Chapter 48
Lean will hear the ticking clock inside my head. It sounds like a death toll.
That word shouldn’t be real. Not between me and Eden Ned here. Not now
But it is and can’t deen feeling the bond. It’s as it a physical thread has been sewn through my chest, tugging right so that not touching her is becoming painful. My emotions are all over the place. Like thit, I haven’t felt anything this raw since the day I lost my brother to my sister Mara and the Nightmare
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I sit up slowly, chest rising and talling as if I’ve run miles. My wings curl protectively behind me. Eden lies still, watching me in the muted light. Her breath shallow but her pare steady.
I shake my head. “This isn’t right.”
Eden’s eyebrows draw together. “Because I’m a fox?”
“No.”
No,” I rasp, standing and fanning out my wings since I’m upset and they are responding “Because my sister–Mara–will not spare you even now. She will make things worse by sensing the bond and realizing she can get things out of me by making your death slow and painful.”
Eden sits up. “How will she make it slow and painful?”
my sister. I can’t
Hace her half wild now. “By gutting you in front of me. By binding you in the Nightmare Court and making me choose between you and my
“My voice breaks, and I hate how weak I sound. “I can’t protect you from her. She is the queen and able to control minds.”
Eden stands
Barefoot Bare–faced. Brave.
She walks toward me like I’m not dangerous. Like I’m not breaking inside this room.
“Ariel,” she says softly. Her hand is coming for my face, but she is so short that I have to bend down a little to even feel her hand. My heart breaks at that.
My little Eden
All mine, and i can never have her
Pain slices through me, but Eden notices and takes care of it. Cute little mate hushes me and strokes that gentle hand of hers over my asking you to protect me from everything. I’m not made of glass. I’m not a weakness.”
“I never said
ycheek. I’m not
“No, Azriel. You don’t have to!” she whispers determinedly, close enough that I can smell her skin. It still has that cotton candy tone even though she? been locked up.
A possessive, needy sound leaves my lips. Eden‘ eyes widen, and her hand falls from my face. She must remember that I told her I’m hungry for her ton But there’s no fear in her eyes, it’s lust. Her hand brushes my bare chest, the area right above my racing heart.
Everything in me stills like prey caught in a trap. So gentle with me even though Pm a monster. I’m not used to my heart feeling like this. I’ve lived a dull life for so long that caring about another person is alien to me.
Eden looks–up, unblinking. “Stop thinking for just a moment. Just leel this. Feel us and what we could be.”
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Chapter 48
In sharply, allowing myself to focus on her touch. It makes the mate bond happy. It burns brighter, that red thread now hot to the touch. It cells fler smoke around my ribs and tightens possessive, unrelenting.
Flower my head toward hers.
“Eden” Imurmur, voice hoare.
She leans in
We meet in the middle.
The kiss is soft at first hesitant, like learning to get to know her all over again. But then I taste her tongue and everything fractures. My hands slide into her red, messy hair, gripping tight. Her fingers dig into my chest, and I growl into her mouth, hungry for more
She gasps
And then we’re colliding–lips, breath, skin. I walk her backward until she’s pressed against the wall, caught by my large body and my wings.
She likes that
The kiss turns sharp and desperate like it’s the last one we’ll ever have Her body arches into mine. My wings knock things over, but I don’t care. I still don’t let go.
Not yet.
Not ever.
1 Eden off her feet, and the wraps her legs around my waist, her soft curves pressing against me. The mate bond sings between us, a relentless pull that makes my control slip further with each passing second
“Azriel,” she breathes against my mouth i smile, and her fingers tangle in my dark hair. “rou’re so gorgeous”
I
“You’re the one who is gorgeous,” I whisper back
She smiles.
I carry her to the bed, laying her down with a gentleness that surprises even me. My wings spread wide above us, creating a dark canopy that shields us from the world outside From Mara. From everything that isn’t INs momart
I hover over Eden, drinking in the sight of har–flushed cheeks, swollen lips, mismatched eyes darkened with desire. She reaches for me, pulling me
down to her.
“Are you sure?” I whisper against her throat, where her pulse hammers wildly “Do you really want me?”
There’s amusement in my voice because I know she does. Not even mind reading is needed for that. Eden is wet for me and breathes, “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my entire life.”
Her hands explore my naked chest, tracing the contours of muscle with wonder. I shudder under her touch, restraint fraying at the edges. When the reaches for the waistband of my boxers, I catch her wrist.
“Slowly,” I murmur. “I want to savor you.”
I kiss her deeply, trail my lips down her neck, savor the way she arches against me. My mate is perfect, so heartbreakingly perfect and intend on making her feel good. It’s the least I can do before Mara finds out
So every little piece of clothing is removed so I can see my Eden. She is dirty from the prison cell, yes, but not any less beautiful to me. Me and my cock
She pouts from the bed. I have her captured between my thighs, and I’m looking down at her with my wings folded behind my back
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Chapter 48
want you to get naked too,” she mutters.
Amusement makes me chuckle before I place my hands on my hips, ready to remove my boxers. “Promise not to scream when you see what’s hiding
under these?” tease.
“I promise,” she whispers, but her voice wavers adorably.
I smile wickedly, enjoying the way she watches my hands as I pull down my boxers…
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