CHAPTER 7

I hurried down the corridor, my hands shaking, leaving Darius and his frustrating contradictions in my wake. My pride and my heart were at war, and every stride felt like a rebellion against the storm that was building inside of me.

Despite my body screaming for me to turn around, I didn't. He could draw me into his orbit, tearing down the barriers I had up for years and then retreating, leaving me standing in the debris.

“Damn you Darius,” I muttered to myself.

"Are you speaking to yourself now?" As Lila emerged from a side hall with a sly smile, her voice cut through my thoughts. "I'm going to guess Darius?"

My scowl only made her smile more broadly. "Lila, what do you want?"

Her arms were crossed as she rested against the wall. “You appear to be about to hit someone or yell at them. He did that thing again when he pouted, gave you a pointless kiss, and then pushed you away as if you were the issue.”

The only confirmation she needed was my silence.

“You’re predictable, both of you,” She teased. “It's like watching two magnets that are constantly drawn to one another but don't stick together is like that."

With a groan, I put a palm to my temple. "Lila, I have no time for this."

She laughs. “You're saying you don't have time for me right? Maya, don't worry. Each of us has a cross to carry. It so happens that yours is a walking behemoth with godlike cheekbones about six feet tall.”

Despite myself, I laughed dryly. "You are impossible."

She nudged my arm in response and said "And you're hopeless. But seriously, what's preventing you from telling him your feelings? Or, better still, making him acknowledge his emotions? Even a tiny push may make a big difference.”

I pondered her on her words as I walked back to my lodgings. Could it be that easy? Should I press him to give in?

As soon as I entered, the room's seclusion soothed my jangled nerves. But, the recollection of his lips on mine and the unadulterated passion in his eyes tormented me despite my best efforts to concentrate on anything else.

I strolled out onto the balcony into the crisp night air, thinking the cool breeze would help me chill down. The stars mocked the turmoil inside me, strewn across the sky like a million secrets.

“I thought I told you to stay away from me.”

My spine tingled at the deep, familiar voice. Darius stood there as I turned abruptly, his silhouette angular against the moonlight.

“You are the one who consistently shows up where I am," I retorted, crossing my arms. "Darius, what do you want?"

He took a while to respond. Instead, he moved closer, his eyes piercing mine with such intensity that I gasped.

His voice was hoarse and low as he acknowledged, "You make it impossible to stay away."

I challenged him, moving in his direction, "Then stop fighting it." "Because, Darius, I'm sick of this game. You can either want me, or you don't. But you can't keep pushing me away one minute and then kissing me the next.”

He tensed his jaw, and I feared he might pull away again. I was astounded by the tenderness with which his hands cupped my face as he closed the distance between us in a single, smooth motion.

"Maya, you have no idea what you're asking for," he murmured in a tight whisper.

With both hands gripping the front of his shirt, I whispered back, "Then show me."

There was no holding back this time when his lips slammed into mine. As if he were putting all his unsaid words into me, his kiss was claiming, furious, and relentless.

My fingers tangled in his hair as his hands slid to my waist, drawing me flush against him, and I melted against him. The heat was electric between us, like a spark igniting a wildfire that ate everything in its path.

He pushed me back against the wall and ran his lips down my neck while his hands searched, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. As I gave in to the fury he delivered, I breathed in quick gasps and felt my pulse thumping in my chest.

With a voice full of possession, he hissed against my skin, "You're mine."

I pressed my hands to his shoulders and murmured, "Then stop running from me."

I felt my spine tingle when he responded with a deep, guttural sound. Though his strength was a clear reminder of his might, he lifted me with ease and did it all for me at this moment.

He froze, though, just before the situation was about to get out of control completely.

With a shaky voice, he said, "Maya, this... I..."

"Don't you dare pull away again," I said shaky.

His eyes locked with mine, a whirlpool of struggle and want. "This goes beyond simply us. You are unaware of certain things; I cannot shield you from them if we cross this boundary.”

I said firmly, despite the pain in my chest, "Stop making decisions for me, Darius. Please let me know if there is anything you're afraid about. Please don't use it as a reason to ignore me.”

He breathed a shudder and pressed his forehead to mine. "Maya, I've lost too much already. If I lose you...

Holding his face, I vowed, "You won't. But you must let me in."

For a second. It seemed like might, his hold on me became more firm as his lips brushed mine in a gentle, almost frantic kiss.

But then, the moment was broken by a harsh knock at the door.

“Darius." A voice on the other end cried out. It was Lysander.

Darius swore under his breath, his grip on me releasing as he stepped back.

With regret and promise, he declared, "This isn't over."

His shoulders were stiff as he faced Lysander as I watched him open the door. The two looked at each other, exchanging silent words, and then Lysander's eyes shifted to me.

As I crossed my arms, I mumbled, "You have a knack for bad timing."

Lysander gave a sly smile. "And you're good at spotting trouble."

I was again left alone as Darius gave him a warning glance and left.

I leaned against the wall as the door shut behind him, my thoughts racing. Whatever Darius was concealing was large enough to frighten him.

And I was desperate to find out what it was because this game was about more than just us now.