Blood Stained

A/N: Thank you so much for voting Blood Stained 2nd Best Drama at the Dokuga Awards. Thank you.

Also, for those wondering, my two weeks in France were absolutely amazing. Best trip ever - and that does not describe it accurately enough.

Blood Stained

Chapter 88: Head to Head

A loud scream pulled Kagome from her deep sleep while the rising sun was still making its ascent into the sky. A warm feeling surrounded her and she found herself leaning into it. She nuzzled her face against the soft skin while the arms around her waist tightened just a little more. The cries increased and she tried to pull herself away to get up as a frown appeared on her face.

Unfortunately for her, she met resistance and was unable to free herself. Suddenly, a kiss was pressed on her forehead and the arms released her. "I will take care of it."

Sesshomaru.

The previous night's events flooded her mind quickly. They managed to finish their little activity even though her mother almost caught them. He meant to leave right after, which was the safest thing to do, but she remembered asking him to lay with her. Then, they apparently fell asleep or at least she did.

Sesshomaru was wearing nothing but his boxers as he sat up and approached the crib. Gently, he picked up his son and began to rock him in his arms. He missed this. Frankly, he should have left last night because this only made it harder for him. How was he supposed to go back to his empty hotel room now?

Actually, he tried to leave. Unfortunately, even in her sleep, she refused to let him go. The moment he moved, she grabbed his hand and held on. He could have easily freed himself from her hold but he chose not to. It felt like forever ago since he last fell asleep with her in his arms.

Kagome sat up in the bed and Sesshomaru's shirt lifted up to her upper thigh. She observed the scene in front of her with a smile on her face.

Last night was the first time she witnessed Sesshomaru let his control slip. In a good way of course. She did not know if it was because he listened to her and shared what he wanted or because he held back so much that he reached his limit. Even this morning, he seemed more at ease and relaxed than usual.

Obviously, they still had ways to go but she felt like finally, they had progressed.

"Your mother seems quite upset."

It was mostly the reason why he did not sleep. Miyu was restless the whole night and even now, she was not pleased. Did she know he was here?

"Do you think-"

"I am not sure."

Kagome did not even know how she would explain this situation to her mother. Regardless of her past with Sesshomaru, what they did showed a lack of respect. This was her mother's home and there were rules to follow.

"I should leave," he said with a hint of sadness in his voice. If her mother had not found out about him spending the night yet, he would not risk it. Leaving now was safer even though the simple thought of leaving Kagome and Kiyoshi behind crushed his heart.

Kagome nodded and sighed; he was right.

Sesshomaru put Kiyoshi back in his crib; the little boy was a little feisty even now. He tried to soothe his son with his aura but it did not do much. He turned around to look at Kagome and then bent down to press a kiss on her lips. Immediately, Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the embrace.

It turned out to be a mistake.

The room still smelled like sex. Her hair was tousled. Her skin was soft. He wanted her. Sesshomaru found himself nibbling on her bottom lip, grazing his fangs against the inside of it. Her tongue poked out and invaded his mouth. Before he realized what he was doing, he laid her down on her bed with his large body covering hers.

He dug his fingers in the smooth creamy skin of her thighs, his claws gently poking at her flesh. The closer his hands got to her womanhood, the more her arousal grew. So wet.

It was not until she moaned when his left hand rose to glide across her breast that he snapped out of it.

She was appetizing and tempting. Last night, it took every ounce of will power he possessed to cum outside of her. Her moans, her begging, the way she whispered his name; all of it was overwhelming. They were extremely wrapped up in their little world and he was certain that at that moment she would have welcomed his seed inside of her.

It made it much harder.

"I should leave," he repeated, his breath nothing but a tickle against her heated skin.

"Yeah," she breathed out while her chest heaved each time she inhaled.

A blush crept up on her cheeks and she was barely able to hold his gaze. She felt like they were two teenagers sneaking around who were not able to keep their hands off of each other.

He briefly brushed his lips against hers before releasing his hold on her waist. He would like to use the front door but it was too risky. It left him with the window. Although, this time it was a bit more awkward since it was the morning and people were out and about.

Sesshomaru looked at his family one more time before speeding out of Kagome's bedroom in his underwear, leaving behind nothing more than a gush of wind.

