I’m deciding whether to spit on him for being this close or knee him in the dick, when a fist slams into his cheek. He goes flying across the grass, and tumbling down a small hill. A firm grip pulls me against a solid chest.
“I swore I warned you before,Fallen,” Kairhyse hisses. “Do not fucking touch her.”
No more than a heartbeat passes before Alaric is stomping up the incline, his entire body glowing with a bright, nearly blinding light. His piercing blue eyes shoot daggers straight at Kairhyse.
“You are lucky,Vampire, that you are who you are.”
I try to step between them, but Kai keeps his grip tight on my arm. “Luck has nothing to do with this. She told you to not touch her, how difficult is that to not heed?”
A disgusted smile crawls across Alaric’s face. “I’m sure she’s told you not to touch her before, and look where that has got you two.”
He isn’t wrong.But deep down, I knew I wanted Kai to fight for me. From the beginning, I had every chance to truly kill the man holding me as if I need protection.
What Alaric doesn’t understand, is Iwantto kill him. If I had the abilityto do so, I wouldn’t hesitate—I’m not kind, or understanding. I don’t give a fuck about his revenge, or his feelings.
It’s simple… I justdon’tcare.
Placing my hand against Kairhyse’s chest, I push him away. I feel the fight in his grip, unwilling to let me go. He tears his gaze to mine, and I gently place my hand against his cheek before turning to the Fallen, who has since let the glow fade from around him.
“What do you think I want at the end of all of this, Alaric?”
He softens as he looks at me, rolling his shoulders back before answering. “Your life to be yours.”
My life… My freedom…
“Why don’t you just, you know, let it run out? Use the money for something better. Like, I don’t know, move to an apartment not in the slums. Buy a car… drive yourself around…”
Oh, Tyson…That was always what you wanted for me.
Kai told me the cold way they took him, and it will forever haunt me. But I do find some solace in knowing he’s with his family somewhere—at least I can hope their souls have found each other.
“My choice will always be me,” I answer, after silence hangs between us. “I deserve that. My… happiness… and if you think that is with anyone other than Kairhyse, then you will live a sad, immortal life.”
He doesn’t falter in his demeanor, indifferent to what I’ve said. “It is my hope you will be happy, but we both know in our world of eternal life, it’s hard to keep.”
Kairhyse will live forever with me. It is our eternity, or none. I refuse to believe otherwise.
“I don’t want to be with you, Xeraphine. Think about what I’ve said.” He flicks his gaze to the man hovering over me like a rabid dog ready to bite and tear apart the Fallen for even thinking about stepping in my direction. “But for now, we need to figure out a way to get rid of your mother. Let’s get to our destination, and rest for a period of time. I think we could all use it.”
With that, he moves past us and back toward the hotel.
My rough attempt at swallowing causes me to choke, and slap my hand over my mouth.
Don’t break down, it’s alright.You are… alright.
Kai’s hand slides up the back of my upper arm, pulling me to face him. His expression is devoid of sympathy or apology; instead, I see the patience and love he pours through his silence.
“It will never end…” My words are soft, because I don’t feel confident in wanting to know the truth.
He searches my eyes, which are beginning to blur with tears. I don’t want to cry, but it felt so freeing to do it with him in my dreams—like a heaviness was lifted from my chest, and for the first time in a long while, I could breathe without the weight of my struggles pulling me under.
“Maybe not.” His opposite hand comes to my cheek, pressing his thumb down just below my eye, which causes the tears I was suppressing to fall. “But I’ll be here through it with you, for our eternity and it’s after.”
“You better.” I release a shaky breath, and lean into his hand. “Can we get fast food? The pancakes were terrible.”
He hums and leans into me. “Ego… boosted. Yes, little demon, whatever you want.” His lips meet mine, and I do my best to forget everything except him.
Chapter 29
