Every survival instinct commanded I chase after him, but I stared at the panther sitting sadly by the melting door. “I’ll regret not being able to protect them for the rest of my life,” I choked, tears running down my cheeks as smoke stung and grief poured. “But...if you let me, I vow I’ll protect you for the rest of yours.”
Whisper bared his fangs.
I supposed that was his answer.
“I get it. I’ll see you then.” Giving him a strained smile, I swiped away my sadness and flung myself up the stairs.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
ROOK LAY CURLED AGAINST MY CHEST, her bare skin glittering with frost and dark hair spilling over my arm like silk. Flaming reds and pinks of the sunset poured through the circular window, painting us in fire where we lay naked in bed.
We’d spent another couple of days doing absolutely nothing apart from making love. Each time we shared energy and completed the circuit that ensured our hearts, minds, and souls were one, I felt delirious with bliss.
Who needed food or wine when a single kiss from her made me drunk?
With a cute little groan, she snuggled closer. “Promise me you’ll stay with me forever.” Pressing adoring little kisses along my collarbone, she whispered, “Stay with me like this...just the two of us. No one else. No stress or worries or pain. Forever.”
I gathered her in a vicious hug, kissing the top of her head. “Forever,” I promised.
For a moment, everything was perfect.
But those awful shadows crept closer, getting thicker and thicker, darker and darker.
I tried to ignore them like I always did, but they were getting worse. They’d gone from lurking in the corners to slithering along the floor and walls, slowly erasing Ashfall Cliff.
I no longer had the guts to leave this room because I had a horrible feeling that everything past the door was just...gone.
Sitting upright, Rook straddled me. Biting her bottom lip, shesmiled all sly and sexy. “You know...it’s been at least an hour since you were inside me.”
I let her fill my entire vision as the edges of the room kept rotting.
A panther’s howl echoed in my mind.
Along with the creak and crack of destruction.
My gaze flashed to the ceiling, bracing for falling debris, but...apart from the shadows everything was fine.
It’s fine.
See?
You’re going crazy.
You’re seeing things.
Everything is normal and wonderful and—
“Husband...” Rook rocked over me, making my eyes snap shut.
I fisted her hips, pressing her down and grinding her against me. “You know what that word does to me.”
“I know.” Tipping forward, she captured my mouth in a wickedly sensual kiss. “That’s why I use it but...” She nipped her way down my jaw before sinking her sharp teeth into my neck. “You still haven’t married me.”
Sitting upright again, she reached between us—
I grabbed her wrist and stopped her.
My heart fisted as the shadows gathered thicker behind her, framing her in morbid black.