Kagome rose to her feet and leaned against Kiyoshi's crib. His cheeks were stained with his tears but he was no longer looking for attention. She stretched out her hand and softly brushed his cheek. She felt selfish. She missed his presence, she called him over and then he was forced to leave. Moving in with him would fix everything but –

But…

-B-

"Sesshomaru didn't stay over for breakfast?"

At her mother's words, Kagome froze on the stairs. She tightened her grip on Kiyoshi and swallowed hard. A million lies, a million explanations ran through her mind but none of them made it to her mouth. There was nothing to say, nothing to lie about.

Lying would probably make it worse actually.

"I'm sorry," was all Kagome could say as she finished the last few steps.

Miyu tapped her fingers against the counter, her chest heavy. She was glad Kagome did not try to lie or cover it up but it did not make it all better. Kagome could choose to be with Sesshomaru if she wanted; it was her life. No, Miyu was not comfortable with her choice but it was not her call.

"I do understand that the situation between you two is complicated and,"

"I'm sorry we were disrespectful. It won't happen again – we didn't plan…" She did not try to stop it or anything but… well now that she was face to face with her mother she felt extremely guilty.

"A warning would also be nice."

Walking in on the scene was unpleasant to say the less. Especially since she went there because she was concerned for Kagome and Kiyoshi. She quickly learned nobody was injured.

"It wasn't like that. We – I was upset – his mother – she's horrible."

She might have appreciate it better if Mizuki was straight forward and told Kagome just how much she disliked her. Instead, she was sneaky and rude while remaining polite. Regardless, Kagome could not care less if Mizuki thought Sesshomaru and she should not be together. Nobody was going to tell them how to live their lives.

"She's -"

"Nasty," Kagome finished.

Miyu offered her daughter a smile. "Are you hungry?"

Kagome nodded and sat down at the table. She let out a small breath of relief. She knew her mother was not pleased with what happened but at least there was not any awkward tension. However, Kagome would make sure that nothing like that happened in the shrine again.

Thinking about last night made her blush. It turned out to be more intense than what she was used to. Despite the mind blowing effect of their activities she did not forget what he said before they indulged in the pleasures of the flesh. His beast did not like her. The one who forced them together truly did not want her anymore.

As twisted and sick as it sounded, it bothered her. The beast was eventually going to be a part of Sesshomaru and the more he disliked her, the harder it made the merging. Before she could not get it to give her a break and now she could not get it to like her? How were they going to fix that situation?

Kagome was snapped out of her thoughts when her mother dropped a plate in front of her. Still smiling, she sat beside her daughter. "Kagome?"

She turned her head to give her mother all of her attention.

Miyu sighed, unsure how to approach the subject. "Where is all of this going? You and Sesshomaru?"

Her dislike of Sesshomaru was no secret but most of all, Miyu did not want her daughter caught in the unknown. This style of life was fine as long as they had a goal set for the end.

"I – I don't know. I do want to be with him, I just. There's so much left to deal with."

"And you don't think you can handle what's to come?"

"No, I think I can." If she could make it through everything that happened in her life so far, then she could live through anything.

"Then why the hesitation?"

"What if it doesn't work out? What if – Sesshomaru is not Sesshomaru when he's whole? What if – he's not being himself because he's scared of hurting me? I don't want him spending his whole life holding back."

"Did you tell him?"

"Over and over again." She just was not sure that he actually listened to her.

"Maybe he needs time. If you're really important to him, then obviously he's going to be scared of losing you. You two share…" she paused, "a difficult past."

That was one way to put it.

"I know. It's just… every time we seem to catch a break, something happens."

Hopefully his mother would not be adding to the mess. Kagome would be thrilled if they never saw her again.

"If it's meant to be, it'll work out."

Miyu really wanted to give her daughter better advice but as long as she felt the way she did towards Sesshomaru, it would be hard to do so. She truly hoped that one day she would see him the same way her daughter did.

She stretched out her arm and ran her finger through her daughter's bangs. "It'll be alright, I promise."

Kagome gave her a faint nod and leaned her head down to kiss her son. He was another person to consider in all of this. His needs came before hers. It became harder to ignore the fact that her son was missing his father. Sesshomaru seemed to be the only one to be able to fully calm him down. Perhaps it was selfish to keep him with her all the time…

Maybe she could let Sesshomaru have him for a few days?

That thought made her chest compress with agony. She was never far from her son. Especially not throughout the night. She did not even think she would be able to handle being away from him. It only left her with one possibility; stay over at Sesshomaru's hotel every now and then. Unfortunately, even that solution made her feel guilty.

