“You’re going to shine so bright, they’ll see you inallthe realms. Your light will outshine the sun, and I’ll ensure it happens.”
The single tear sliding free was a dagger to his heart. He had to get away from her because if he didn’t part from her now, he never would. He’d vowed never to hurt her, and he was tearing out her heart.
“This isourchance to save countless lives, including those we love. We can’t turn away from that,” he said.
She closed her eyes, and when another tear fell free, Cole kissed the two trails from her cheeks. “I’ll love you forever and always; you’re my heart and my reason for being. I’ll always be with you.”
With that, he kissed her lips and released her. Turning away, he walked to the edge of the ledge they stood on. Below him, Dragonia remained quiet and shrouded in darkness.
He’d come here prepared to die if necessary, but he hadn’t anticipated possibly losing himself while here. It was a terrifying prospect.
Before Lexi, he was always so controlled and restrained in his emotions. She changed that when, as his mate, she drew out his more irrational, lycan side, but he’d still maintained the core part of who he was.
After this, he might not be able to do so.
You can come back from this.
He kept that thought firmly in mind as his heart and soul screamed denials at him. He’d vowed to protect Lexi always and still would after this, but he wouldn’t emerge the same man.
The shadows already slithered and whispered insidious things to him. If he welcomed more into him, they wouldn’t let go again. They would tear him apart and mold him into whatevertheychose him to be.
And he had no idea what that would be.
If it wasn’t for the fact they werealsodetermined to keep Lexi safe, and he knew they wouldn’t harm her, he would walk away. But no matter what happened, he was certain the shadows would do everything they could to ensure she survived. And because of that, he would do this.
“You’re not really going to do this,” Orin snapped. “Have you lost your mind? We won’t let this happen!”
Cole turned to look at his brother over his shoulder. “Yes, you will.”
“Cole—”
“You can’t stop this, Orin. This is the only way to defeat the Lord, and you know it.”
“I don’t give a shit.”
“You turned against Father to fight the Lord, yet you’ll try to stop this?”
A vein in Orin’s forehead throbbed. “You’re sacrificing yourself.”
“Forallof you. It’s shocking, right?” Cole teased though he wasn’t at all amused. “Whoever would have thought it ofme, a dark fae?”
He flicked a pointed glance at Sahira, who winced and bowed her head.
“I would have,” Lexi whispered.
“Me too,” Del said as he rested a hand on his daughter’s shoulder.
“So would I,” Maverick said.
“And me,” Kaylia said. “Once I got to know you, of course.”
“Me too,” Sahira whispered.
“I always knew,” Niall said, and Skog grunted.
Cole smiled as he shifted his attention to Orin; maybe they did always know, but he never did, and he suspected a couple of them were lying. That was okay; sometimes, the truth wasn’t necessary.
“I love you too, little brother,” he said to Orin.
