~ ROSELLE ~

My mind has been a whirlwind ever since Ravenna left. I can’t sit still, I can’t focus, and I can’t do a fucking thing.

All I can think about are her words and the terrifying implications of the curse. They keep replaying in my head, over and over again, refusing to let me breathe.

I’m scared. So fucking scared. What if Ronan goes through with our marriage, only for the curse to claim him anyway? What if everything he’s sacrificed still isn’t enough?

What if he dies? The thought alone squeezes the air from my lungs until I can barely breathe.

I’d lose him, and I’d be left with nothing. The world would become empty again, hollow in a way I never thought possible.

I can’t lose him. I just... can’t.

Just when I’d finally found peace again, it all came crashing down. I thought I had left the worst behind me, but I was wrong.

The nightmares had stopped, and I was finally sleeping through the night. For the first time, my dreams weren’t haunted by blood, screams, or the monsters from my past.

I was healing, and I was beginning to feel whole again.

Now the fear has returned. It’s the same suffocating fear I felt the day Ronan told me about the curse. What do they say about fear again? It’s the deadliest prison of them all. And somehow, I’ve found myself locked inside it once more.

I stare at the page of the book, trying to force myself to write, but no words come.

The soft creak of the door immediately pulls my attention away. His familiar cologne reaches me even before I turn around.

I quickly school my expression, forcing a smile onto my face as he walks in. He shrugs off his coat and hangs it on the hook by the back door before turning to me.

"Hey, Cupcake."

His grey eyes meet mine as he closes the distance between us. He gently pulls me away from my chair and into his arms.

My stomach flutters wildly, and my heart races as he peppers soft kisses across my hand before tilting my chin up and brushing another against it.

"I’ve missed you, my Rose," he murmurs, his forehead resting briefly against mine. "I’ve been looking forward to coming home to this."

Then his lips find mine. The kiss starts slow and tender, but it doesn’t stay that way for long. A low, hungry sound rumbles from his chest as he deepens it, tilting my head back and claiming my mouth with a possessiveness that makes my knees weak. His tongue sweeps in, tasting, devouring, like he’s been starving for me all day.

Before I can catch my breath, he lifts me effortlessly, strong hands gripping my waist as he sets me down on the edge of my work table. Papers and notebooks scatter across the surface, but neither of us cares. He steps between my thighs, pressing his hard body flush against mine, one hand sliding up to cradle the back of my neck while the other grips my hip, holding me exactly where he wants me.

"Fuck, I’ve missed this," he growls against my lips, barely pulling back enough to speak. "Missed you."

He kisses me again, deeper, hotter, more demanding. His mouth moves with fierce intent, sucking on my lower lip, then soothing it with his tongue. When I gasp, he takes full advantage, kissing me like he’s trying to erase every worry from my mind. His hand slides up my thigh, bunching the fabric of my dress as he presses closer, letting me feel exactly how much he wants me.

I moan softly into his mouth, fingers threading through his hair and tugging. He responds with a pleased groan, the sound vibrating through me.

He breaks the kiss only to trail his lips along my jaw and down my neck, sucking and biting gently at the sensitive skin until I’m trembling in his arms.

She suddenly pulls back, pressing her hands gently but firmly against his chest.

"We need to talk," I whisper, my voice shaky.

He tries to chase my lips again, leaning in with that hungry, addictive intensity, but I turn my head slightly and hold him off. My palms stay flat on his chest, feeling the rapid thud of his heart.

For a moment he looks confused, still dazed from the kiss. Then his brows knits together as his grey eyes studies my face. He must see the seriousness there because his expression suddenly changed from desire to concern in an instant.

"Are you okay?" he asks, voice low and gentle.

His hands slide down to rest on my waist, thumbs stroking soothing circles. "Cupcake, what’s going on?"

I nod slowly, trying to find the right words. My throat feels tight.

"I’m fine... but I don’t want to continue with the wedding."

The words fall heavily between us. He stills completely, staring at me like I’ve just slapped him. The color drains from his face for a second before he blinks, clearly stunned.

"What?" His voice stutters slightly. He searches my eyes, trying to understand. "Are you getting nervous? Scared? I get it, a lot of people get wedding jitters. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, but we can take it slower if you need. We don’t have to rush anything—"

"That’s not it," I cut him off softly, my hands still resting on his chest.

He falls silent, brows furrowed in confusion and worry. His grip on my waist tightens just a fraction, like he’s afraid I might slip away.

"Then what’s wrong, my Rose?" he asks, voice hoarse. "Talk to me. Please."

His eyes narrow at me, giving me that look that says, No lies. Remember?

I’m sorry... I have to do this.

As selfishly as I want to keep him for myself, I can’t risk it. He deserves everything good this world has to offer.

I fight back the tears threatening to spill, ignoring the voice in the back of my mind screaming at me not to do this.

My breaths come out heavy through my nose as I struggle to steady myself.

"I don’t want to do this... I..."

I bite my lip, already knowing I’m going to hate myself for what I’m about to say.

"You say you love me, but don’t you think it’s selfish? You know that marrying me could mean the curse could kill me... and yet you’re still willing to go through with it."

"I..."

"Spare me the theatrics, Ronan."

His mouth falls open, his brows drawing together in confusion as he stares at me, looking as though this is the last thing he ever expected to hear.