Moon Cursed (Book 2 in The Star and Her Moon Series)

Enough

RAFF

 Raff crouched at the edge of the forest and waited for Meribella to emerge from the sea. Valencia's boat made getting to and from the Temple Island easy, and once he hid it in a cove near the Harpy Clan, he shifted and raced through the trees. He needed to see for himself that she was healthy and whole when she returned.

Caspian's recent actions had done much to improve Raff's trust. Not to mention, the man was clearly in love with Addien. Raff was whipped enough to recognize it in another person, but where Meribella was concerned, he couldn't be too careful. And, while he didn't blame her for the events that had happened on the island, he had to be honest- he didn't fully trust her. How could he when her body had been poisoned for weeks with a substance specifically designed to make her lust after Caspian?

His ears twitched at the thought of what could've occurred if Caspian had pressed the advantage. He still wanted to punch the man in the face for daring to put his hands on a woman without her consent, no matter that the selkie's self-loathing had been obvious when telling Raff the truth.

Good intentions or not, there had to have been better options than drugging Meribella to keep her safe. Memories of las night flooded his mind. She'd been so hesitant at first. Not in her desire for him, but in her willingness to be touched. The first time she flinched, Raff had pulled away only for her to throw herself into his arms, her face shimmering with tears.

It wasn't until that moment that he realized how much anger was warping his heart. Anger he had misdirected towards her. He'd heard the shame in her voice when she accused Caspian of raping her. The moment he understood she blamed herself for what happened, his tears mingled with hers as they held one another in the Temple.

"I love you," he said, putting both hands around her face and pressing his forehead against hers.

"I love you too, and I'm sorry."

"For what?"

He knew what is was for, and earlier that evening, he'd intended to collect on an apology. But now... he would not let her sully herself with culpability. It didn't matter what her body had wanted, her heart had not been willing. She was a victim.

"I know now that he didn't... we didn't... And for some of those days, I couldn't remember why it bothered me so to think we had. I forgot you, Raff. Forgot everything."

Raff wiped a tear from the corner of her eye with his thumb before sliding the digit down the glittering path on her cheek. He rubbed it across her mouth, tugging on her lower lip, before going to her chin and pressing up so she had to look him in the eye. Gods, how he had missed those turquoise eyes.

"You never forgot me, not really. If you had, you would've never questioned it, and before all that happened, we were connected."

"Our thoughts," she said, her eyes widening. "I forgot that too."

"I could feel you even when I couldn't hear you. I've never heard of such a thing, but I clung to it. And no matter how hard things get between us... wipe that dirty smirk off your face missy."

"Sorry," she giggled, her hands turning adventurous. His refusal to blame her had lifted a weight from her shoulders, and it was clear in the curves of her face as she tried to close the gap to kiss him.

He pulled back, knowing once they started touching one another, there would be no more talking. And there were things that needed to be said. "No you're not you little minx. I want you to know, from now until our last day, I won't be separated from you again. Even if it means we can't touch one another, I will satisfy my desire for you with my eyes and ears. As long as you're near me, it'll be enough."