She stiffened. “I am not soft?—”
“It’s okay to be vulnerable with those who care about you, those who…love you.”
The red in her eyes dimmed a tiny fraction. “No one has ever loved me.”
“I will.” He let go of her hands and slid his fingers into her hair. “Come back to me, Xenia and let me love you.”
The red drained away and her body sagged. “Axton?”
“I’m here.”
She gave a small, contained sob. “I could have killed you.”
“Never. It wasn’t your fault.” He kissed her. At first her lips didn’t move, but then her arms wrapped around his neck and she kissed him back.
“The virus took over.” Her lips trembled. “I lost control of everything, was barely conscious of what was happening.”
“And now?” he asked.
“I have the virus contained.”
“Good. We’ll have the Security doctors take a look and remove it.”
The breath shuddered out of her. “It was the perfect trap. They wanted a CenSec to follow this little treasure hunt and fall prey to the virus so they could kill you.” She shook her head. “I should have seen it.”
“Hey.” He tipped her chin up. “I meant it, for all our enhancements, we’re still human. And being human means we sometimes make mistakes, and we aren’t perfect or infallible.”He sat up and pulled her onto his lap. He held her tight and never, never wanted to let go.
She looked at him, her eyes once again their beautiful cobalt blue. “That applies to you too, Axton.”
Axton stilled. “What?”
Xenia stared into that handsome face that had somehow become vital to her. “You need to admit that there was nothing you could have done to stop Dax and the Rahl during the coup. Your guilt is eating you alive. It’s time to let it go.”
“I’m the Prime?—”
She raised a brow. “Being human means we sometimes make mistakes, and we aren’t perfect or infallible. It sounded very wise, but I’m wondering if the man who told me that is an idiot after all.”
He gripped her chin, forcing her head back. “He’s got you in his arms, so he can’t be that idiotic.”
She wanted to see him get rid of the darkness riding him. “Let the guilt go,” she said. “It’s time to focus on the future.” She lifted a hand and traced her fingers down his cheek. “You once told me that sometimes we need someone. I understand now. Someone to hold us in the dark and lead us to the light.”
“I’m the Prime. I should have?—”
“There was nothing you could have done. It’s time to accept that, and move on.”
He released a shuddering breath.
“I’ll help you,” she murmured. “How ever long it takes.”
He cupped her jaw. “That means you stay with me. That you’re mine, Xenia.”
Feelings rushed through her—unfamiliar and frightening ones. “I want to fall in love with you, too.” She felt all the color drain from her face. Oh, had she really said that? That meant… “If we do this…that means I might become…” She couldn’t force the words out.
“Prime Consort.” Axton smiled. “Your cheeks just went white. Seems I’ve finally found something my tough CenSec is afraid of.”
“I hate parties. And I’m not…charming or diplomatic. I can’t make small talk.”
“I don’t give a fuck about small talk, Xenia.” He teased her lips with his, sipping at her mouth.
