“You won’t win this challenge without energy, which must come from me. Besides, I disagree. Our feelings mean everything. And I want you to know that.” Sabelle shakes her head, golden strands catching the afternoon rays and shining as if they are pure sunlight themselves. Then she grabs my hands. “As I become a part of you, you become a part of me.”
Yes!
No!
I close my eyes as her words wash over me. I love them, love her. I’m desperate to soak in her willing acceptance. Her voice embracing these sweet words gives my soul succor, my tomorrow hope. But I cannot allow her to seal her fate.
“I will be honest, good, and true. I heed your call. ‘Tis you I seek?—”
“Stop,” I choke out, forcing myself to refuse the words I’m desperate to hear. Silencing her is killing me.
Sabelle continues as if she didn’t hear me. “From this moment on?—”
“Not another word!”
Tears and determination shimmer in her blue eyes. “There is no other for me?—”
“Stop!” I force myself to dig the word from the bottom of my soul. “Please, princess. No more.”
I ache to have Sabelle as my mate. Being forced to put her off again is beyond excruciating.
Her tears fall. “You don’t want me to finish the Binding?”
I grab her shoulders, willing her to understand that I’m hanging on to my self-control by a thread. “I’ll always want you, princess. Always. But your brother?—”
“I’ve already told Bram that I don’t care if he disclaims me. I intend to be your mate.”
Chapter
Forty
I close my eyes. What have I done to deserve this amazing, loyal woman?
“I’m honored, more than you know. But I vowed to your brother that I wouldn’t take you as my mate unless I won this challenge. I can’t break my word.” Even though every fiber of my being screams to claim her, to make her mine before I lose the chance forever. “Politically, we cannot tip our hand and give the rest of the Council any reason—real or imagined—to nullify this challenge. They’ve only allowed it because they believe me to be Bram’s enemy, not a vote in his back pocket. Until I’m on the Council, we cannot upset that delicate balance.”
“I don’t think they can stop the challenge now.”
“Do you know that for a fact?” I arch a brow at her. “Besides, I’m also concerned for your safety. I won’t put you in more danger. Mathias already knows I’ve Called to you, so he’s already threatened you. But if you Bind to me and become my mate now, he’ll only relish hurting you that much more.”
“But we’re stronger together.”
My grip tightens on her shoulders, and I can’t deny how tempted I am to let her finish the Binding, then tumble her under me, fusing our bond together forever. “I have enough fight for us both.”
The stubborn lift of her chin is all the warning I get. “From this moment on, there is no other for me but?—”
I can only think of one way to stop her: with my kiss. Pain jars my heart, even as the feel of her mouth beneath mine thunders through my body. I fist her hair and clutch her tightly, pulling her flush against me, dying to merge with her and share the cacophony of feelings clashing inside me.
Sabelle fights to tear her lips from mine to finish the Binding. My beautiful princess, so willing to fight for the cause and sacrifice for me. I can’t allow that. Instead, I dive deeper into her mouth, leaving no part untouched. As always, she tastes of heaven and makes me crave sin.
Slowly, she loses herself in the kiss. Even this increases my energy. It filters through me, winds down to my arms and legs, makes my heart pump wildly. It will be enough. It must be. After all, I know how to defeat Mathias now—for good. All I need is another opportunity, a minor distraction…and this bit of energy. No need to rush Sabelle out of her clothes and onto her back. I won’t risk hurting her or treating her like a convenient tumble.
Sabelle takes the decision from me when she unfastens my trousers and pushes them down my hips.
I tear my mouth away. “There’s no need–”
“I need!” Tears shimmer on her lashes. “I won’t endure watching you face Mathias in a mortal challenge, knowing you lack proper energy when I could give it to you. It’s all I can do to remain in my seat and wait helplessly for the challenge to end. This is something I want to do. Must do. Please…”
How am I to refuse that, especially when I want her so desperately? “We have only a few minutes.”
