Ask the question. Just do it. You know the damn answer, but ask anyway.
I cleared my throat. “So. . .the traitors’ families. . .these spouses and parents. . .were they innocent?”
“Most likely, but that’s not the point.”
Dear God.
My knees buckled. I slid down the wall, unable to hold myself up anymore, and Kenji moved fast.
"No." I held up my hand again, but he was already there, already reaching for me.
"Don't ever tell me no." His hands closed around my arms and he lifted me up and then steadied me against the wall. “I’m here, Tora.”
“The families were innocent?”
“Yes.” His thumb found the pulse point in my wrist. I hadn't even realized his other hand was holding my arm. His thumb pressed gently against my wrist.
Reading me.
Monitoring my heartbeat.
"Breathe, Tora."
I couldn't.
His touch was too gentle for what he'd just confessed. Too careful. Those same hands that had signed death warrants for innocent spouses were cradling my wrist like it was made of glass.
Plus, his body was close to mine.
His heat surrounded me, and I wanted to relish in it.
No.
I turned my face away from him.
The dragon-shadow responded, looming away from Kenji and getting in my view. It stretched its wings across the entire wall.
"Tora. . .look at me."
I didn't.
His hand caught my chin, firm but not cruel, and turned my face to his. His eyes burned into mine, dark, intense, yet utterly certain. "This is who I am, Tora."
No apology.
No softening.
Just truth, laid bare between us.
"This is who you're with. This is what it means to be mine." With his thumb, he began to trace my jaw. "You are now in an unfortunate position. Because I am never letting you go. You're too important to me. Too important to this family. You're helping me win this war. . .therefore. . ."
His grip tightened slightly on my jaw. "I will never let you go."
Those words should have terrified me.
Maybe they did.
But terror and desire were starting to taste the same in my mouth.
