Her fear is more than justified, but if it weren’t for the immediate danger looming over our heads, I wouldn’t let her walk to the bathroom alone, let alone live in the middle of nowhere with our son.
I kiss the tears off her face, and Nevaeh quickly wipes her cheek on my shirt, erasing my kisses, but it’s pointless because I keep adding more.
Judging by the twitch at the corner of her lips, I know my cheeky girl is doing it on purpose. She loves attention… and kisses.
When her tears finally slow, I press a kiss to her forehead, then lift her onto the counter. My palms smooth over her thighs as I step between her legs and draw her closer.
As my thumbs massage her hips, all I can think of is how light she feels. I’ll have to bring her back to her old strength, fatten her up a little.
Nevaeh toys with the collar of my shirt, her fingers brushing my neck, making it nearly impossible to stay focused.
“As much as I wanted to show the world what happens when someone hurts my mate, we needed more than revenge. I promise no one walked away unscathed. But I had to make sure every last traitor was dealt with before they did more harm to my family…to my mate.”
Her gaze drops, cheeks heating, but the hurt in her eyes doesn’t fade.
I cup her face, kiss her forehead, her nose, then trail kisses across her cheeks until my beautiful girl is giggling and trying to pry her face from my greedy lips.
I’ve fought battles against the world and against myself to stand where I am, and ironically, the onlyperson I’d ever kneel for is the one who makes me feel untouchable. Nevaeh could ask for my last breath, and I wouldn’t think twice.
Without her, I’m nothing. A planet discarded from its galaxy. A star burning out, collapsing on itself. A rock floating in space without direction.
Her mere presence keeps me breathing. She makes life worth living.
I hold her face, tilting her to look up at me. “It was never your fault, sweetheart. I wasn’t protecting my people from you. I was protectingyoufromus. We failed you.”
Her eyes brim with new tears, and she ducks her head.
I slide my finger under her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. “I’m truly sorry and deeply ashamed of every word I threw at you that day. I hate myself for hurting you.”
I wipe under her eye, my thumb brushing away the evidence of all the hurt I’ve caused. “I don’t expect you to forgive now, but I’m not leaving this realm without you, Nevaeh. Hopefully, you’ll agree to give me a chance to earn my forgiveness. I’ll happily wait for the rest of my life—”
Her lips crash into mine before I can finish. Her arms loop around my neck, fingers knotting my hair like she’s afraid I’ll back out.
I freeze for a second before the surprise burns away, and I kiss her back with everything I have. I press us close, erasing the space between us and pouring every ounce of love that’s been choking me without her into the kiss.
When she pulls back, I chase her lips, desperate not to lose the connection. I need her more than I need air. Her laugh bubbles into the kiss, and it feels like sunlight breaking through after months of rain.
“I thought you hated me,” she whispers, her fingers still tangled in my hair.
Instead of using words, I claim her bottom lip and kiss her doubts away. “Still think I hate you?”
She shakes her head. “No. But you’re not forgiven yet. I have terms, Angel.”
Her cheeky smile makes my heart ache with relief.
It nearly broke me when she called me ‘Anxo’ and ‘Horsemen Conquer’. I almost screamedMission abortlike five times. I was ready to throw the plan away.
“Accepted,” I say instantly.
It’s funny she thinks I won’t give her anything she asks. My mate just needs to call me her Angel, and I’ll give her the world.
Her chuckle is music to my ears. I don’t care if I sound pathetic. I need this woman like I need air. She’s my happiness, my lifeline. Death would be easier than a life without her.
“You have to hear them first, Angel.”
“I’ll do anything to keep you safe and happy by my side, sweetheart. Everything I have is yours.”
For weeks, I convinced myself that Nevaeh was never going to look at me with those soft eyes again. Now, the way she smiles at me blurs my vision. I bury my face in her neck and wipe my eyes on her shoulder.
