Page 44 of Rumpelstilzchen

“My whole life, I’ve never had any power. I was born into servitude and was destined to dedicate my life to my family’s flour mill. I love my brothers and sisters, and I didn’t mind the workload much, so I accepted that.” Boy sent the ball of shadows back into the golden thread and watched in awe as they swirled around it like snakes.

“I accepted when Father wanted to send me to the palace as tithe. I accepted when the Royal Guard locked me in this cell. And when the Queen came and decreed my inevitable death, I accepted that too.” Finally, he raised his head and sought out the onyx gaze of his Shadow.

“And then I met you.” Boy felt a blush creeping over his cheeks. “And in just three days, you showed me more kindness, more attention, and more pleasure than anyone else ever has.” Thick shadows dared to ease back around Boy’s waist, and he welcomed them. “But the Queen had marked me for death, and it was only a matter of time before she discovered our lie.”

The shadows grew larger until they surrounded Boy almost completely. “I was worried I had nothing to offer you until I realised that I held the power of knowledge. While I couldn’t prevent my death, I could release you from your bond.”

The shadow geist rose up on his knees and stretched his arms forward, his larger hands encased Boy’s where he still clutched the thread. A myriad of fleeting expressions crossed his features, and Boy pressed his point further. “You say you want to keep me, but as what? As your slave? Like my father kept me just to help staff his mill?”

His Shadow’s lip curled into a sneer of disgust, his brow drew into a deep furrow, and he shook his head. When he opened his mouth to speak, Boy spoke first. “Does being your Heart mean that I lose your affection?”

His Shadow leaned forward in a move so sudden that Boy didn’t see it coming, and pressed a chaste kiss to his forehead. “No,” he whispered against his skin. “You will never lose that.”

Boy’s blush intensified and his Shadow pulled away a fraction, just enough to search Boy’s eyes. “I may be the geist, but as my Heart, you will always hold the real power.” He gently squeezed Boy’s hands. “I may be the one who wields magick, but you have bewitched me with a magick all your own.”

Another soft kiss on his forehead. “You have already saved me, my Heart.”

Boy’s eyes welled with tears at his Shadow’s declaration.

The geist shuffled closer on his knees and spoke right to Boy’s soul. “You have shown me that there is more to life than living, and I vow to always care for and protect you, whether you choose to be my Heart in return or not. Queen Schön will never harm you as long as I haunt this realm.”

“You would save me from the Queen, even if I choose not to be your Heart?” Boy’s voice broke on his words. Did his Shadow really mean it? Was he truly offering him that much power?

The geist’s eyes softened, and he brought one hand up to wipe away the wall of tears from Boy’s lashes. His shadows sizzled softly, and he nodded once. “Say my name.”

Boy’s shocked breath, mixed with his tears, came out more like a hiccup. “You would give me this power over you?”

“You already have it.” His Shadow stroked his thumb over Boy’s cheek.

The truth of those words propelled Boy into action. He fumbled in his haste, but he managed to withdraw his hand—that still held the golden thread—from under his Shadow’s larger one. When he emphatically nodded his head, more tears fell, and Boy presented the geist with his magick-infused collar.

His Shadow looked back and forth between Boy’s eyes and the golden thread while he processed the intention. Boy knew the moment realisation dawned, because those black eyes swirled with shades of grey and a small smirk tugged his Shadow’s mouth upward.

The most powerful shadow geist in Falchovari knelt before him, and when he reached to once again secure the golden thread around Boy’s neck—where it belonged—Boy whispered…

“Rumpelstilzchen.”

twenty-six

Rumpelstilzchen

His true name rolled through Rumple like an autumn breeze shaking loose the leaves from the trees. His Heart had chosen him, and instead of the savage sting of poison, he felt the shedding of his form as if he were being forged anew.

He pressed a kiss to Boy’s lips. “Say it again,” he urged.

“Rumpelstilzchen,” replied Boy, with a quiet giggle.

Rumple cradled Boy’s head in his hands, but it wasn’t close enough. He magicked his leather gloves away and relished the soft and warm skin beneath his fingers.

“Are you certain?” he couldn’t help but ask.

Boy nodded again, and a fresh round of tears rolled over those cinnamon freckles Rumple adored so much. They bubbled on contact with his skin, and the sensation heated Rumple’s core. Still, he needed to be completely clear on the matter of Boy’s consent. “You wish to be my Heart? To form that bond with me?”

“Yes, I want to be your Heart. My Shadow’s Heart.” Boy’s blush made his eyes seem more vibrant.

“A Shadow’s Heart,” Rumple mused. “How perfect.” His fingertip slid down the bridge of Boy’s nose. “Tell me, my Heart, how would you like a true name of your own? One that only we would ever know.”

Boy’s blinding smile was all the answer Rumple needed. He closed the distance between them and kissed his Heart properly. Soft and plump lips merged with his own, and into the welcoming space of his mouth he whispered, “das Herz des Schattens.”