She got to be with her son all the time and Sesshomaru did not.

Why was this so difficult? Why did she not see this coming?

Actually, she did. She simply did not think it would hurt this much.

Suddenly, Kagome felt tiny fingers grabbing her nose. Kiyoshi was looking up at her as if he could sense her sadness. She almost forgot how sensitive to her feelings he was.

"It'll be alright," she promised. "Mommy's gonna figure it out."

She reached out for his little hand and pressed her warm lips to it. Even when she was living in the past, in hell, she always thought about how he would come first. That would never change.

Kagome also needed to realize this was not a decision she could make alone. It involved Sesshomaru too. For so long, he let her make all the decisions to make her feel more comfortable.. His opinion mattered.

They both needed to work on that.

-B-

"I am not opening the door."

"Would you rather I break it down? I will you know."

Sesshomaru let out a sigh before pinching the bridge of his nose. His mother decided to annoy the hell out of him today. She even let her youki out as if to make sure he would sense her as she stood on the other side of the door. As if he could ignore her annoying presence.

Without any other options coming to mind, he opened the door. He did not invite her in. Instead, he left it open and walked back to the bed.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" he questioned irritably.

"Can't a mother simply visit her son?"

"A normal mother, yes. Not you."

He never saw much of his mother. He was raised by nannies and once he was old enough, his father oversaw his education – or rather his training. His mother simply remained in her castle taking care of herself, and herself only, as she had always done. Now that he was wiser and older it did not surprise him that his father sought attention elsewhere.

"I gave birth to you did I not? I believe it is enough."

Her son was too much like his father; it was almost disappointing.

"Hn."

She laughed before sitting down beside him. "I enjoyed dinner last night."

"Did you enjoy telling Kagome that she should release me from our bond?"

The smile on her lips never faded. "I underestimated her, I will give her that." She expected a small breakdown or even some doubts. Instead the girl hurried to prove her wrong. It would certainly make this whole thing rather interesting. "I do still mean what I said however."

"She makes me happy. As my mother it should be enough for you."

"If you were happy, you would not be so divided."

He frowned. "That is my own fault. I caused the dispute between my beast and I."

She smirked. "Then, you are only holding back because you do not enjoy being what you are." She faked a sigh and pressed her hand against her chest. "Here I was thinking it was because you were afraid to hurt her or even bring back bad memories."

Sesshomaru did not hesitate to close some of the distance between them as he snarled. "I do not need to be an animal to be happy."

"No, not now," she said as she reached out for his bangs. She gently brushed them away from his forehead with a kind touch. "But how long will that last? Ignoring who you are and what you want is the reason you are in this situation, Sesshomaru."

"I will fix it."

She arched an eyebrow. "Fix what?"

"My beast."

"But you do want the girl. What is there to fix?"

This was not a conversation he wanted to have with his mother. This was not information he wanted her to have. Yet, he did not have anyone else to ask.

"It does not want her anymore."

"Then you also got your father's pride and ego." She pulled her hand away and allowed it to drop on her lap. "She does not want it does she?"

"How could she?" he growled. "After everything it did to her, she never will."

"She forgave you. Do not think I forgot your previous dislike for humans. Although, you did keep that young child around."

Her words were not harsh. They were almost helpful. "What are you up to?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"You told her to let me go. Why are you trying to convince me this can be fixed?"

"I only want my son to be whole. I still strongly believe she cannot handle who you are and that if you hold back forever you will end up miserable. The two of you will not work out. However, she is the key to fixing you. We cannot toss her aside right away."

That time, his control snapped.

Before Sesshomaru was conscious of his actions, he had already slammed his mother against the nearest wall and his fingers were wrapped around her neck.

"I will never toss her aside," he barked.

Mizuki's joy only grew. "Of course. Not as long as you're mated to her. If we take care of that situation, I am not certain you will feel the same way."

His anger broke for a brief instant. "You cannot undo a mating."

"Yes you can. And she will agree to it."

"She would not."

"Think about it carefully Sesshomaru. If she thinks this bond is stronger for you, that it hurts you, she will want to save you. She will release you from the mating to lessen your pain."

He wanted to scream at his mother that Kagome would never agree but he was not sure. If his mother sugar coated it, Kagome might just go for it. She already felt guilty because she thought he was suffering.

