“Good. He’ll help you control it, harness it. It could also keep you alive should something happen.”
She swallows, licking her red lips. “You won’t tell Zelos?”
“Kitten.” I sigh, shaking my head. What will it take for this woman to believe me when I tell her, I only want her?
“Why would I wish you harm, use you when you hold the most important piece of me in your hands?” I press our bodies intimately close, enjoying how her curves bend for me. “You are my heart outside my body, the other half to my soul.” Lips gaze hers, wishing for more. But I wait—she needs to hear this.
She has to understand how important she is to me.
“I’m in love with you, Max.” She inhales sharply but I push forward. “Since the moment I followed you up that ledge, when you almost fell to your death to save some mindless lord, when all I could think of was staying alive to keep you safe.” I scoff, mockingly glaring at her. “I almost died for one of your naïve quests of compassion and yet, I fought to remain myself to keep the Fury from you. It took everything in me not to cut any of those Humans who thought to disrespect you. Even now, watching my fellow Fae look at you? Fuck me, Max.” I breathe hoarsely. “I will happily murder anyonewho so much as twitches in your presence. Cut their fingers off before shoving them down their throats, pluck their eyes for daring to partake in your beauty.”
She’s stopped breathing, transfixed. My words have captivated her.
“You don’t really mean that?—”
I drop to one knee, head resting against her stomach. I’m at her mercy like this and I don’t care.
“I will vow on my death, that you are the only person who owns me, completely. You control my heart, the very air in my lungs. I cannotbreathewithout you.”
Her trembling hand falls to my locks, fingers raking through them softly.
“That’s why you get so mad when I don’t acknowledge you.”
I don’t like how transparent I’ve been, but it’s not important now.
“You are my air, Max. Without you, I suffocate.”
Glancing up, I watch her lips lift at that, a charming blush staining her cheeks. I have half a mind to spill my feelings to her every night if I get the same reaction. She’s breathtaking, ethereal in only the way she can be.
“I said you would be safe here, and I will do everything in my power to make that happen. I will not let Zelos have you, I will not abandon you. I just need you to trust me—choose me once more.”
More should be said. To confront the demons of our past, of the brittle trust that was forged weeks after kidnapping her. Of the claiming I laid on her without her consent.
But I cannot break this spell.
Standing, I cup her face, holding her still.
“Do you trust me?”
She stalls, eyes bouncing back and forth, judging my truthfulness. I hold no grudge. I know what I’m asking and what it takes for her to give it.
Finally, after a length, she nods once. “I do.”
I exhale, a harsh breath that stirs her hair. My heart surges with happiness and awe.
“Say it again,” she demands, eyes bright. “Tell me you love me again.”
I don’t hesitate. “I love you more than there are stars inAzure’srealm, kitten.”
Smiling, she pulls me close as I crush my lips to hers. Greedily, I take from her, consuming what she will allow. She tastes like spice and wine, of home and danger. Of blessed love and damnation. It’s everything I’ve needed and everything I’ve craved for centuries.
She shoves me against the far wall, my back slamming as she braces her hands on my chest. I smile, pleased with her aggression. Nipping at her lips, I tangle my tongue with hers and drink down her essence. I want to devour every last part of her, taste every spot on her body.
My erection throbs painfully and her hand lowers, dragging one nail over the tip. I can’t help the dark growl, fisting her hair in my hand. She purrs delighted with my touch and I grab her wrist.
“If you start something here, be prepared for onlookers.” It’s a challenge and she smiles coyly.
“No, this is for me.” She pecks at my lips, a chaste kiss that turns my insides soft.I’m such a weak Fae.
