“Isn’t it, though? From the beginning it’s been my responsibility to stop what’s happening. Nereus made it perfectly clear that this is my fate and no one else’s.”
“We will get through this and come out stronger on the other side.” Jayden stands, lifting me cradled in his arms. “Let me take care of you.”
I lay my head on his shoulder, breathing in the scent of pine and ozone that is Jayden. His arms tighten around me as he sits back on the bed, refusing to let me go. Soft warm lips press to my forehead and a burning tear streaks his cheek.
“I can’t do this without you, love. Don’t you see how it will destroy us all if you give in to the queen’s demands?”
“The weight is so heavy, Jayden, and it’s simply my burden to bear. It’s my failure if we lose anyone. Hermes thinks he’s literally being erased. What happens to the world if he’s gone?”
“We’re not going to let that happen, love. We will do what we always do. We will fight, together. Always and forever.” Jayden presses his lips to my head again.
Jayden’s hands tighten on my waist as he finds the hem of my shirt and inches his hands up under the thin material. The skin-to-skin contact sends an electric thrill through my nerve endings and my back arches as he moves them higher.
“Jayden,” I whimper.
“Shhh, I’ve got you, love.” He slowly pulls my shirt over my head and tosses it to the floor.
Jayden presses his lips to my shoulder and trails up my neck. Nothing is settled and the weight is more crushing than ever, but in this moment, I just want oblivion with my mate and to forget the impending doom.
