Chapter Eleven



Sydney woke up the next morning with Sark beside her. She ran a hand through his hair to gently wake him up. His eyes fluttered open after a couple of moments.

Good morning, he said sleepily, stifling a yawn.

Sydney said, propping herself up on one elbow and keeping the sheets close to her body. I wanted to ask you something.

Sark stretched and nodded for her to continue.

Um, well, I was thinking back to when you kidnapped my friend, and— Her voice broke.

Sydney, it's over. We're on the same side now.

Sydney sat up and leaned against the headboard, grasping the sheets tightly. I—I—I just wanted to know if you had actually intended to— She was sobbing now, her face was buried in her hands.

Sark sat up as well and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Sydney twisted away angrily.

I think I know what you were going to ask me, Sark whispered. Sydney looked up at him, her lower lip trembling. Even through all the tears in her eyes, Sark could see the light bouncing off, changing them to the dark amber he had come to associate with her vulnerability. I didn't intend to kill him. I wanted the page and I might have used your friend as a pawn but I never wanted to kill him.

Sydney sniffed and wiped her eyes. Are you telling me the truth? she asked, her voice gruff.

Sark nodded and ran both of his thumbs over Sydney's cheeks to wipe away her tears. I'm surprised you didn't ask me that a long time ago. Especially since we got in so deep.

I don't know, Sydney admitted. I wanted to ask, but I was afraid, and then we did—erm—what we did, and— She sighed. I don't know. I should have. Because we got in so deep. She cast her eyes downward and Sark peered downward as he read the resentment etched into them.

Do you think what we did was a mistake? Sark asked, a little frustrated.

I really don't know, I'm not sure what compelled me to do this.

Sark scoffed.

Sydney began, wiping away a few stray tears, it's not that I regret doing anything with you, I mean, you were—wow— Sark interrupted her with a smirk and a chuckle. Sydney tried to suppress a smile. The point is—

Sark interrupted her again. The point is you like this guy and you weren't sure what to do about it and you probably got nervous about whether or not he felt the same way you felt and you tried to alleviate those feelings by doing this with me.

Sydney raised her eyebrows. How did you do that?

I had three sisters.

Sydney laughed then they were both silent for a while. I do like him, though. She giggled. Before I left, he was looking for a pan and I went to help him and somehow we fell asleep on the floor.

Sark smiled and ran a hand through his hair.

But then we had a fight when we confessed our feelings for each other. That was why I didn't get a chance to pack, Sydney explained.

Sark said with a nod. I figured something had to have happened.

Sydney nodded. So now hopefully he doesn't hate me because I really would like something to happen there. I care about him so much. She sniffed, starting to cry again.

Sark lifted her chin up and looked into her eyes, which were still in the vulnerable state.

I'm sorry I did this to you, Sydney whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.

You don't have to apologize. It just happened. End of story.

You're amazing, Sydney breathed.

I try.

Sydney chuckled and Sark wiped away a few stray tears left on her cheeks.

Let's go get the vial so we can go home, he told her, starting to climb out of bed.

Sydney said, following suit.

Someone stepped out of the bathroom. I'm afraid that won't be an option.

Sydney's breath caught in her throat.