Bittersweet (Faerie Song Trilogy, #2)
Release Date: 03/24/15
Goodreads Summary:
To save the Faery world and her mother’s life, Lorelei sacrificed
everything, and the dangerous bargain she made in Nevermore had lasting
repercussions. Now safely back in her own world, Lorelei seems the same to her
highschool friends and her supernatural boyfriend. Yet love across dimensions
is complicated, especially when an invisible Veil between the two worlds—the
only bridge that links the pair, is sealing, threatening to separate Lorelei
and Adrius forever.
Determined to find a solution, Lorelei resorts to using her new found
powers. But when her friends succumb to the same mysterious illness that nearly
took her mother’s life, Lorelei can’t help but wonder if her own dark magic is
responsible. Still, the nightmares from Nevermore continue their icy hold.
Someone from Adrius’s past arrives, determined to destroy Lorelei’s world
starting with those closest to her, and Lorelei is forced to choose between her
family and friends and a love that was ill-fated from the start.
“Stay. Just…. Stay.” The
second I said it I felt awful. What was I asking? I knew he couldn’t stay, that
he needed to return to his world to stay alive in mind.
Since the night of the dance we’d carefully stayed away from
discussing our little predicament. We were still at a standoff. He couldn’t
live in my world without magical aids to keep him alive, because of the toxic
nature of our polluted air, and I couldn’t go back to his world, because of a
bunch of angry beings trying to kill me. That left us here. He would have to
return to his world and refuel, to come back to mine. How long the potions
lasted depended upon how much stress he was under. Physical exertion, extreme
emotions all used up the reserve more quickly. Then there was the issue of his
still being tied to Venus, the daughter of the ice witch I killed. A curse had
caused his forced fealty to her. Killing the witch was not only supposed to
save Mythlandria from her destructive wrath, it was also supposed to free
Adrius of the curse that bound him to the ice witch’s commands. Who knew there
was a daughter who would take over the bonds, and that she was also his
ex-girlfriend.
Now she wants me dead in
payment for killing her mother, and as a bonus, I’d be out of the way so she could
get Adrius back in her life. That he could come here at all means the curse is
weakening. I want his freedom, but at which price? Was I willing to kill for
it? I’d have to end her life as well if I was going to destroy the bonds. And I
wasn’t a killer. Even Octăhvia’s death was more of an accident than intended. I
had no idea what awakening the magic would do, or how to wield it. This
arrangement seemed like our only option, for now. And while I hated to see him
leave, there was something comforting in being able to pretend that my life was
normal again. As normal as it ever was. I could enjoy being back home with
friends and back at school which surprisingly enough, I’d missed. It’s amazing
how coming to the edge of your life multiple times will make even the most
mundane routines a welcomed change.
“Think about what you’re
asking me,” he said. “You know why I have to leave.”
He watched me suck in a
breath of regret, as I wished I could take back my self-serving plea.
Pain creased his eyes.
“Sleep soundly, Lorelei,” was all he said. He kissed the top of my head and
turned to go.
The tense set of his jaw
revealed the effort it took to leave. I watched him walk away, biting down on
my lower lip until he reached the driveway.
“How am I supposed to sleep?”
My voice was almost too quiet to be heard over the howling wind. But his
hearing surpassed most mortal’s.
“Warm milk with honey works
well,” he answered my whisper, his back still facing me. “It helps with the
night terrors too,” he added.
“You know that’s not what I
meant.” I moved closer, descending one step at a time until my bare feet hit
the cold of the pavement.
Adrius froze. Electric
pulses crackled between us.
“I was talking about
sleeping without you. Here.”
“You’ve managed to do it
before,” he said cautiously, the strain of his resolve vibrating in his voice.
“I know. But—“
This was wrong. It was
selfish. How could I ask him to stay, when I know that leaving is what would
keep him alive to return to me?
“I’m sorry. I’m being silly.
It’s just I can’t—“
With whipcrack intensity,
his resolve burned away and he rushed toward me and pulled me into his arms.
His touch burned though my shirt as his hands splayed against my back, pressing
us closer. He kissed me, hungrily at first, then it quickly deepened to
ravenous. Matching his fervor, I tangled my fingers in his hair. Every inch of
me was on fire. He gasped, his lips slowing against mine. By the time we
separated, we were both breathless. He leaned his forehead against mine for a
few rapid heartbeats, then pulled back. Our eyes remained locked in a
palpitating stretch of silence that spoke volumes. My head swirled, and all I
wanted was more of where we’d left off.
But he read my intentions. The corners of his lips quirked and he
shook his head. Warm hands slid down my arms with one last caress, before he
disappeared. Gone so quickly I didn’t actually see him leave. Swallowed by the
darkness of the night and the forest that held the secret doorway into
Mythlandria.
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