“No,” he blurts, licking his lips in a nervous habit I’ve never seen from him. “It’s as though our powers have connected. You feel… stronger.”
I do.
It’s hard to describe, but there’s this lightness. A release. Even breathing feels easier, like my lungs have been trapped in a vice for years, and I’m only now remembering how to inhale fully.
“These all sound like good things, Kane.” I kiss him, gentle and coaxing, waiting for him to lose himself in it—then I pull back.“So now tell me what you’re really worried about.”
He swallows, staring at me intently, knowing he can’t hide from me.
Not now. Not ever.
“You’re not immortal,” he says finally.
I try not to smile. I don’t want him to mistake it for teasing—not when he’s this adorable, awkward version of Kane.
So I nod again. “I know.”
“Not yet,” he adds in a murmur, gaze shifting away. “Which means you’re vulnerable to… everything. The urge to keep you locked inside this house…” He trails off, jaw flexing.
So many thoughts are rushing through those troubled eyes.
“I’m possessive,” he blurts sharply, dark sight locking with mine. “Selfish. Controlling. It’s going to be too much for you. For them—”
I catch his face in my hands, stopping him. “Being locked inside this house with you doesn’t sound so bad.”
His eyes flicker, the dark catching light. Especially when I let one hand drop, and my fingers tip-toe down his throat.
“I like that you’re possessive, Kane,” I whisper. His gaze drops to my mouth, then darkens. “I’m pretty possessive too.” My fingers drift lower, over his hard chest. “Maybe I’ll lock you inside this house with me. Maybe…” I brush over the centre of his sternum, circling the mark etched into him. “I’ll be too much foryou.”
His breath shudders beneath my gentle touch, and the room wades into grey as I trace the dark mass of lines inked into his honey-gold skin.
He says nothing, just watches. Torn wide open, every thought written across his face.
“You already are,” he murmurs. “Too much.”
I grin, leaning in, lips brushing his ear. “An immaru, too much for a powerful demon?” I whisper, but I don’t give him a chance to answer.
My mouth finds his throat, teeth grazing his skin, and his hand flies to the back of my head, a low breath catching in his throat.
His pulse jumps beneath my lips, fingers curling in my hair. When I nip, a sharp hiss escapes his lips—
He flips me beneath him in a single, smooth motion. One hand pins both of mine above my head, the other presses firm against my ribs so he can cage me below his body.
“You forget what I am, immaru.” My breath catches as his mouth brushes mine. “Now lie still,” he murmurs, hand drifting lower. “Let me have what’s mine—”
He winces, tension tightening his features, a grimace on his lips.
“Kane?” My shadow brushes his cheek.
“It’s them,” he mutters, his grip on my wrists tightening. “I told them what happened. They’ve been worried all night.” He scowls at the sensation.
I ease the pain, brushing it away with a thought.
He exhales through his nose. “But I told them not to come, because you said—”
“Just us.” I smile softly, and he nods. “Good. It wouldn’t have helped. It would’ve been too much, too many emotions at once. I just needed you.”
I think he might kiss me, but Kane only holds my gaze like he’s memorising me, this moment, my words.
