Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
He hoped so. He had given up death and committed to this role in perpetuity for both women. He sent off the text.
“Hey, are you okay?” MF said. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I am…fine.” Damien swallowed a lump in his throat and went into the store. MF had done a nice job balancing his traditional menswear with the women’s garments. She had even put up a display in the window with male and female mannequins posed as if they were waltzing in formal outfits.
“Oh, a letter came for you yesterday,” MF called out from the workshop. “I didn’t want to open it, so I put it under the register.”
Damien went to open the envelope. Inside was a photo of him with a knife, stabbing Boris in the neck. No note attached.
He drew a sharp breath and released it. The Russian mob was either coming for him, or someone was preparing to blackmail him. “Just what I need.”
The door chimed, and in walked a woman with straight black hair and a pair of pouty lips.
“May I help you?” he said drably.
She stared for a long moment. “Cimil said I could find you here.”
His breath stuck in his lungs. Could it be? His heart pounded wildly in his chest.
“Willa?” It did not look like her, but who else could it be? He walked over to her, trying to breathe right. “Is it really you?”
“There are so many things I want to say.” She dove in with a hug, wrapping her arms around his torso. “I’m so sorry. Cimil told me about the curse and…” Her voice trailed off.
“It is all right.” He held her, stroking her long soft hair, unsure of what else to do. Be angry? Forgive her? Beg for forgiveness for not coming to her aid sooner? Weep for the dead child he never knew? It was too much for a man like him, one who’d denied his emotions for over two centuries, to unravel.
“I love you. I love you so much,” she cried, burying her face in his chest. “I’ll never leave you again. No matter what.”
The front door chimed, and in walked a blonde with bright green eyes. She had the brightest smile he’d ever seen. Until she looked at him and Willa.
“Oh, um… I’ll come back another time.”
Suddenly, the scent of vanilla hit his nose. Damien dropped his arms and stepped back from Willa. “Sky?”
The blonde turned and ran from the store.
What the hell was she doing here?
He ran after her, catching up on the bustling sidewalk filled with pedestrians, mostly people on the way to work.
“Sky!” He grabbed her arm to stop her.
She turned, whisking away a big sloppy tear. “I’m sorry. I should’ve called first.”
“What are you doing here?” He’d told her never to come back, but now that she was here, he realized how much he’d missed her.
He stared into her emerald-colored eyes, mesmerized by the lively sparkle. She looked entirely different now, of course. A size six, honey blonde hair down to her shoulders, and a cleft chin. There wasn’t one physical feature he recognized, but he’d recognize her spirit anywhere. And she was still just as stunning.
“I, uh…” She looked away. “I don’t know how to say this.” She drew a breath and exhaled hard, meeting his gaze. “I wasn’t fully honest with you.”
“About?”
“My deal with Cimil. I had to promise to be your partner.”
He pulled her aside, out of the way of foot traffic, and lowered his voice. “What do you mean partner?”
“I’m supposed to help you, be your backup.”
“No. I will not allow it,” he growled. “My brother—”
“I don’t have a choice, Damien,” Sky said firmly. “And I know you don’t want me here now that she’s back, but—”
“That is not true. I do want you here.” He wanted her more than ever now. Her absence had left a strange hole in his life.
“Damien?” Willa came up behind him. “What is going on?”
Ah, this is good! The beast burst out laughing. You’re going to break the witch’s heart again, aren’t you, tailor? Good luck with that.
“Shut up.”
“Shut up?” Willa said.
“Not you.” He locked eyes with her. “Willa, this is Sky. I guess you two haven’t met, which surprises me, but Sky will be working with me on official Cimil business.”
Willa frowned. “But Cimil said that would be my role. She made me swear as part of the deal.”
Damien tilted his head toward the sky and groaned. These fucking gods.
You’re screwed, tailor. Enjoy immortality.
TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT EPISODE!