Eternal Love: (The Cursed Series, Book 4) Read online

  He hung his head. “I never said it was a good decision on my part, and believe me, I’ve regretted it every single day.” He looked up at me, his eyes shifting from clear to dark. “You have no idea how hard it was for me knowing you were with him doing God knows what.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Nothing like that ever happened with Jax.”

  The relief on Trent’s face was palpable. “I’m sorry. I messed up. I know that now, and I hope you can forgive me, because if you—”

  “Shut up,” I snapped.

  I was tired of talking about the mistakes we made and all the apologies. Neither of us were innocent in this; we’d both made mistakes that we couldn’t take back. All of that was in the past, though, and I was done living there.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck, slanting my mouth over his. There was no hesitation on his part—he flattened his hands on my back, holding me as close as possible, which was awkward considering we were both kneeling in front of each other, and deepened the kiss.

  I clutched the front of his shirt and leaned backward until I was flat on my back on the air mattress, bringing Trent down with me. The feel of his weight on me, the taste of his lips on mine, the sounds of our ragged breaths shifted my world into a focus so clear I knew with absolute certainty that I’d made the right choice.

  Trent was my future.

  “God, I’ve missed you.” He groaned, his kisses becoming hotter. “My entire existence, I’ve lived with this curse.” He showered my neck with tiny, heated kisses, though he was careful to avoid the bite mark. “I always thought I wasn’t meant to find love, that I’d be alone for eternity. Then I met you. I found my soulmate.” He moved his lips across my collarbone, and I tilted my head, granting him permission. “And everything changed. I suddenly wanted everything I knew I couldn’t have.”

  “But you can have it,” I said, guiding his head up so he was looking at me. “You do have it, Trent. Right now. Here. With me.”

  “I know.” He smiled. “But it’s not going to last. That’s a fact we’re both going to have to face.”

  I shifted beneath him so I was more comfortable. “Do you remember the night of the party at Bushnell Falls? Isach was messing with me, and it was the first time you ever kissed me?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, why?”

  “That was the night you told me you were cursed, and it was then that I realized I was in love with you. I don’t know why it happened right then, but it did. That has never changed. Not once,” I said emphatically. “And it never will.”

  Sighing, he rested his forehead to mine. “I have no idea how we’re going to do this,” he said, his voice strangled. “All I want to do is claim you, and I can’t. I can never change you, either, which means—”

  I held my fingers to his lips to silence him. I knew what it meant, that I’d have to stay human and then die, leaving Trent heartbroken for all of eternity. That I’d grow old while he never did.

  “I know,” I whispered.

  “I went to see your dad,” he said.

  The abrupt change in topic surprised me, and I struggled for words. “You did? Why?”

  Trent adjusted his body so he was half on me half on the air mattress, and I wiggled onto my side as much as I could so I was facing him.

  “A lot of reasons. I wanted to apologize to him for bringing you into this mess. I wanted him to know you were okay, and then he demanded I tell him exactly what had been going on.” He chuckled, but it lacked any humor. “So, I told him everything.”

  “What did he say?”

  And why hadn’t my father said anything to me about this when I talked to him?

  “He told me to get out of his house. Several times.”

  I laughed. That sounded like Dad.

  “But then I promised him I wouldn’t let anything happen to you, that I’d give my life for yours if I had to, and I made it clear I could protect you better than he could. Or anyone else for that matter,” he said.

  I lifted my brows with disbelief. “You seriously said that to him?”

  Trent nodded. “Then I asked for his blessing.”

  My throat went dry, and my heart thumped hard and fast. “His blessing for what?”

  “For this.” Trent leaned over me and reached into the side pocket of the duffel bag. He retrieved a small, black box.

  My heart stopped, then kickstarted, then stopped again. What was he doing? That could not be what I thought it was. He was not proposing to me. He couldn’t be. We hadn’t known each other that long, and we’d literally just gotten back together half an hour ago.

