He wanted proof Qylar was all in.
Would two marks on his flesh really be that proof? He knew it wasn’t, but if those marks truly were sacred to Nefyrians, then they were a symbol of their bond.
The bedroom door quietly opened and closed. Qylar neared the bed and sat on the opposite side from where Kenji lay with his back to him. The silence grew deafening, making it hard for Kenji to breathe.
“I’ll give you my marks.”
Kenji froze for a second.
“I know you’re awake. I can tell by your breathing,” Qylar said.
Kenji sat up in bed and stared through the dark at Qylar.
“Just remember that I tried to save you from the hell they’ll bring you,” Qylar said before sliding under the covers, his back to Kenji.
“When?”
Qylar sighed. “Tomorrow night.”
“Why not now?”
“You said you wanted them for Christmas. You’ll get them tomorrow night, after the stroke of midnight.”
Kenji sat there in the dark, sadness filling him. He’d gotten what he wanted, yet it didn’t feel very good. “I’m sorry.”
“Just go to bed, Kenji.”
Kenji lay back down, tears stinging the backs of his eyes. He wasn’t sure how many hours had passed before he drifted off, but when he woke, he was in Qylar’s arms once more. He lifted his head, and his gaze locked with Qylar’s. Scanning the bed, he’d traveled across the big bed and cuddled up to his mate.
“Sorry,” Kenji whispered before rolling away.
Qylar stopped him and dragged him close. “No. I’m the one who’s sorry. I was distant yesterday and… I was angry. More so with myself for not being the man you deserve.” He sighed. “I just want to protect you, and you just want to know you belong. Neither one of us is wrong for wanting those things… but either way I move, I’m hurting you. If I mark you or I don’t. I don’tlike an unwinnable situation. Especially one where I can’t find a third way out.”
Kenji shook his head. “I’ve asked too much. You don’t have to do it.”
Qylar froze.
“I laid down two ultimatums in the same day. It was selfish of me.”
“Neither were selfish, Kenji.”
“I demanded you help save the world. I guess I was hot off the heels of that win and thought I deserved even more. I didn’t. I can’t ask you to do something you feel this violently opposed to.”
“Kenji… I want to give you my marks. I’d like nothing better than to leave my imprints for the entire world to see. But knowing how my world will treat you after? How can I do that to you?” Qylar released a sigh. He pressed his forehead to Kenji’s. “Cover me in your marks if you feel the need. Leave no bit of flesh uncovered. I don’t care what I look like when you’re done. I belong to you, Kenji.”
And I belong to you… as long as we don’t tell anyone else.
Qylar traced his cheek. “I love you.”
Kenji winced inwardly. “I love you, too.”
CHAPTER 23
Qylar sat back from the table, his stomach nearly bursting from Cryss’s cooking. He patted his stomach and turned to Kenji, a wide grin on his face. That grin faded when he noted the dejected look on Kenji’s face. All day long, Kenji had tried to put on a brave one, but in certain moments, Qylar saw the mask crack and the melancholy seep through.
It broke him.
He knew how to fix it—but fixing it would only cause bigger problems for Kenji.
