I tighten my hold on her face, pressing my forehead to hers.
“But she will die.” My voice is firm inside her mind. She resists it at first, her body thrumming with barely restrained violence, but I don’t let go. “The four of us made a vow to return, to turn the Fae Realm to ash.”
Something flickers in her expression, then she whispers in our minds,“Nimur.”
I nod against her, my thumb brushing her cheek still damp from tears.“When the time’s right, it’ll happen. But right now, I need you more than I need revenge.”
A shudder runs through her body as her darkness claws to take over. I feel it, the war inside her—the urge for vengeance dragging one way, the need to stay here pulling her the other.
We all know that fight.
I once thought Red would never forgive me for betraying her trust. But now, she’s a live wire, burning only for revenge—for me.
I hesitate, doubt myself, but… fuck it.
I press a kiss to her forehead. “Stay with me, Red.” My voice is out loud, but quiet, a plea wrapped in a soft command. “Please, baby. Don’t let her take any more from me.”
She stills at my words, then exhales a sharp gasp. I keep my lips against her skin, not knowing when I’ll ever get another chance. My fingers caressing her jaw, her cheeks, her lips, and slowly, her darkness ebbs away.
“That’s it,” I murmur. “Stay with me.”
When I lean back again, her eyes are locked on me, and though the fire’s still there, it’s no longer wild.
For a moment she just stares, then her face crumples, and a broken sound escapes her lips.
“Sai…”
Her arms are back around my neck, chest heaving against mine as the Dark Realm fades away.
This time, there’s no hesitation, I hold her instantly.
“You’ve really been given a shit deal with us, Red.” I force out a brittle laugh, hoping to ease all this dread. “We get you, and you get four fucked-up bonds.”
She pulls back instantly, her face tear-streaked with black smudges of make-up, and swollen lips—and she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
Even when she looks downright offended.
“But maybe,” I rush to add, “maybe that’s the point. We might be a mess alone, but the four of us together… maybe we can make something worthy enough for you.”
Her expression softens. “Sai, you’re giving me way too much credit.” She swipes hastily at her face until the skin reddens, and all I want is to kiss it better. “I don’t even know what my past life was. I could have been a mass murderer, I could have been evil and—”
“I’ve seen evil, Red.” I stop her, and thankfully, she doesn’t try to say any other ridiculous things. “I’ve seen it in all kinds of forms, in all types of beings. It clings to you, stains your soul. You’re good, Red. Too good.”
“But I can meld minds like Ezekial. That means—”
“Nothing, Red.” I brush her cheeks over and over. “It means something bad happened to you, not that you are bad. Just like with Zeek.”
She bites her lip and my gaze darts to it. The urge to kiss her is constant, but I won’t, not now. This isn’t the right time.
“But we will find out what happened to you,” I vow, eyes meeting hers. “And when we do, we’ll add it to our revenge list.” I smirk, knowing at least one dimple goes with it. “At this point, I should probably start writing it down.”
She sniffles, then lets out a breath that’s almost a laugh—a little sharp and exhausted, but there.
“Let’s not make it too long,” she says, trying to smile.
My smirk widens into a teasing grin as I tilt my head. “Baby, you don’t even know our completion rate. Have you met my unit? Trust me, we can add one more.”
She huffs, rolling her eyes. “You make it sound like a sport.”
