Word Count: 1676

~Millicent

Thankfully Sinful and I's conversation ended as quickly as it started.

Everyone disperses from my room into my foyer. Lucy is standing quietly in the corner of my room by the fire, which is a mild concern, but the immortals lingering in my space is a more present issue. Kyser's comfortability with being here is putting my mind at ease. He would know if there was any possibility for the Moon to know we are all here, since he's in charge of deceiving him. Right?

"Here's an idea..." Kyser says, clapping his hands together. We all collectively flinch at the sound. Everyone seems to be plagued by their own thoughts about what is to come, not matching Kyser's cheerfulness. "Why don't we all have dinner together."

"Kyser, I think we have risked enough for one day," I say softly, looking around for support. Sinful nods grimly, although his apprehension to leave just yet is imminent.

"I'm going back to my quarters. Let me know when you want to have an actual conversation about the future instead of being insane," Micah mutters, looking at me pointedly, as if to check that I'm okay. I nod at him. After all he's heard, I don't expect him to want to stick around. Especially not with his brother around.

Kyser casts us a glance. "Don't worry, I'll convince him."

The silence in the room is heavy. Lucy doesn't move, while Sinful shifts from foot to foot uncomfortably. I'm unsure if I want to talk to Sinful yet. What would we talk about? Our once private agreement to help each other is now involved by multiple people.

"I suppose this is goodbye," I say, smiling tightly at Sinful. Behind me, Lucy looks down at the floor. I'm hoping I get to talk to her soon about this lover of hers trapped in the prisons.

"You're crazy if you think I'm going just yet," Sinful says, raising his eyebrow. That taunting attitude never leaves him, does it? To him, this is still a game, to set me free and then what? "I thought we could have a chat."

"You're helping me get away from this, and that's all. It does not constitute a relationship," I tell him assuredly. The last thing I need is a relationship with Sinful to get in the way of my plan. Yes, I need him, but once I am out of here, feelings for him could be dangerous...they could get me in trouble with immortals who have spent a long time waiting for my freedom.

He glances toward Lucy. "Shall we talk in private?"

"I think here is just fine," I tell him promptly.

"Okay," he drawls, a boyish smile gracing his face that only suggests trouble. I wonder if an immortal could ever grow out of bad habits, since they don't grow at all. "I just thought we could discuss your perfectly intact virginity in more detail, and perhaps how your mate is going to take it."

Gritting my teeth, I point to my bedroom door, which he very willfully strides through, but not without casting me a wink first. Following him inside, I firmly close the door behind us. It's not enough to keep the Moon out, if Kyser has dropped the façade, and he has full access to my life again, he can see all the unauthorized dealings we are doing behind his back.

"Is there a moment when you're not a totally arrogant...never mind," I breathe, raking my hands back through my hair as a visible show of my frustration.

Sinful smiles playfully at me as I brush past him.

"I do all this just to see that flush of colour on your cheeks," he tells me, rocking back and forth on his feet. "It's very becoming of you."

"If you're trying to be a gentleman, you're failing miserably," I tell him, moving to stand near the dresser where Kyser had been not even a few minutes ago. Sinful flops back down on my bed, lazing his way across it like he owns it. The way he looks at me suggests he wants me to join him. "And don't get comfortable. You were just leaving."

He frowns at me, as if what I'm saying is absurd. "I'm not planning on leaving any time soon."

"It's getting late Sinful," I tell him, perching my hands on my hips. He kicks his shoes off, pulling the sheets up so he can clamber in underneath him. His ability to make himself at home in any place is unique to him. "You're not staying the night."

"Come join me and let's talk. How many few hundred years do we have to catch up on," he asks, beckoning to join me before he slides his hands under his head. The bottom of his shirt comes up slightly, showing the slightest sliver of skin from his abdomen. The sight admittedly has my throat going dry, which I try my best to ignore.

Despite the rational side of my brains protests, I climb onto the bed, sitting on top of the covers. "Well you're kind of sitting in my entire life."

"We have a lot in common. Maybe I've had a lot of freedom to do what I like, but none of it I actually had any interest in," he tells me. I can feel his gaze on me, as he shifts into a more comfortable position. His hip bumps mine, making me flinch.

I shouldn't be feeling like this.

"Liar. I would do anything for your lifestyle," I tell him, resting my hands over my stomach.

"I've been waiting a long time for you. I can assure you, everything I have ever done is to ensure I bring you home, to me," he tells me, his voice falling into a tone of seriousness that is so sudden it unnerves me. I risk a glance at him, to see he's no longer watching me, but staring at the ceiling blankly. I join him in doing so.

I think about all that I've done for myself to get me out of this situation. "Don't you think I can do anything for myself?"

"Millicent, you are the strongest girl to ever exist. Everything you do I'm in awe of. What I'm doing doesn't even compare to all that you've done already. I'm just tagging along. You're the star of the show," Sinful tells me, to which elicits a slight smile on my face.

"Now I'm convinced you're really trying to get at this virginity," I say, nudging his ribcage with my elbow. I'm only half joking. At this point, I'm unsure of Sinful's motives. He appears innocent with reasons to get me away from the Moon as only because we are mates. However, I know better to believe a scheming mortal, but I will keep my reservations close to my chest.

I can hear the smile in Sinful's voice. "Don't excite me Millicent."

"I'm surprised the idea of sex even excites you anymore," I say, turning my head to face his. He looks at me, that suggestive smirk, but I ignore it and the flutter it sends to the pit of my stomach. I wonder if he has this effect on every girl. Such poisonous thoughts. "If I were Lust, I would think it would become tedious."

Sinful rolls on his side suddenly, propping his head up on his hand. This is the closest we have been since I last saw him, and I'm not as anxious as I thought I would be. Yes, my heart races slightly more than usual, and the way he looks at me makes me feel as though he is planning each and every way he wants to devour me, but I'm not nervous.

I feel...comfortable.

"I don't use my abilities to seduce women into bed. Maybe I did when I was young, sad and upset at myself for not having you," he admits, reaching out to touch my arm with the tips of his fingers. The touch makes me shiver. "Now you're the only one who could ever...do that for me."

"And I'm meant to believe you, am I?" I say softly, my voice hushed, even though I feel completely encapsulated by what is between us.

"If there's anything one thing to take my word on, it's this, Millicent," he tells me, brushing a piece of hair back behind my ear. I've never had anyone in my long life look at me the way he is. For a moment, I believe every word pouring out of his mouth. "I'm in love with you. And no matter how much you fight it, I'm always going to be here to show you why it's worth it."

I've spent a lot of time resenting Sinful out of fear. I always feared I could never be his mate, or never live up to the decedent life he surely expects. But in this moment, I do feel loved. He is telling the truth on how he feels for me.

And I won't lie to myself. I love him too.

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If you're liking the story, head over to Radish, where this book is ten chapters ahead (:

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~Midika 💜🐼