“That’s what Bryson calls me.”
“A freak?”
“We can kill this Bryson.”
Yessss.
“Gods, Isadora, you were supposed to laugh, not half-shift in excitement.”
Isadora looked down at herself, and sure enough, her hind legs were trying to change over. Maybe she was a freak. Maybe she wasn’t.
But she let Daddy carry her to the house anyway.
“Your mother is waiting for you.”
Isadora groaned. “I’m in trouble.”
“Oh yes, little one. What’s worse, it’s Mommy who’s angry.”
Daddy laughed, and Isadora wanted to kick him. Mommy was by far the worst one to see angry. She didn’t get suckered with a couple of tears like the men did.
Thanks, Izzy. Thanks a lot!
And yep, her wolf didn’t respond and left Isadora completely in the driver’s seat.
Even that wolf was afraid of Mommy’s wrath.
Chapter Thirteen
“We do not have time for this,” Asherah argued. Heath was not listening. Did not seem to understand. “The blood runes keep me locked inside. We have to figure out how to get me past them.”
“I can, and you’re going to let me,” Heath grumbled, stepping right up to her. When she moved back, he palmed her cheek, holding her in place. “Don’t let Skuld win,” he whispered, lowering his head. “I’m going to be there when you wake up. I’m going to be the first face you see, and this is just a promise right now. You’ve fought so hard. Let me carry you for a while.”
No, it felt like a goodbye. A moment to take in case they did not survive what was coming. Heath wanted to give them both something to hold on to. She could sense the desperation on the air.
But he ignored her pleas.
“I can leave. I do not want to feel this is the last time.”
“I’m never going to fucking leave you alone, Asherah. Believe in that.”
But how could she? What reason, what relationship could they hope to have? It was stupid to be this afraid, but Heath made her want things, impossible hopes for a future she did not even know she was worthy of. She was afraid of how he made her feel, the love blossoming in her heart.
“I’m here, Asherah. Don’t lose faith when we’re so close.”
It was because he was so close. What if he died? She would not be able to live with herself.
But Heath took the thoughts away from her. His warm breath caressed her cheeks, his fingers like brands against her skin, and then he pressed his lips to hers and she stopped thinking about the reasons they should not do this.
The fear that someone would fail her once more.
He tasted like her salvation, like male and silk sheets. He was better than she could have ever hoped. It was a reminder this male was part of her, the other half of her soul. He was made to be hers.
Heath’s lips slid across hers softly for a moment before he opened his mouth, tilted his head, and exhaled as he deepened the kiss. She’d never thought of air as sexy, but Heath’s breath was. It was hot against her tongue as it swirled down her throat and filled her lungs.
Ash was breathing Heath.
As her eyes closed, she could smell the musky fire-laced shadow of his hair. This was Heath. Her Heath. Promising things she could only dream of. She could not stop it now. Her hungry body had been craving his touch.
