“My hold is slipping,Satrine,don’t let me go.”
“Your hold on what?”
“On anything that is good in this world.”
He heard her pained gasp and felt her light touch at hisabdomen.
“Loren.”
“Darling, I don’t seek your company because I don’t want youconsumed by the darkness.”
“Yourdarkness?”
“Indeed.”
“You aren’t dark, honey.”
“You will never know, because I will never tell you theshadows that live in me.”
She lifted a hand to his jaw and moaned, “Baby.”
He dropped his forehead to hers but did not lose his hold onher eyes.
And for the first time in his life, he begged.
“Don’t let me go.”
“You are good, Loren.”
He shook his head, not breaking their contact.
“How can you not see how wonderful you are?”she asked.
“I would like to say that this is the reason why I want you.That you make me believe that, even if it isn’t true.And perhaps, in part, itis.Mostly you, and your mother, and even Maxine remind me why I did the thingsI did.You also remind me strength can be both bold and gentle.You remind methat there are lights that do not dim.And I need that.”
“Then you shall have it.”
By the bloody gods.
He closed his eyes and dropped his forehead to her shoulder.
She wrapped both hands around the sides of his neck.
“I also hope part of it is that you want to ravishme…eventually,” she jested.
He drew in breath and lifted his head to catch her eyes.
“Absolutely,” he replied.
Her smile was tremulous, but it was there, and so was she.
She was also no longer trying to leave.
Which was the only reason Loren allowed himself to relax.
“Can you promise me not to dash about town, exacting justicewith your flesh and blood, until, at least, that cut begins to heal?”sheasked.
“I will make you that promise if you promise in return notto leave me.”
