“I’m mad at you, Briar. So fucking mad.” He places his head in his hands for a moment before standing. His large body towers over mine, and he grabs my hands. His touch sends lightning bolts through me.
“I’m sorry,” is all I can say, my voice soft and broken once more.
“Do you want to know why I’m mad at you?” His mouth is set in a stern line, and he forces my gaze back to his. “You haven’t asked once.”
“I don’t need to ask.”
He tilts his head. “I think you should.”
“Because I screamed at you. I made you leave when you were trying to help. I pushed you away and let my anger win.” Tears fall like rain down my face.
He cups my jaw harder, holding my gaze to his. “That’s not why I’m mad.”
Shock dances across my face, and I’m incredulous as I ask, “What?”
“What angers me more than anything about this evening is what you said to my mother.”
Shame floods me, remembering the declaration I made about Silas in front of the table, in front of his family and his commanders.
I clearly crossed a line.
“I shouldn’t have said that.”
I lower my head.
He lifts my chin with his knuckle, green eyes burning into my soul.
“No, you shouldn’t have.” Silas takes a deep breath before continuing. “I’m pissed because you said you loved me, and I didn’t have a chance to respond, Briar. I didn’t have a chance to tell you how I feel in return.”
I stare at him, not understanding what he means.
“I love you, Briar Blackbyrne. Darkness and all. Soul and all. You are mine, and I am yours for eternity, even after we reach the darkest realm.”
Silas’s strong hand moves to the back of my neck, and he tightens his grip, pulling me closer, demanding every ounce of my attention.
“I’m angry that, for even a moment, you didn’t know I felt the same. That you declared your love, and I wasn’t able to respond with mine."
My mouth slightly parts as he tilts my head toward his.
“You will never doubt my feelings for you again. My soul burns for you. My purpose is only you.”
I open my mouth to speak, but I pause, my brain slow to process his words.
“Do you even understand, my love? Do you understand what you do to me?” he asks, commanding an answer. “I will dedicate the rest of my life to ensuring you never have to say those words alone again.”
Chapter 11
Ican’t control my breathing or the tears streaming down my face.
“Don’t cry,” he whispers. “I never want to be the reason you cry.”
He wraps his arms around my body, pulling me in tight. I bury my head into his chest, my racing heart already starting to calm. His hand cups the back of my head, and he holds me tighter, allowing me a moment to catch my breath. Once I calm slightly, I pull my face back to look at him, my cheeks stained with tears.
“I’m still sorry I got so angry.” I tilt my chin to look into his eyes.
“Don’t apologize.” He presses a soft kiss on my lips. “I’m the one who should be sorry. Since arriving, I’ve been distracted. I’d forgotten our reasoning for being here, but that’s all going to change.”
I rise up on my toes and kiss him again, deeper this time. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and his hands travel slowly down my back, stopping when they reach my ass. He lifts me up, and my legs move to wrap tightly around his waist.
