What. The actual.Fuck?“I… you… What do you mean,especiallynow?”
“I mean, I won’t risk you and our son to some idealistic, noble intentions,” he muttered darkly.
But I couldfeelhim—pleading with me in the link. Feel how he needed me, how he fought fear, desperate not to allow it freedom.
He was playing a role. But why now? And why hadn’t he given me warning?
Still, I felt stronger, clearer of my purpose. Using my trembling, twisting it into anger, I pointed a finger, stabbing it at his chest. “What thefuckare you talking about, and why haven’t you raised this with me sooner? What about Melek?”
Jann’s normally bright, amused gaze was flat. Dark. “I love Melek, he’s my brother. But his grab for the crown is false. He isn’t royal. In the end, he won’t win. And Ialwaysback a winner.”
He winked at me, like it was a joke, a reference to choosing me. But that hint of pleading was still in the bond.
Someone had to be listening.
“But… Jann… I thought we came here to help put Melek on the throne?”
I actually swayed back when he leaned over me, his eyes dark and piercing with menace. “I don’t give a flying fuck who holds that crown, as long as I’m safe, you’re safe, and our baby is safe. Nothing else matters at this point.”
“But—”
“Think it through, Dee.Think it through,” he muttered. “We’re talking aboutLucifer. The FallenArchangel.The immortal. How could we kill an immortal? And how does anyone else win while he’s still alive? Gall is his chosen. His champion. We just watched him bloodvowed to the royal line of the Fetch. Their child will bepowerful.The Neph already own the continent. Now Gall will father a dominant heir. And with the backing of Lucifer himself… You think even Melek can fight that?”
Resist.The clarion call echoed in my head, but I let my fear and anger show. “Melek is the one who won the Continent for you!”
“He won a battle or two. But real power isn’t in flesh and blood,” Jann said flatly.“Realpower grips you by the fucking soul.”
Both of us jolted with fear at the word, and for a moment I almost broke. Almost gave in, and sent him a thought that was real. But there was a reason he’d blindsided me with this. My head spun, and my already churning stomach roiled.
I knew my mate. Knew his heart was good. I also felt that fear twisting in him. For the first time it occurred to me that the same fear that made his love for me and our potential child frantic, could also drive him to extremes to protect us.
“Jann…” I breathed. “How far will this take you? How far will you go?”
His eyes went dead. “As far as I have to, to keep you and our baby safe. Now, come on. I’ll run you a bath, and we’ll rest. It’s going to be a busy day tomorrow.”
Then he turned on his heel, and prowled towards the bathing room like an enemy awaited him there.
I watched him go, still gaping.
How far will you go?
As far as I have to…
Was it possible thiswasn’tan act? That he warned me because he’d learned something that had turned his head? How far would his fear take him?
Would Jann actively betray Melek, to keep me and our son safe?
The question raised conclusions I found myself very reluctant to examine. Because they left me with only one, very important remaining question: What wouldIdo if he did?
7. Give Me Your Word
~ MELEK ~
Somehow, impossibly, the need for silence intensified the experience of making love to my mate.
I’d fisted sheets, and growled into pillows, swallowed cries and shuddered with the fight for restraint—yet now, as she rose to meet me, stifling her own cries, the sensation of moving within her was so consuming, the world disappeared. We could not risk discovery in my chambers—even a small cry might be heard, and explored by a servant. So, we both shivered and gasped, clawing and shaking in silence. My bodyscreamedfor release.
‘Yilan… I can’t hold back much longer—’
