“Please.”
It’s his plea that does it. Whispered against my lips, the heat of his mouth imprinting his soul onto mine.
Trick. He’s ensuring you don’t kill him. Don’t fall for it.
Another tear slides down my cheek—one I actually feel—as I obey him and let my eyes open to his heartbreak.
Little does he know it’ll only get worse from here.
He cups my face again, drawing me to him. His chest against mine, his heart against mine. “Kamahki,talk to me. Explain. Nothing will ever harm you again, I promise. I’ll die before you’re hurt again.”
Words form, pushed between dry, cracking lips filled with so many emotions they’re impossible to sort through. “You can’t protect me from this.”
“I’ll protect you against the world. Yourself included.”
He can’t. Kill him now. Become stronger.
There’s only one part the voice was correct about.
“Not this,” I repeat—whisper, turning my head until speaking to his fingertips. A brush of his skin when my heart longs for more. Fingers caress my throat until he tips my face and lowers his head.
Don’t do it. Please, Ryder, don’t do it.
But because he can’t read my mind, my plea is ignored, and he presses his lips to mine. Light. Gentle. A promise whisperedas a kiss. No possession for once, but a display of what his promise is.
Kill.
Kill.
Kill.
Darkness rises inside me. Slithering links around my neck, slipping beneath his hold. Ryder won’t be able to feel how it’s pushing him aside for itself, but I do.
Kill him.
I yank away. “Ryder?—”
“Ryder!” A body streaks from the woods towards us, and I don’t think, don’t mean to.
I just react.Me.Not Darkness.
As a single thought—an instinct—consumes me.
Protect.
Sixty-One
RYDER
She’s pulling awayfrom me. She barely kisses me back, and her tears paint my hands with her anguish.
My wolf is vicious. I’m pissed.
But not at her. At this whole shit situation.
Guilt and horror radiate in waves as strong as the ocean. There’s no fighting it—only accepting it. So that’s what I attempt to do: show her that no matter what, I’m here for her. I’ll accept her.
Light, Dark, or a mix. Witch, shifter, or a mix.
