“Shae—”
At his refusal, she hurriedly pushed on. “How will you know what will happen if you don’t try? With us being soul-joined, surely you’d sense if I wasdying?”
“No.” Steel edged his quiet voice. “When I’m in the throes of bloodlust, I lose cognizance. I am aware of nothing except feeding the hunger that never ends. You’d never survive me, and I refuse to take that chance. I won’t loseyou.”
Her gaze dropped, dejection settling over her like a thick blackcloud.
He drew her into his arms. “I’ll find anotherway.”
Another way? He meant someone else. Anotherimmortalwoman.
Pain flowed, and she buried her face against his neck.She would always have to share him with someone. At the thought, her stomach hurt so much, and she had no idea what to do. She looked over his shoulder, her gaze settling on the scarred table they rested against. Images from last night broke free.Jesus!Despite knowing that none of this was his fault, she pushed away from him, needing distance so she could breatheagain.
“Shae?”
She simply shook her head. “I-I have to go. I haven’t eatenyet.”
“Dammit, Shae—” He grasped her arm when she would have walked away. “Don’t lie to me. I feel you inside here”—he slapped his chest—“and sense your pain. Tell me what’swrong?”
She cast him a distressed look. “I hate that I’ve seen you with her, and even though I understand why, but every time I look at your table…” She pressed her lip together, trying to stop them fromtrembling.
Instantly, Dagan straightened. The next second, the wooden sculptures and tools clattered to the floor, the table compacted into itself and rained down in a shower of splinters. Her shocked gaze rushed to his grim ones. “I won’t have you hurting. And that damn thing was upsettingyou.”
With a wave of his hand, the shards of wood rose and landed in the small fireplace. He struck a match on the granite surface and tossed it on the wood. Seconds later, fire crackled and roared to life, brightening the room. A hand resting on the mantel, he stood there, staring into the leapingflames.
Shae hurried across and slid her arms around his waist. Yes, her family and Harvey cared about her. But, Dagan, no matter their unorthodox meeting, he made everything right,better.
“Shae….” His lips brushed her brow in a soft kiss. “I’ve lived millennia. And after what I became, I never thought I would ever find my mate, let alone be happy. Then you stumbled into my path”— a smile—“greeted me with a punch that made mereel.”
She leaned back as far as his arms would allow, wrinkling her nose. “Yes, well, I was pissed atyou.”
“I know.” His gaze softened. “I never expected you, and now that you’re here, I will remind you often that you and I were meant tobe.”
