Page 138 of Demon's Beauty

Goddess, I’d keep her here forever if I could.

Safe in my arms, protected, right by my side for the rest of my days.

The want is so keen I keep speaking, keep digging my grave deeper shovel by shovel, knowing it likely won’t make one damn bit of difference.

“I can see how much it’s tearing you apart, sunshine,” I tell her gently, a finger under her chin to tip her face up toward mine. “If it was truly something you wanted, wouldn’t it be easier than this?”

A flash of indignation in my witch’s eyes, of challenge, of that same stubborn streak she’s had since the very beginning.

“It’s not that simple.”

“Perhaps not,” I allow, not ready to concede the point completely. “But you came here for something. You left the coven for something. You didn’t have to do that, but you chose it.”

Soleil steps away, and the empty space she leaves behind is like a physical ache.

“Maybe I just needed the reminder,” she says. “The time I spent in the mountains working with Vayla, and in Gales Harbor, it reminded me what I love about my craft. It made me remember everything I want to accomplish when I Ascend.”

Is that all this was to her?

A way to temporarily escape her life?

Some sort of reset, a pause to remind her she was always going to walk away from me?

I can’t ask the questions. As much as my heart aches and as conflicted as I feel, I can’t let the words out without them becoming ugly accusations.

And my witch doesn’t deserve that.

Certainly not from me—a demon with no foot to stand on when it comes to duty and responsibility and having people depend on me.

But, perceptive as ever, Soleil seems to read at least a little of that conflict on my face.

“It’s not you, Finn,” she says, and though she sounds sincere, I can’t quite believe her.

If I had more to offer, maybe she would stay.

If I was enough, she wouldn’t need to leave.

Deep down, I know it’s not true. I know there’s more to my witch’s life than me, that she’s got so much waiting for her back in her realm.

And yet.

I didn’t expect how much it would hurt.

My heart, breaking.

My mate, ready to walk away from me and the life we could have.

My future—a future I didn’t even know existed barely a week ago—entirely uncertain.

“And I’m… not deciding anything,” she continues. “Not right now. I just need to go back and talk to Esme.”

The look in her eyes doesn’t match the words she’s saying.

She looks… resolved. As if she’s already decided and now she’s just trying to delay the consequences.

“When do you have to leave?”

A beat of silence, and I have my answer.