"You will never have a chance to tell her."

"Why not? I planned on visiting my grandson."

"I strongly believe that you are no longer a welcomed guest in that house."

"I do not think you are either after what you two did last night."

His eyes widened.

"You do not believe I would simply leave after issuing her a challenge, do you?"

"Why are you doing this?"

"I only want what is best for my son. If she is, so be it. I simply do not think she can make you happy in the long run. There is too much damage, too much is broken."

"We will fix it."

"Why spend forever patching up broken things when you could start new? I am certain she will allow you to see your son. She can make her own life and you will have yours. The boy will still be your heir. Nothing stops you from loving him and giving him everything."

She took hold of his wrist and pulled his hand away from her throat. "What kind of life is this for your son? He has no home with you and he only gets to see you when it is convenient for her. He needs his father in his life, probably more than he needs his mother."

Sesshomaru grew up fine without her. He might not have turned out the same if Inutaisho did not raise him.

"She is a better person than I am."

"She is selfish."

His fingers twitched, threatening to attack her again.

"No need to be reckless," she teased. "I did warn you that holding back was not good for you."

"This is not because of her. This is because of you, Mother."

"Then do it, Sesshomaru. Prove to me she can make you happy."

She stared into his eyes, lingering for a few moments to let her words sink in. Then, Mizuki pushed him away and walked herself out of his apartment.

Her words rung in his mind but he felt no fear. Kagome already made him happy and he could not care less about his mother's opinion.

She is right.

He ignored it, he ignored her.

He had the life he never knew wanted, the one he almost lost, and the one he fought for.

He was not letting go.

-B-

Knock. Knock.

It was soft, barely audible.

For a moment, he thought it was his mother returning and he nearly growled. However, the second he smelled her and felt her, he relaxed. He rushed to the door and once he opened it, he found Kagome on the other side, her hands resting on the bar of the stroller. Kiyoshi looked asleep, tucked into his blue blanket.

"Hey," she shyly said.

He moved out of the way to allow her inside and closed the door behind her.

"Sorry to drop by uninvited."

Sesshomaru immediately reached out for her hand and intertwined their fingers. "You are always welcome."

After the frustration he felt because of his talk with his mother, her presence was most soothing. Her touch was enough to calm him and give him peace of mind.

"Is something wrong?"

She shook her head. "I just-" This was going to be a long conversation. "My mom knows." She blushed. "About last night."

"Am I correct to assume I am no longer welcomed?"

"She was upset but she didn't say anything like that. She's just – it's hard for her. That's all."

He nodded before releasing her hand. He then wasted no time in wrapping his arms around her waist and bringing her body closer.

"I am sorry for my lack of control."

"I'm the one who didn't have any." He was wary about her mother being nearby but she insisted. She did not regret what they did, simply some of the circumstances.

It did not matter; he felt like he should always know best. After all the years he had to change and grow, he should be more careful.

"But that's not why I came here. I – I don't think it's fair for you to be away from Kiyoshi."

His heart sunk at her words. Was it killing him to be away from his son? Yes. Would it hurt him more to take him away from her? Yes.

"Kagome- "

"He's your son too. You should get to spend time with him and he misses you."

"He would be more comfortable staying with you. I do believe he spent enough time in a hotel room."

"He won't notice. He'll just feel your presence."

"He should stay with you."

"Sessh-"

"It is for the best."

"But lis-"

"Kagome-"

"Damn it! I'm trying to tell you something!"

Both of them remained a bit surprised as her temper slipped. She did not mean to get angry but he was falling back into old habits already.

"What do you want? Ignore me. Pretend I don't exist. What would you want?"

He wanted to give her the typical answer he would give her but from the way she was glaring at him he could tell that was a bad idea.

"I want to see my son."

"Good, then this is how."

"You cannot be far from him. It will hurt you."

"So instead you should hurt?"

His answer was going to sound moronic. "Yes." She suffered enough for a lifetime because of him.

"Sesshomaru, it can't work like this. I don't like your mom but she is right. You can't pretend all the time. You can't ignore your feelings. I love you. All of you. Stop thinking you're going to scare me away because it won't happen. If we don't work out, it won't be because I'm terrified of you or because you express yourself."

She leaned into his embrace, the warmth of his body spreading to her. "Last night turned out pretty good," she said trying to stop the blush from reaching her cheeks.

