“It feels weird calling you Succubus, but if that’s what you prefer.”
I should just push her off.
As though she heard my thoughts, she giggles nervously.
I sigh, and I don’t know what compels me to say “Xeraphine” but I do, before I can think better of it.
Something like butterflies take flight in my chest as she smiles even wider, showing off her perfect teeth. “I like that... It’s nice to meet you, Xeraphine.”
The memoryof meeting my princess for the first time flashes before my eyes.
I couldn’t believe I hadn’t just pushed her from that bridge. I’d been in such a dark state of mind, and no one mattered more than myself. Yet, something about that smile she gave me and unapologetic kindness had me hoping.
Hoping I deserved it, even if I was a monster.
Sydni hadn’t changed me for anything but the better. I’ve never merited her, even now. Maybe it’s why I’ve not killed Niyla and Brice, and won’t. Selfishly, I want to think it’s because they will be a body to keep her and Kairhyse protected, but it’s not solely for that. I can tell how much that Werewolf means to her, and Niyla equally. They may be for two different purposes for her heart, but one I just can’t ignore.
She deserves to be happy…
Moving Mister back, I settle him between the crease of my legs, his body curling slightly as his paws dangle. He looks up at me with those unblinking eyes, a silent anchor amidst the chaos. His gaze holds a sense of calm I wish I could feel.
Scratching his belly, I sigh.
“We need to go…”
“We do,”he purrs.
“That ‘we’ should just be you and me.” He swipes his claws across the top of my hand, drawing blood. Why do cat scratches hurt so fucking much? “Ouch!” I pat a bit harder than a love tap on his nose. “What the shit?”
He hisses aggressively.“You aren’t the only one that has grown attached.”
“Just trying to save them… Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do? You know… protect the ones Iloveby removing the problem from the equation.”
“Your mother is the problem. Not you.”
Closing my eyes, I slowly fall into a dark pit in my mind. The weight of it presses down on me, it’s suffocating. I'm not scared for myself—I don’t fear my own end. No, what terrifies me is the thought of losing them. To lose them would mean losing everything I’ve ever wanted: happiness.
They make mesofucking happy.
I’ve never wanted to live more in my thirty years of life than I do inthis moment. The thought of eternity now seems like a blessing, more than a curse.
It also terrifies me that I could spend it alone.
Suddenly, a warm hand wraps around mine, and it pulls me out of my thoughts. Directing my gaze up, I watch Kai come to kneel in front of me. His tongue runs along the three cuts where Mister drew blood, before kissing it.
“Come on, little demon.” His opposite hand moves to graze my cheek and I breathe out a sigh.
Mister hops from my lap.“I’ll ride with Sydni.”
I ignore the fading sound of his paws and focus instead on Kai’s crimson eyes, staring so deeply it feels like he’s searching for the gates to my soul. What he doesn’t realize is that it’s already his. He owns it, just like he owns everything else.
In this life… and all the others.
“I’m ready.”
Chapter 50
Kairhyse