  He used his thumb to flip open the box. Inside was a silver band with tiny diamond encrusted hearts entwined. It was absolutely gorgeous. I held my breath and met his gaze.

  “It’s a promise ring,” he said.

  I exhaled with relief.

  “I told your father how much I loved you. He must have thought I was such a sap.” He chuckled. “Something I said must have resonated with him, because he said if this is what you wanted, if I was the man you truly wanted to be with, he’d give me his blessing. Of course, I then had to promise on my life and swear a blood oath that I’d never hurt you and if you ever decided I wasn’t what you wanted, I’d let you go.”

  “He really said that?” I asked.

  “Every word.” Trent took the ring out of the box. “This is my promise to you, Chloe. That I will never break your heart ever again. I will spend my existence loving you and protecting you. I’ll be your shoulder to cry on when you need it, a friend and a lover, whenever you’re ready for that.” He winked. “And maybe, someday, I can be your husband.”

  I drew in a ragged breath and blinked against the tears pooling in my eyes.

  Trent reached for my right hand and caressed my knuckles. His touch was so gentle it caused goose bumps to rise on my arms. “This is my promise of forever.” He moved to slip the ring onto my finger.

  I jerked my hand back. “No.” I eased up into a sitting position.

  “No?” He swallowed so hard I could see his Adam’s apple bob in his throat. “But… I thought…”

  “I don’t want forever, Trent.” I cupped his cheeks and leaned forward so our faces were inches apart, and I held his gaze. “I want an eternity,” I whispered.

  His eyes widened, and his brows shot up. “Eternity?”

  I nodded, and in that moment, I saw his face fall, as if his entire world had just crumbled.

  “We both know that’s not possible,” he said gently. “Not anymore.”

  “I’m going to break this bond. I don’t care what it takes. I will find a way,” I said forcefully. “And then you’re going to be the one to change me.”

  “Let’s say you do break the bond. What about Isach? He said—”

  “Let me deal with Isach.” I brushed my lips across Trent’s. “So, are you going to promise me an eternity or not?”

  He smiled against my lips and yanked me down flat on my back. “Are you sure you want me for an eternity? It’s a very long time.”

  “Didn’t anyone tell you it was rude to answer a question with a question?”

  Trent laughed, the sound reverberating around the enclosed space and enveloping me in a warmth I’d been missing for far too long. He once again took my right hand, and this time, I let him slip the ring onto my finger.

  “I’m yours, Chloe. For eternity,” he said.

  CHAPTER THREE:

  We’re on the Same Team

  “STOP,” I GASPED.

  Trent pulled away, and I fought to catch my breath. “Are you okay?” he asked.

  I nodded. My mouth was dry, and my heart still wasn’t showing any indication of slowing down. Even though I told him to stop, my lips tingled, yearning to feel his mouth on mine again. I’d never get tired of kissing him.

  “Yeah, I just need a second to breathe,” I said.

  Being in the bed of his pickup truck was small and cramped, but now that the rain had stopped, the air was sticky and muggy, m
aking it twice as hot. I reached for my shoes.

  “Trying to get away from me already?” Trent asked. He lay on his back, one hand tucked behind his head. “Told ya you wouldn’t be able to handle me for eternity.” A playful glint shimmered in his blue eyes.

  Laughing, I swatted at him, my eye catching the promise ring I wore on my finger. The mere sight of it caused a smile to form. I held my hand up, admiring the silver band.

  The carved hearts were intricate but delicate, and the tiny diamonds glistened. The promises he’d made to me raced through my mind. I ran my finger over the ring, twisting it on my finger. It fit perfectly.

  How had he known my ring size? Who cared? He’d promised himself to me for eternity, and I was going to do the same—as soon as I had a chance to talk to Isach again. I needed to make sure he’d meant what he’d said, that he’d look the other way so I could change and break the curse.

  “And you’re distracted by shiny things.” Trent laughed.

