“So… so that woman, Cartwright—she could get us in trouble.”
“If she suspected we’d done something wrong, aye, but so far, she’s allowed me to see you.”
I swallow with some difficulty, throat painfully dry. “Under what conditions?”
Lyall averts his gaze. “That I make no attempts to remind you of your past. Or expose the secrets of the paranormal world.”
“But you did both of those things!” I grip his hands, shaking them. “Lyall, if she finds out what you did, what’s going to happen to you?”
To us?
When Lyall sighs, his breath warms my cold lips. “It would be considered a violation of traveler law. The Council believes you betrayed us. They think that if you were reminded of your past, you could be a threat to my pack. Your memories would be removed once again. My pack cold lose their traveling privileges.”
“But that means we’d never see each other again.” No, it’s worse than that, I realize, remembering my encounter with Anders and Jamie this morning. “You’d never see Anders again!”
Lyall nods, closing his eyes tight as if the very thought pains him.
I drop his hands, my heart thudding somewhere up in my throat. I knew he could get in trouble with his family, but I had no idea what bigger consequences lay in store for Lyall. He’d estrange himself from his pack in the past, be separated from his twin in the present, just for seeing me.
Nothing is worth that sort of risk.
“I know what you’re thinking, love, and I’m stopping you right there.” Lyall takes my hands and holds them to his chest. I don’t know if I’m shaking from cold or terror. “Anders knows the risks. So do I. Choosing you was not a decision I made lightly, but I’ve made my peace with it.”
My throat thickens. “Are you sure? Lyall, I don’t want to be the reason you lose your family.”
But selfish as it makes me, I don’t want to lose him either.
Lyall blinks fast, eyes damp. “I made my choice. I’m choosing you.” Bringing my hands to his lips, he kisses them both, eyes never straying from mine.
“I don’t want to lose you.” The words tear at my throat, and it terrifies me how true they are. I’ve only just foundhim. The possibility of losing him and my memories again makes me weak-kneed with fear.
Lyall smiles, and though it trembles, it gives me hope. “You won’t. I can be quite secretive.”
I snort. “Says the guy who turned into a big-ass wolf in the middle of a hospital room.”
Laughing, he brushes a kiss to my forehead. “Enough worrying, love. I believe you wanted to take me ice skating.”
I’d almost forgotten. In the face of everything Lyall shared with me, having fun is the last thing on my mind right now. Instead, I’d rather drag Lyall into my apartment and keep him there where he’s safe and hidden.
“Love.” Lyall captures my chin in his hand. “Take me skating. Please.”
I take his hand, holding on tight.
Every moment we have together feels more precious now than it did before. I don’t want to waste a second with Lyall. I never want to forget him again.
But will I even have a choice?
Chapter 17
Lyall
Despite the unsettling startto our outing, the rest of our day together was pure bliss. Soren showed me his favorite parts of the city, from Central Park to the Museum of Natural History. Our day concluded with a feast of burgers and French fries.
With our bellies comfortably full, I accompany Soren to his apartment. “Today was an adventure like no other. Thank you.”
He lights up when he smiles. “Think I’ve earned a kiss.”
I sigh heavily. “If I must.” We’ve kissed so many times today, and yet when it comes to Soren, I’ll always want more.
