Page 36 of Healing Elixirs & Wicked Crows

"Oh, princess, I very much do wish, but sadly, I know wishes aren't in my future."Because I'm going to destroy any chance of a future with you.

She stood, grabbing her boots."I'd rather have taken my chances with the kelpie.Why do you care anyway?You barely even know me."

But I do know you,I wanted to say.I've known you since we were children.I've loved you for over a century.

Instead, I said, "I care if it gets you killed."

"Why?"she demanded, hands on her hips.

"Because anything that harms you, harms me.Besides, part of our oath is for me to protect you."I pulled my gaze away, looking at the lake's surface.Because you're my mate, my heart, my everything.

"You know nothing about me," she said, that familiar wrinkle between her brows appearing."You think you can just pop into my world, my life, and expect me to trust you?This..."She pointed between us."...is us working toward a common goal.Nothing more."

Her words stung because they were partially true.I would never truly belong with her.She was perfect light, and I was gathering darkness.Still, I had a part to play.

"At least I don't lie about what I want," I countered, though the words tasted like ash.Hypocrite.

"Lie."She laughed bitterly."You know nothing about me, or what I want."

I stepped closer until our bodies almost touched.The scent of her, vanilla and sunshine, consumed my senses."I am someone who will not hesitate to take what is mine."

What is mine.The words carried more truth than she could know.

I brought my lips within an inch of hers."I protect what is mine, princess."

I dropped her hand and headed back toward a nearby willow tree, her indignant breaths huffing behind me."I am not yours," she argued, but even I could hear how weak those words sounded.

When she followed me to our shelter, where I was already rolling out my bedroll inside the hollowed trunk.

"Tell me more about your sister," I said, hoping to guide us back to safer ground.

Relief washed over her features as she knelt beside the opening."She's been in a magically induced sleep for so long.I think most would have given up hope by now."

"But you never did," I replied, taking her bedroll and spreading it beside mine.

"I never did.She's the rightful heir to our—" She caught herself."She's everything to me."

Their royal heritage, I noted, watching her careful words.She's starting to trust me, even as I prepare to betray that trust.

"That must be hard.Not knowing if she'll ever wake.Being alone all this time."

"It's like living with half a heart," she confessed.

I know that feeling, I thought.I've lived with half a heart for over a century.

"And yet, here you are.Still fighting for her.That's something to be admired."

We shared a look filled with unspoken words before she broke eye contact.As she combed her fingers through her hair, I was transfixed by the simple gesture.

"What about your brother's curse?"she asked.

"It's been so long.I'm not even sure what's become of him.I know time is running out though.I've seen that in my dreams."The half-truths came easier now.

"What's it like in the unseelie kingdom?"

Nostalgia pulled at me.I gave her the same answer I’d given her ages ago, the first time she’d asked me."It's dangerous, but also wild and beautiful."

I waited for her to say she'd like to see it someday.The words never came.Instead, her face took on an odd expression before she pressed her lips together and pulled out her journal.