  “Shut up,” I teased and leaned down to give him a quick kiss. “It’s hot in here. I need some air.”

  Trent sat up and had both his shoes on before I got my first shoe on and buckled. I glared at him, hating how he always moved so fast and gracefully.

  “Will I be able to move like that when I change?” I asked.

  I refused to say “if I change” ever again. It was no longer a matter of if, but when. I needed to stay positive that I could figure all of this out and have the eternity with Trent that I so desperately wanted now.

  “Yes.” Trent moved to the end of the truck bed and opened the tailgate, then the cap. He climbed down and held his hand out for me.

  Cool air greeted me as I scooted out of the truck. I took Trent’s hand, and he helped me down, then wrapped his arms around me. I sighed with contentment, knowing he was finally mine again and that there wasn’t anything else that could tear us apart. At least, I hoped not.

  “So, what changed? You were so adamant about wanting to stay human. And how are you going to deal with Isach?” he asked.

  I smiled, pleased that Trent was talking as if my immortality was now a certainty rather than dependent on the impossibility of breaking the eternal bond with Jax.

  “I’ll explain everything, but not now, okay? I don’t want to ruin the night with talk of all that. Besides”—I rose up on my tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips—“I promised Whitney I’d go to her after party. She’ll kill me if I don’t show up.” I patted his chest. “And she’s probably losing her mind wondering what happened tonight.” I laughed.

  Trent groaned. “Going to her party means I’ll have to share you with everyone, and I don’t want to.” He pouted.

  “You’re cute when you pout.”

  “Cute?” He raised a brow.

  “Sexy?” I offered with a shrug.

  “That’s better.” He smiled, then captured my lips in a long, lazy kiss.

  Yeah, I could definitely handle this for an eternity.

  He closed the tailgate and truck cap. “Are you and Abby spending the night with Whitney?”

  “Yeah, I think so. I remember Abby saying something about it.” But I’d been so preoccupied with everything else I’d had going on that I hadn’t paid too much attention. “I’ll ask her when we get there.”

  “If you are, you’re with me tonight. Whitney will just have to deal with it.”

  He placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me to the front of the truck. He opened the passenger door, and I climbed in, which wasn’t exactly the easiest thing to do in a tight dress and heels.

  “I’m sure she’ll understand,” I said.

  Whitney had been a good friend from the moment I’d met her, and she’d been twice as good throughout everything with Trent. So had Abby and Ellie, but Whitney knew the truth about everything, and that made it easier to confide in her.

  Trent hopped in behind the steering wheel and drove through the open gates. Then he slammed on the brakes.

  I lurched forward, and my seat belt locked, cutting off my air supply. Illuminated by the truck’s headlights was the form of a woman. She took a few steps forward, and I gasped.

  “Ivy,” I said.

  “Stay in the truck.” Trent’s voice was deadly, and a shiver of fear raced up my spine. He got out, slamming his door hard.

  I cringed. Unhooking my seat belt, I rolled down my window so I could hear what they said. How on earth had Ivy found us? I thought Isach had used some sort of cloaking spell to hide me.

  Then again, Ivy knew where I lived. She knew about my family and my relationship with Trent. She wasn’t stupid—of course, Keene Valley was the first place she’d look for me. Though I was surprised it had taken her this long.

  “What’re you doing here?” Trent asked. He stood only a few feet from the front of the truck, but his voice was loud and terrifying, and his arms were crossed.

  “Let’s skip the games, shall we?” Ivy was as poised as ever, but I’d had enough conversations with her to know she was anything but calm right now. Her voice had that sharp almost unnoticeable edge to it. “I’m not here to harm anyone.”

  Trent laughed, the sound menacing. “Of course not. Kidnapping is more your style.”

  Ivy held up her hands as if surrendering. What was she up to? Unease twisted in my stomach. Emotional and mental exhaustion threatened to drown me.

  I glanced out each window, attempting to see if any other members of her coven were with her, but it was too dark to see much of anything. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling we were being ambushed.

