“If she doesn’t want to leave Faerie, I won’t make her,” I snap, stepping out of his hold.
Memories of being led away from my tribe and into the clutches of the Kotovs flood my mind. I was young, too young to fully comprehend the gravity of what was happening. From the very beginning, I was denied the opportunity to make a choice, my freedom bargained away without my consent.
As the memories blur with the present, I turn my head to meet Kai’s gaze. He’s standing where I left him, his eyes filled with a sympathy that I can’t bear to see. It’s as if he can feel the weight of my past, the pain that still lingers in the recesses of my mind. I glance back at the stunning dragon shifter, and her inquisitive golden reptilian eyes observe us intently.
Kai closes the gap between us and his strong hands close firmly around my shoulders. “Ash, I stand with you. Whatever you want to do. Seraphina has a choice.”
“I won’t take someone from their home,” I choke out. The three brothers are well aware of my strong disdain regarding this matter. “And I know she is a prisoner here and I will help her if that’s what she wants, but fuck them if they think I’d bring a woman back to them, to tie her to that fate if it’s not what she wishes. How dare they ask that of me? I’m not a goddamn trafficker.” My voice grows louder as I spit out the last words, while my shadows dance erratically all around us.
Kai’s piercing blue eyes scan my face, his firm hold on me never faltering, while a mischievous smirk tugs at the corners of his mouth. “You’re so fucking hot when you’re angry.”
I snort, shaking my head at him. “You’re delusional.”
“You’re in denial,” he adds, tucking my hair behind my ear.
“I wanted to complete this mission so we could be together, so they’d free me once and for all, but I can’t do it. I won’t do it.”
“Baby. Mission or no mission, nothing is going to get in our way. Not even the Kotov brothers. Ash, listen to me,” Kai says, refocusing my attention back on him. His eyes dart between mine, making sure I’m paying attention. “Everything is better with you. Everything has been better since you.”
I open my mouth to speak, but he swoops in, placing a soft kiss on my lips. “I’m not done . . . I’m always craving to kiss you, always longing to touch you. Yearning to be near you and love you. I never realized how much my heart longed for you until I experienced the sweetness of your love, then foolishly tried to shut it away. No matter what happens, it’s you and me,” he whispers.
Tears well up in my eyes, and I blink rapidly to hold them back. “Now you’re going to make me cry, you big baboon.”
Kai chuckles, cupping my face and kissing me soundly. Warmth spreads through my chest, making me feel lighter.
“We need to get out of this valley before something else finds us, because I’m not sure I can handle another fight right now.” I sigh, breaking away from him. “Every inch of my body aches something fierce, and my head is pulsing relentlessly.”
Not to mention, my hair is sticky with blood, and I undoubtedly resemble someone who has been dragged through hell backward.
Chapter thirty-four
Ashwiyaa
“Just because you feel lost doesn’t mean that you are.Sometimes you just have to relax, breathe deep, and trust the pathyou’re on.” -Lalah Delia
“Ican help with that,” Seraphina says cautiously.
“You can?” I’m highly doubtful of her abilities.
“I can’t leave the cave, but if you come here, I can heal your wounds.”
I frown and step forward. “What do you mean, you can’t leave the cave?”
“I’ll tell you after I’ve healed you. You look like you’re going to fall on your face,” she replies, her hand emerging from her cloak to reveal a gleaming goldendagger.
I stiffen and narrow my eyes at her, but it’s Kai’s low growl that stops her in her tracks.
“What the fuck are you going to do with that?” he rumbles.
Seraphina’s eyes widen in surprise, but she doesn’t answer; instead, she extends her hand toward me. Deciding to trust her, I step into the cave and place my hand in hers, feeling a mix of uneasiness and curiosity.
With a swift motion, she flips my hand, exposing my palm to the sky, and deftly slices across it, causing a thin line of blood to well up. Slicing her own palm, she grips my hand tightly in hers. The moment our blood meets, light flashes behind my eyes with an intensity that sends a jolt of light and energy pulsing through my body, awakening every synapse.
Within seconds, all my broken bones, cuts, and bruises are gone. Unfortunately, I still have blood and dirt all over me, clinging like a second skin.
“You’re glowing. Why are you glowing?” Kai says, his voice sounding distant.
Blinking my eyes open, I drop Seraphina’s hand and stand there in utter confusion. My dark skin is adorned with golden bands and marks, forming a captivating pattern. These are new markings I’ve never seen before. I lift my arms up and twist them, trying to understand what I’m seeing.
