d told me this after the ball, I might have believed him. But telling me he didn’t want anything else to do with me right after he kissed me with passion and desire . . . I find it difficult to follow his train of thought.

“Can you say that again?”

A long finger touches the underside of my chin, tilting my face to meet his.

“I’m done with getting to know you,” Edward says, his voice husky. His finger is uncommonly warm, sending sparkles down my neck and body. “You told me that we should be re-acquainted. I believe that the months we’ve spent together since have been sufficient for that purpose.” He leans in, so close that his breath warms my ear. “From now on, I am going to seduce you.”





31





I enter the sitting room the next morning with a conflicted mix of trepidation and anticipation, Edward’s ‘threat’ of seduction echoing in my head. I simply couldn’t kiss Edward with the goblin’s shrill voice intruding my mind. It felt like Krev was physically present in the room, hovering over my shoulder, watching me like a hawk. It felt like Krev had cast some stupid curse on me, like the memory spell.

I set my jaw. If I could break through the barrier that withheld my memories of Athelia, then I can also conquer this ridiculous ban, though deep in the recesses of my mind, there’s an anxiety that keeps me from being wholly optimistic. Why doesn’t Krev want me to stay in Athelia?

I touch my left shoulder. The mark Krev gave me is still there, hidden by the long sleeves of my silken petticoats and satin gown. I should be grateful that it’s early autumn, or I’d have a lot to explain to Amelie and Mabel about the sinister-looking red circle etched on my skin, like the brand of the devil.

Edward is lounging on the sofa as usual, his long legs crossed casually in front of him. He lowers his paper when I approach him, and a smile, slow and gradual yet effective all the same, spreads over his face.

“Shall we go down to breakfast?”

He stands up and offers his arm. Something strikes me as unusual about him—I squint and discover that his cravat, usually neatly tied around his neck, is crooked.

“Wait.” I reach out and try to right the cravat, but somehow, I can’t get it positioned correctly.

“I’m afraid that we’ll have to loosen and re-tie it,” Edward says, sounding amused. “Will you do it for me, Kat?”

Knowing how he keeps himself immaculately groomed, I could bet my annual allowance that he left his cravat askew on purpose. But also, knowing how much he loves me, I’m not at all bothered with this contrivance. Following his instructions, I learn how to wrap the long end over the short end, create a double fold, and finally tuck the fabric into his charcoal gray waistcoat. In the beginning, I was only focusing on how the Athelian cravat compares to a modern necktie, but when I’m almost done, I become aware of his gaze on my face, hot and filled with desire. My cheeks heat up—the act of tying his cravat seems so intimate, even more than the dancing lessons. Any lady could dance with him at a ball, but only a wife can have the privilege of fixing his cravat.

“There.” I smooth the front of his waistcoat, my fingers trembling slightly as I sense the heat radiating from his body. “All done.”

“All done,” he repeats, his voice a deep baritone.

“Breakfast,” I say. “We should go down to breakfast.”

“In a moment.”

Edward’s hands slide slowly from my hips, tracing the sides of my body until they rest on my shoulders. A thrill runs down my spine. I meet his eyes, which are glowing like the fire in the grate. Without thinking, I tilt my head, my heart pounding with anticipation. Forget that stupid goblin. I’m not going to care—

“Girlie!” Krev’s voice pierces through my head. “Stay away from him!”

“Ow!” I break away from Edward and look around wildly, but there’s no sign of Krev. How is it that I can still hear him?

“Kat?” Edward looks alarmed. “What happened? You suddenly went as pale as a sheet of paper, as though the world were coming to an end.”

“I just felt a bit dizzy,” I lie. “Maybe I’m not fully recovered from that day I fainted at the ball. I’m all right now, honestly.”

A servant knocks on the door, asking if we’re ready to go down to breakfast. Edward releases me, but not before making me promise that I’ll see Dr. Jensen if my symptoms become worse.