Page 51 of Enchanting Her Monsters
“I’m so sorry,” he pleads.
I can’t stand to see him so torn up, so I drop to my knees to meet him where he is. “I don’t understand.”
“I’ve been such an ass?—”
“You haven’t been lately,” I interrupt. “And I know why you were before.”
“But I’m so fucking broken.”
“I’m not asking anything from you.” As I say the words, they feel like acid on my tongue and the pain of rejection stings my eyes. I want him more than I should.
“I curse the Fates,” he mutters and turns his head away. “But maybe this isn’t that…”
“Huh?” I lean over to catch his attention. I don’t understand his erratic emotions. “Can you explain?”
“It might be nothing. Or perhaps my flames aren’t the same since my death. Butifmy fire touched you and left you completely unscathed, it means we could be mates.”
“Told you,”Osen whispers in my mind.
“Not now,”I scold, then refocus on Calder. I’m unsure of what to say to make him feel better. I struggle with every response I come up with, since I don’t want to make his suffering worse. “I’m sorry.”
That snaps him out of his torment. “Why are you sorry?” he asks softly.
“I’m sorry it upsets you this much that you might be matched to me.”
His brow furrows. “It has nothing to do with it being you. Not like that. I wish I wasn’t broken, and I could be a mate you deserve. You’re everything I’d want in a woman.”
I smile gently. “I will accept whatever affectionate companionship you’re willing to offer. Even if it’s only friendship.” I glance down at our clasped hands. “If this is as far as you can take things with me, I understand.”
Calder’s glacial blue eyes pierce my soul and flame with heat. He lets go of my hand and grasps the back of my head and pulls me in for a bruising kiss.
I surrender to his passion and find I’m swept up in it. I return his kiss, swiping my tongue over his lush lips, and he draws it in to suck.
We are in a frenzy until we finally gasp for air.
He rests his forehead on mine and sighs. “Fucking hell.”
“Good fucking hell?” I ask, biting my lip and gazing at his handsome face.
“Fantastic.” He nuzzles my nose. “Jade, I don’t know how this is going to work. But I will try to manage my damage. I’ll do what I should have done for my other mate and failed.”
I know he’s speaking about Osen. My heart aches for them. I wish I could just write some better ending for them.
Then I wonder…
Maybe I can.
17
THE PAST
MAXUM
Ifeel Jade’s presence before I hear or see her. I fear our souls are already intertwining, even without a bonding mark.
She approaches cautiously, unconcerned about the woods or what creatures might hide in the brush.
No. She’s nervous about me.
