Kaden.
Only it was Kaden unlike I’d ever sensed him. Raw and utterly exposed.
I could feel his terror, pulsing as if I held his beating heart in my hands. I felt his shame and fury and an ache so intense that it brought tears to my eyes.
Kadenachedfor me. Burned for me so fiercely that it stole the breath from my lungs. It wasn’t lust or obsession but something raw and pure. A soul-deep tenderness and acceptance so intense that it nearly brought me to my knees.
For several heartbeats, I just stood there, cradling the feeling even though it hurt.
And then I was blinded by a golden light that chased away the shadows.
For one dazzling moment, Kaden let me see everything that he was. I saw his anguish, his fear, his selfishness and brutality, but also his bravery, love, and determination.
Flashes of memories danced around us. A younger version of Kaden, kneeling at his father’s feet. Kaden as a boy running through the undergrowth, chased by a youngling with long copper hair. Kaden tangled with me on the forest floor, a soft smile playing on his lips.
I saw a delicate silver diadem encrusted with sapphires clutched in a pair of familiar hands.
I saw the dazzling Quartz Palace and a vision of Kaden seated on a glittering throne.
I saw myself through Kaden’s eyes, seated in his lap, my head thrown back in laughter.
That brilliant golden light illuminated everything, his hopes and dreams and fears. Even the blackened sire bond.
Slowly, I withdrew from his mind, feeling an affectionate tug on our bond as Kaden let me go.
I came back to the moonlit clearing, cradling his face in my hands. His skin was slick with sweat, and he trembled beneath my touch.
When I pulled back, I was relieved to find that his eyes were once again that stormy gray, though there was a hunger in them that made my knees wobble.
I sucked in a breath, and something between us seemed to shatter as Kaden crushed his mouth to mine.
Chapter
Twenty-Five
LYRA
His kiss was searing. All-consuming.
My knees buckled at the intensity of it, but Kaden’s arm swooped around my waist, smashing me against his chest as he parted my lips with his tongue. He tasted like smoke and mint and crisp mountain nights, and I opened for him with a gasp.
Strong, calloused fingers threaded through my hair, and I nearly wept with elation when I realized that Kaden was utterly himself.
Gone was the shroud of darkness that had cloaked him for days. His magic was playful as it danced over my skin, and our bond pulsed stronger.
He kissed me with abandon, hands roving over my cheeks as if trying to reassure himself that I was real. One hand came to rest along my hip as the other cupped my breast, squeezing gently as he continued to ravage my mouth.
Mine.
The declaration rumbled down our bond, along with asurge of male need so intense that it turned my body boneless. Liquid desire pooled between my legs, and I allowed my own hands to wander as I nipped at his bottom lip.
Kaden answered with a low growl, pressing me against him so I could feel his arousal.
I shivered.
The male was hard everywhere I was soft, and I couldn’t resist touching him. My palms skimmed down his broad chest, over the ridges of his abs, and down to where his erection was straining against his leathers.
I wanted him —neededhim so badly that I thought I might combust if I didn’t strip off these damned clothes and slide onto his hard length.
