“Just accept the thank you,” she scolds mockingly, then replaces her fingers with a soft, tentative kiss. One that has me following her lips as she leans away, only stopping when she whispers, “And Julien. I want the rune gone.”
My gaze darts to her eyes, and I know the fire in mine gives me away—desire tangled with the fierce, dangerous need to give her exactly what she’s asking for. Right now.
Because by saying she wants the rune gone, she’s accepting that she may become immortal. Like us.
Forever.
She smiles, clearly pleased by my silence. “I think we should head back. I need to speak with the others—”
“No,” I cut in, my hand tightening on her waist. “Not yet.”
She blinks, and a fiery ember flickers in those eyes at my denial. I smile despite myself, knowing her possession is burning just as deeply.
“They were not themselves, mon âme. They were lost in the dark, and while they will be glad to see you, truly…” I brush my knuckles along her jaw. “Now may not be the time.”
She’s quiet for a moment, but the flickering fire fades. “You’re right.” Her fingers trail lightly across my chest. “Maybe I should go see Kacey.”
My fingers twitch against her ribs, and her eyes widen in realisation that I’m also feeling a little… possessive.
“She was there for me when I needed someone, now she might need me.”
It’s not said to hurt, but the reminder in her words… The memory ofwhat she once said, that she’d never forgive us.
Her fingers find my face again, easing the horrid sensation.
“Hey,” she murmurs. “You’rethe one who just said we shouldn’t live in the past.” She gifts me a soft smile, her fingers brushing my cheek. “I just want her to know I’m there for her too.”
I sigh, not even trying to hide my displeasure. Thankfully, it only makes her smile grow.
***
Once we’re back at the empty apartment, she dresses, and I flit her to the Council building.
I remain in Ezekial’s office long after I leave her in the atrium with Kacey. Her soft kisses still linger on my skin as I stare out the window, studying the district, eyes fixed on the barrier.
We’re even closer to removal day. Three more days, to be exact.
Have we done enough to convince her?
We’re bonded, that decision has been made. But it means nothing if she doesn’t truly want it. If she chooses not to stay.
I can’t afford to think like that. She gave us her word, signed that ridiculous contract, has been intimate with Kane, wants the rune removed…
Even if we never uncover the truth of what was done to her, never find the missing pieces of her past, we will walk every step of the journey with her. Help her rediscover who she is.
Who she chooses to become.
She doesn’t need to remember her past to be whole, she only needs to know that we’re here. That we’ll never stop choosing her.
And I hope, in time, she chooses us in return.
All we must do now is show her, in every way we know how, that we are worthy of the woman she is yet to remember, and the one she is choosing to become.
Chapter 52: Ezekial
I’ve never feared my darkness.
Not when it twisted into immortality, tearing me apart from the inside out. Not when it crawled into minds and left them hollowed. But I feared it then.