He resisted the urge to chuckle. She was completely oblivious to how close he came to losing control and putting them in a situation they did not want to be in at the moment. It was safer for them to not repeat it until her heat was over.

"And I also wanted to talk to you."

Suddenly, her tone sounded much serious and he pulled away from her. "Is something the matter?"

"I think I've been selfish," she blurted out, avoiding his eyes. "Kiyoshi really misses you and I keep you living here and – Kiyoshi needs you and me."

He tried to keep his heartbeat down, he tried not to let his emotions over rule him – it used to be very easy for him.

"I mean you can't keep living here until we sort it out. What kind of life is that? And Kiyoshi will need to see you and I just – I don't know how to fix any of it," she finally admitted.

Sesshomaru raised his hand and cupped her cheek. "There is nothing to fix. You have done nothing wrong."

"You live in a hotel. Our son misses you. Your mother hates me. My mother doesn't really like you. Your beast hates me." She sighed. "Anyone else I need to add to the list of people who hate me?"

"My mother's opinion is of very little importance. Its opinion was never important."

"I'm tired of you being two people. It can't feel good for you. And you said it yourself; you feel the bond stronger than I do. It's not fair to you."

"I have had more time to come to terms with everything. You have not."

"I want to."

"Kagome, I am not leaving you unless you want me to. You have all the time; there is no need for you to rush the process."

He wanted nothing more than for them to go through life without fears but he knew he had to wait for them to mend the wounds he brought upon her. If he had to wait forever, he would.

"I will buy a house. The first one I find if it makes the whole situation more comfortable."

"I don't need you spending money recklessly."

He chuckled. "I do not think you realize how much money I have."

She knew he had a lot. After all he paid for all of their travels and hotels. They were gone for quite a while too. She never did educate herself much about his life though. Now that she was thinking about it, she felt rude.

"I – just – it's not necessary. I mean unless…" It never occurred to her how uncomfortable it might be for him to live in a hotel. Ever since she came into his modern life he had to leave his home. Maybe he wanted a place to call his own. "If you want a home, then, I mean, I won't stop you."

"My home is where you and my son are."

She covered his hand with hers. "I know." His words were so truthful they almost hurt. "But if you wanted somewhere more appropriate, somewhere other than a hotel room for once – I'm sorry I went against your idea. You can do what you want. It's your life and your money."

He always thought the next home he bought would be for him and his family. He had to live in very bad situation in the past as he made the transition from the old world to the new old. This was nothing; this was even luxurious.

Sesshomaru was about to answer her when a familiar presence tickled him. His eyes lifted and he glared at the door. Without thinking, he bore his fangs and a growl escaped him.

Kagome went rigid but she remained by his side. She peered at the door, a bad feeling washing over her. "Who is it?"

"My mother." Again.

An invitation was clearly not needed for her as she opened the door regardless of the bad vibes coming from her son. She walked in with a smile on her face as if she was completely welcomed and loved.

"Kagome." Her attention was quickly focused on someone else. Kiyoshi.

She was about to bend down to reach out for her grandson when Kagome moved in the way.

"I don't think so."

"You will prevent your son from seeing his grandmother?"

"Oh no, he does see his grandmother."

Kagome disliked her for more reason than before. She introduced herself under false pretenses, lied and then… she managed to shake Kagome's confidence. Sesshomaru and she had enough obstacles to overcome and now that the road ahead was finally calmer and smoother they did not need anyone messing it up.

Mizuki smiled but remained silent. The girl liked to prove her wrong; she liked to win against her. How unfortunate that Mizuki could so easily crush her. She had nothing against her really; she was smart, beautiful and she was the Shikon Miko. Heck, she even had a little attitude that was admirable.

But she would break his son's heart. She was going to leave and it was a good thing because she was not fit to be his. She could not handle who Sesshomaru was.

She could prove it. She thought she did last time, after all she smelled the tears and how upset she was, but it all came apart.

Tonight, it would not.

"You cannot be with him," she spoke softly.

"Mother we – "

"I heard you two speak." She turned her head to look at her son. "You did not think I would leave you without watching over you? This is quite a nice hotel."

She would no longer need to hide her aura while residing in the room next door it seemed.

"What is left to figure out? If you cannot accept him now, you never will? Do you think the fears will dissipate? That the nightmares will stop? If you do not love him as a whole now, you will never be worthy of him. You never were."

