53. Ariel -No more lies!

53. Ariel -No more lies!
I hesitate. 
I hesitate to kiss Killian because I don’t understand the need for secrets. He’s willing to keep things hidden from me that might make me hate him. Why?
If he loves me the way he says he does, there won’t be a need for secrets. 
When he realizes that I’m not going to kiss him, he breathes, “Ariel,” as he presses his forehead to mine. “What can I do so that you will believe me that I’ll never do anything to hurt you?” 
Despite his claim, I still say, “How about you start with the truth. With what you are hiding from me. Secrets are hurting me.” 
They make me feel paranoid, that I can’t rely on any of them, no matter how much I love them. Even Asher. It hurts to know that someone I care about so deeply doesn’t feel the same about me. 
Asher even blamed me for losing Araella. I don’t understand what he meant by that and… I’m afraid to ask, because I might not like the answer. 
I don’t understand him. He wanted me. The way he kissed me or touched me–all of that was real. Could it be that he imagined that I was her? 
I need to get out of my head. This is not healthy. Besides, I was the one who pushed him away. He was content to be with me out of duty. 
But I am not. 
I am him to love me for who I am, not because of nature or whoever is responsible for these mating bonds. 
“You can ask me anything,” his tone is pleading, “but not that, Love.” 
“Why not?” I inquire. 
He inhales deeply, breathing me in. “Don’t ask questions I can’t reply to.” 
His refusal to reply to tell me the truth only makes me distrust them even more. But instead of pushing for answers, I say, “Then tell me this–will you be able to tell me everything one day?” 
I expect him to say no, but that’s not what comes out of his mouth. “If I find a way to tell you without putting your life in danger–” 
Elijah steps into the living room, and Killian stops talking. 
“What the fuck are you doing?” Elijah growls. 
“I was talking to Ariel,” Killian replies innocently. 
Elijah fists his palms. “Do I have to remind you about the rules? You know what happened last time you broke them.” 
Killian’s soft blue eye color turns like that of a raging storm. “I wasn’t about to say anything that might… I only wanted her to know how much we love her.” 
Elijah is not happy with Killian’s reply. “Screw up once more, and it will be your last,” he sneers before going into his room. 
Whatever they are not telling me has to be big if Elijah is warning Killian to keep his mouth shut. 
But Killian said he will keep secrets rather than risk losing me. I’m not sure what that means, but I don’t want to ask him right now. Later, when Elijah is not around, as I don’t want to get Killian into trouble. And the rules… I need to know more about that. 
“Elijah can be scary when angry,” Killian comments before returning to begging me. “Just one kiss,” he pleads. “It’s been so long since I last felt your lips on mine.” 
The corners of my mouth twitch. I kissed him early in the morning. And I also kissed Khai before he and Killian went to the store.  
Knowing that Asher is the one who doesn’t want me makes it easier to trust the rest with my heart, even if they are hiding things from me. Besides, Killian has always been open about his feelings.
So, I shift in his lap so I can straddle him and put my arms around his neck. 
“One kiss,” I concede before I quickly press my lips to his, giving a small peek. 
He blinks, confused. “That’s it?” 
“For now.” 
“You tricked me,” he pouts, which makes me laugh. 
Being with Killian is so easy. After I ran away, he was the one I missed the most. 
“I will kiss you again after I finish watching the movie,” I promise as I cuddle next to him on the sofa and unpause the TV. 
Killian wraps his arm around my shoulders and rests his cheek on top of my head, while I rest mine on his shoulder. He plays with my hair, distracting me, but I don’t mind. I wasn’t really paying any attention to the movie anyway. 
“What did you buy from the store?” I randomly ask. “I didn’t see any bags.” 
Killian’s hand freezes. “Oh, we decided to order takeout in the end for dinner.” 
I look up at him. “Takeout? Didn’t Khai say he wanted to cook a new dish he tried in a restaurant not long ago?”
Killian starts to stammer. “We didn’t find… he decided to leave it for another time.” 
“You’re lying. Don’t even try to deny because I can see it in your eyes. Am I not worthy of respect? Of knowing what’s going on?” I move away from him. 
“Ariel…” He sounds heartbroken, but not as I am.
“Don’t,” I say. “I’m tired of all the bullshit and nonsense. I understand that there are things that you can’t tell me right now, but I don’t think I can stand the lies, the secrets. There should be none between mates.” 
Killian lets out a long sigh before getting to his feet. “Come with me.”
I get to my feet and follow him into Elijah’s room. 
Elijah is on his bed, reading. 
“What?” he asks without lifting his eyes from his book. 
“Ariel knows we are lying about going to the store earlier,” Killian says.

I am aware that the updates haven't been consistent, but they will be. I plan to update this book once every two days :)