  “I’m not here to kidnap anyone, either. I simply want to ensure Chloe is still alive,” Ivy said.

  “Why wouldn’t she be?” Trent asked.

  “You barged into my home with a Zoya witch. In case you’ve forgotten, they want Chloe dead,” she said.

  Trent’s arms dropped to his sides, and I leaned forward, peering out the windshield to get a better look. His hands curled into fists. That’s what he always did moments before he fought with Jax. Trent wasn’t going to fight Ivy, was he?

  Without thinking, I scrambled out of the truck. “I’m fine,” I said. “See?” I held my arms out. “Still very much alive.”

  Trent whipped around, eyes inky black puddles, his face tight with anger.

  My heart beat a hard, terrified rhythm, and I approached him slowly. He blinked, but his eyes were still black. I drew in a shaky breath and touched his hand. He uncurled his fist and threaded our fingers.

  Ivy smiled and lowered her hands. “It’s good to see you again, Chloe.”

  “Now that you know she’s alive, you can leave,” Trent said.

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that.” She shook her head and took a few steps forward.

  Trent growled and guided me behind him, his hold on my hand tightening. “You’re not taking her.”

  Ivy chuckled, and Trent growled even louder. “I told you. I’m not here to harm her or kidnap her,” she said.

  “Then why are you here?” I asked, my voice wavering.

  “Like I said, the Zoya want you dead. I don’t,” she said, her tone suddenly sharp. “And now that they know about you, I need to make sure they don’t kill you.”

  “Thanks, but I’ve got that covered,” Trent snapped. “No one is ever going to hurt Chloe.”

  I momentarily closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. Trent always said he’d do anything to protect me—even give his own life if necessary—and now, standing here listening to him, I knew without a doubt he’d do exactly that. I stepped out from behind him.

  “Sounds like we both want the same thing then.” Ivy smiled. “My coven has moved into a house just outside the town limits.”

  Trent’s body stiffened, and my jaw dropped. “Why are you telling me this?” he asked.

  “Consider it a show of good faith. Neither of us wants the Zoya to get to Chloe, do we? Because we all know what will happen if they do.”

  Her gaze landed on me, and I shivered, shrin
king against Trent.

  “We’re on the same team here, Trenton,” Ivy continued. “I will help you protect her. You have my word. And to prove my alliance, I have something to offer both of you.”

  I narrowed my eyes. Last time Ivy offered an incentive, she’d threatened to kill my father. When that didn’t work, she’d locked me in a room with Jax and then starved him.

  “No, thanks,” I said, my voice tight. I was done playing Ivy’s games. “C’mon. Let’s go.” Tugging on Trent’s hand, we turned back toward his truck.

  “I can get rid of that little problem on your neck,” Ivy said.

  My skin prickled, and my ears rang. Stopping cold, I slowly turned around. “How do you know about that?”

  Trent slid his arm around my waist, holding me tightly against his side. His body was just as tense as it had been before, maybe more so. The vein in his temple throbbed with rage.

  “It’s in my best interest to know what’s going on with you, Chloe.” She smiled and then held out a business card.

  When I didn’t take it, she nudged it closer with a huff of impatience. Finally, I took it. There was an address scrawled across the front.

  “That’s where I’m staying,” she said. “When you’re ready to talk, come find me.” She nodded in Trent’s direction. “Enjoy the rest of your night.” And then she turned and walked away.

  We stood there for several moments. I didn’t know what Trent was thinking, but my thoughts were a jumbled mess. Could Ivy really help break the eternal bond? A spark of hope ignited in my chest, but I snuffed it before it could spread.

  All Ivy wanted was for the curse to be broken and the magical balance restored. She’d already proven she would go to any lengths to make that happen. Why was she suddenly so eager to help me? And keep me alive? Because me being alive meant the curse was still firmly in place.

  “Let’s go.” Trent led me back to the truck.