“So, I won’t become one of them?”
“Not unless you allow it,” he murmured as henuzzled her temple with his lips. “The shadow kissed have to let uscorrupt them. As long as you don’t allow it, you’ll be fine.”
He could be lying to her and playing one ofthe dark fae games, but she didn’t think so. She wouldn’t foolherself into believing he was a kind, compassionate man, but hewasn’t a liar.
“Okay,” she said.
She stifled a yawn and her eyes closed. Shewas starting to doze when she recalled what happened earlier. Theyflew open again. She felt safe in his arms, but he was awakenow.
What would happen if he fell asleepagain?
That dose of cold reality smothered some ofher happiness, but she refused to let it ruin the joy she’ddiscovered in him. The rain ticked against the glass as it peltedthe windows.
He shifted to pull the blankets more securelyaround her. “You should sleep.”
“I’m okay,” she murmured as she stifled ayawn.
He clasped her hand and stilled it againsthis chest before kissing her head and her cheek. She warmed to thetender gesture and lifted her mouth to his.
When Brokk was better, he would leave, andshe might never see him again. Until then, she planned to enjoyevery second of what little time they had together.
She started to melt into him again when hepulled away and kissed the tip of her nose.
“Rest,” he commanded and tipped his head backto rest it against the headboard.
She tilted her head up to take in the vastexpanse of his chest and dark ciphers. She traced his markingsbefore her hand fell onto his stomach and her eyes closed again.Another clap of thunder caused them to fly open once more.
If he fell asleep and the thunder caused himto dream of the war again, what would happen?
CHAPTER 48
When her lashes fluttered open to tickle his chestagain, Cole realized what was keeping her awake… fear. He groundhis teeth together as self-hatred swelled within him. The lastthing he wanted was for her to be nervous around him, but hecouldn’t blame her for being wary.
“Go to sleep, Lexi. I’ll stay awake,” hepromised.
“I’m not that tired,” she murmured.
“Yes, you are. Get some rest, and I’ll keepwatch.”
“That’s not fair,” she protested.
“You’re safe with me, and I’m going to makesure you stay that way. Rest.”
He ran his fingers through her thick, silkenhair and let it cascade across his chest as he marveled at thedifferent shades of red within the striking color. When he glidedhis fingers down her back, he delighted in the small shiver itelicited from her.
“You have to rest too,” she said.
“I’m fine,” he said.
He let her hair fall, settled a hand on herass, and gave it a small squeeze. His cock stirred again, but hisconcern for her shoved aside his growing lust. She wasnotready for what he desired to do to her again.
•••
Lexi rested her hands on his chest and started torise. She hated leaving the security of his arms, but she couldn’tstay here if it meant he spent the rest of the night sitting up,awake, in the dark.
His bright blue eyes met hers as his handreturned to her hair. He brushed it away from her temple beforecupping her nape.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.