Many emotions flashed through Kagome's eyes and Mizuki almost chuckled. Yes, she reminded her of Izayoi so much. The most human of humans.

Kagome felt her power wanting to surge but she kept herself calm. She could hardly control the height and intensity of her new powers and Sesshomaru and her son were in the room; she had no desire to harm them as well.

"I do love him."

"Not all of him."

"Whoever he is in the end, I will love him."

Even if it did not work, even if they failed, the feelings and the memories would remain. She learned to love and ignore the hate, she learned to forgive and give him her heart regardless of the history they shared. They would always be mated, no matter what they chose to do, and he would always be Kiyoshi's father.

"Fear is not love. Do not let him sacrifice who he is for you. He already has given you enough."

"I have never seen you before. Not then, not now. Why do you care?"

"Do you know the privilege you were given when he mated you? Of course not. You became a part of the House of the Moon. By mating only, but nonetheless. Me, my son and his son are the only ones of blood left. If you had been there back then – if you had seen us – it meant everything. Why do you think he is so powerful? Why do you think I am?"

She took a step forward. "You were given a privilege. Unfortunately, my son made a stupid decision. You are not right for him. Maybe you were but you were broken."

"I was ne-"

"Never broken? Yes you were, dear. Even if you never gave in, do you not fear his red eyes? Did you not fear intimacy? You were and still are broken. You will always be."

Kagome wanted to argue, to tell her to stop speaking lies. She never considered herself broken by his beast, only by the pain. She never surrender, she always fought him the best she could.

"Let him go or face him."

Mizuki focused her attention on her son. "You only have the title of Lord because your father passed away. I am still the Lady of the House of the Moon. I am still your alpha, Sesshomaru."

She did not want to do this to him but they both refused to listen to her. How could they not see she was doing this for their own good? In the end, if they kept going down this path, they would only hurt each other.

Her son needed to be free. He needed to be an inuyoukai. She remembered his cold exterior, his pride… it was all gone. She did not think a few centuries could change someone so much.

She stepped towards him and put her palm flat against his chest. "You hate me currently, but it will still recognize me as its alpha."

Mizuki allowed her youki to slip free and graze against her son's. She was demanding his beast. It alone could prove her point.

She is right.

She is wrong. You heard Kagome speak. She will love us no matter what.

When we are one, when I can longer come and out and control us.

Sesshomaru wanted to say that it would not matter to her. That she loved him now even though there were still risks. But that was the thing. She loved him but only that one part of him. The outcome with his beast… was it not the reason they were not a family? The reason they lived apart? The reason she did not want him to propose to her?

His need to be close to her grew with each day. His side of the bond was straightening and hers remained the same.

He did not want her to face his beast because he feared if she did, she would leave him. If he could never be fixed, if he could never be one, would she want this nonetheless?

"Mother, stop your foolishness."

"Why are you afraid?"

Her question caused Kagome's heartbeat to speed up.

"She is human. She will die before you regardless of the mating mark you placed upon her. She will be gone and you will be free to find someone else. I have never seen you afraid before."

"I have never had anything to lose." He was powerful, he was everything. He knew nobody could ever take anything from him. Until she came along.

"That has not changed."

This time, she surged her power and blast him through the chest, sending him flying into the nearest wall. "I command you," she spoke with a firm tone.

Kagome rushed to his side and kneeled beside him. She put her hands on his shoulder with concern shining in her eyes. "Sesshomaru?"

She brushed the bangs away from his face and cupped his cheek to lift his head. Then, she froze. His eyes remained closed but she knew. She did not need to see them to feel it.

But he opened them anyway. Red eyes stared up at her and she could not even look away.

He raised his hands and squeezed down on her arms, holding her in place. "You cannot be with us. You will not find happiness."

"I love him," she said with a steady voice.

She remembered last night and this morning. Moments of love and moments of happiness. Not even it could take her joy and hope away from her. He never could.

"Love is not enough. I loved you and it brought me nothing." He risked everything to have her; to love her and she never returned the feeling.

"When he has me, you -" Why was it so hard to admit it? "You have me too."

"I will never have your heart."

"You don't need my heart. You never did. You never wanted it." If he had, he would have treated her differently despite the 'ways of his time'.

The beast stared at her but she held firm. She did not want to be one to look away. She was never going to be intimidated by him again.

"I will let you have him."

Her heart skipped.

"If you kiss me."

-B-