Free The Magic Between Us (Faerie) by Tammy Falkner

seemed brighter at home, although she knew these were exactly the same as the ones she’d looked at her whole life.
    She took a deep breath. She’d gotten herself into a perfectly wretched position.
    “That kiss in Paris was beautiful,” a voice said from behind her.
    Cecelia closed her eyes and wished for Marcus to go away. She didn’t want to face him right now. “A gentleman would never discuss such things,” she scolded.
    Marcus chuckled and dropped onto the bench beside her. “It’s a good thing I’ve never been a gentleman then, isn’t it?” He sat forward with his elbows on his knees, his hands dangling between his parted thighs. “Did it mean anything to you?” he asked, not looking at her. His hair was unbound and curled around his face. He was so handsome when he was unguarded like this. Like he was at home. Perhaps this was home now?
    “I never know what to expect when I go on a mission,” Cecelia said with a shrug.
    “Stop being obtuse,” he chided. “You know I’m not referring to the mission.” He still didn’t look at her. He looked at everything else.
    “Marcus.” She sighed.
    He leaned back, put his arm behind her on the back of the bench, and then slid over so that his thigh touched hers. “How many nights have we spent beneath the stars like this?” he asked.
    “One too many, if you count tonight,” she said, her tone purposefully caustic. She tugged her shawl from beneath his thigh.
    He sat quietly for a moment. “What will it take?” he asked.
    “For what?” She knew what he was referring to. But oblivion was so much easier.
    “For you to forgive me.” He didn’t elaborate. He just looked into her eyes. His were black in the darkness of the night.
    Cecelia groaned, flinging her head back in frustration. She sat back up and said, “You’re forgiven.” If what he wanted was absolution, then maybe now he would go away.
    “I’m going to tell you something that you might not like,” he warned.
    “How will that be any different from a normal day?” she asked.
    “I am very angry at you for not accepting me.”
    Cecelia’s back straightened. “What right do you have to be angry?”
    He laughed, but it was a sound with no mirth. “None, apparently. But I’m still hurt by it.” He was suddenly, clearly serious. “I always thought it would be me and you until the end of time.”
    “Things change when time and space separate people.”
    “Things don’t change that much,” he ground out.
    Marcus didn’t know about her mother’s death. He didn’t know about her father’s problem with drinking too much. He didn’t know that her father needed her until he could heal. He didn’t know anything about her obligations. “You have no idea,” she finally said.
    His brows rose and his eyes flashed. “Beg your pardon?”
    “We were once fated for marriage. But things change. They change in irrevocable ways.” Her voice rose. But she didn’t care. “I believe you weren’t in a rush to marry me because you knew I’d always be there. That I was yours for the taking. That I would go wherever you led and do whatever you want to do. I was easy. So, you just didn’t care to try.”
    He made a noise at the back of his throat. “I can assure you that nothing with you has ever been easy. Including this.”
    She snorted. She couldn’t help it.
    “When you loved me, I threw it all away. But some day, you’ll love me again.”
    “I can’t, Marcus,” she said. “You didn’t care enough.”
    “No one will ever care more than me. Not even him.”
    “Him who?”
    “See,” he laughed. “You don’t even care enough to know his name. Yet you’ve promised to marry him?”
    “Oh, him,” she said. “I didn’t understand what you were saying.”
    “Who is he?” Marcus tensed, his back straight.
    “He’s no one.” She heaved a sigh.
    “He’s someone if you’ve promised your life to him,” Marcus mumbled.
    “Oh, good Lord,” Cecelia said, getting to her