Archan pushes his nose into the crux of my shoulder and runs it up the side of my throat. “Jed altered the wards. I told you there is nowhere I can’t find you.”
I hunch my shoulders, pushing his head back. “Don’t touch me.” He grips my hips tighter and pulls me back into him. I glance around for a weapon, anything to make him get off me. “I hate you right now. You are here to give me your bullshit excuses and to tell me we will get him back. I’ve heard it already.” I brace my hands on the edge of the worktop and shove my ass back. “I will not be manipulated into leaving Duncan to rot.”
Archan hisses, and steps back as I spin around to face him. I attempt to drag my power to me. I might collapse the cave on top of us, but at least I would be free from this gnawing pain in my gut. “Something’s wrong,” I utter as a breeze filters around us, the tornado I’d expected coming up short. “What’s wrong with me?”
He runs a hand through his hair. “Nothing that can’t be fixed.”
I glare at him as his golden eyes harden. “You did this to me? You made me powerless in the middle of a war?”
He steps towards me and crowds me against the worktop, then lands a hot hard kiss on my mouth. I bite his bottom lip and he reels back, swiping the blood with his thumb. His eyes flare with a possessive gleam that most women would sink into. Women that weren’t so angry they could level worlds with their rage. A smirk tilts his lips. Goddesses should have laser eyes. Maybe Kay has a suggestion box?
“You keep running from me, believing you are exempt from consequences. Listen up, Natia, and take notes. You might be this big badass goddess, but whilst your species has changed, one fact remains the same. You. Are. Mine.”
He drops his head onto my shoulder and wraps his arms around me. My chest rises and falls, pushing against his. He mumbles something in my ear, too quiet for me to make out.
“What?”
He leans back. “I’m sorry,” he whispers. Then mutters something else in a forgein language.
I frown. “What are you doing?”
His hands come up and grip my face, forcing my eyes to his. Night skies peer back at me as he calls upon his power. I tremble as the magic pours from his mind into mine. It seeks the weakened cracks and invades my thoughts, feelings, and memories. It examines every inch of me. It sifts through my memories, discarding those not important and shredding those it needs. Tears slip from my eyes as I try to push him out. “Stop,” I whisper as my lips tremble.
He shakes his head and kisses my forehead. I close my eyes as a heavy darkness tugs me under. “When you wake, this pain will be something you can bear. Your fight will return, and with it, your resolve to save the world. I only hope you can forgive me.”
21
Chapter Twenty One
Archan
I will protect you from your demons, even if you don’t recognize them.
Shame and guilt are for the weak. I’ve done what was needed, and I am prepared for the consequences. I watch her sleep on Lucifer’s bed, tossing and turning as the magic takes hold and adjusts her mind.
“I don’t envy you when she figures out what you’ve done, brother,” Lucifer drawls from his arm-chair opposite me.
I cut my gaze to his. “She will understand, because in the end we will have beaten the monsters and returned her friend.”
“He won’t be the same.”
“Duncan is strong enough to withstand Hell, don’t underestimate him.”
“Don’t underestimate her,” Lucifer says, tilting his head towards Natia. “She will have your balls for what you have done.”
“If it gets us to the finish line, it will have been worth it.”
Jed bursts through the door. “How long until she’s up?” he asks.
I tilt my head. “Soon. Duncan was intrinsically woven into her mind. So many memories will take time to unpick and replace. Have you informed Zee?”
Jed grimaces. “Yeah.”
“And the curse?” I check.
Jed shakes his head. “Nathan is waiting to hear from an expert, but he isn’t hopeful.”
Natia groans and rolls over to face me. She blinks her eyes open and runs a hand through her hair.
