Page 188 of Echoes of the Banshee

I had to stop. I had to ask. I couldn’t let her move forward unless I knew this was what she wanted.

“Are you sure?” I struggle to keep the tremor from my voice.

“I can’t fight this anymore. I want you.” And then she shoves me onto the bed and climbs on top of me. As I enter her, everything clicks into place. She was made for me, and I was made for her. As the waves of pleasure hit, everything else fades.

I lose myself in her. Every touch, every movement, pulling me deeper into her world. I try to restrain, to let her take what she needs, but when she says my name, that last ounce of control snapped and I took control. I needed her. And she needed me too.

I flipped us over, claiming her lips once more, unable to stop. It’s everything I’d ever imagined and more. Like puzzle pieces, we align without even trying. There’s no fumbling or awkwardness to it, we match each other. We climb higher together, until we’re in the clouds.

When I came, it wasn’t just a release. It was something primal and unstoppable. The force of it left me exposed and undone. Her name escaped me in a guttural cry, and in that moment, I knew nothing could ever be the same again.

Then everything changed.

She went from the top of the mountain to a valley of despair before my body had even stopped trembling. Her breathing went from moaning breaths to sobbing cries. Her body curled inward, as if she was trying to hide.

No! No no no!

“Thea,” I whisper, the word catching in my throat. What have I done? I got lost in my own desires and pushed her too far. Oh god, what have I done? I should have stopped her.

“I’m so sorry. I should’ve stopped.” My voice cracks under the weight of my panic.

She shakes her head, her sobs growing louder. Each one feels like a jagged knife cutting into me. She’s still underneath me, we’re still connected and I have no idea what to do. I hold myself still above her, trying not to disturb her. Why didn’t I stop her?

I’m a terrible mate. A terrible person.

She deserves better, better than this, better than me.

I try to pull away from her and her body stiffens as if my touch burns. Before I can say anything, she shoves me. I pull away as she scrambles to stand. She tries to find her clothes, running from me, from what I’ve done.

I stumble into my sweats. I love her, I have to do something. Even if it’s just to leave.

“I’m so sorry,” I rasp. “Please, tell me what you need. Anything. I’ll do it.”

“No, you did nothing wrong, Zair,” her words are barely audible through the sobs. The rawness of my name, spoken in that broken tone, hits me harder than any blow. “I have a mate. I shouldn’t have done that. I’m a terrible person. I’m so, so sorry.”

I can’t breathe. I can’t move. Mate? What does she mean? No, it was impossible. She’s my mate. I’m sure of it. Right? Or am I wrong?

“The one I’ve been waiting for… my mate.” She sits on the edge of the bed. Suddenly perfectly still, her tears falling silently down her face. She chokes on the next words. “My banshee, Lazarus.”

No.

There’s no fucking way.

“Your mate… is a banshee named Lazarus?” I force the words out. I need to make sure I didn’t mishear. That I’m not hearing what I want.

She nods.

“Why can’t I find him? He should’ve been there today,” she whispers, her knees drawn close to her chest.”I don’t think he exists anymore.”

That’s who she’s been looking for. Who was tearing her apart from the inside, and I was here hiding in my own insecurities.

I sit down beside her on the bed, the decision made in an instant. I have to tell her. Even if she rejects me, she deserves to know.

“Thea,” I say softly, my hand gently lifting her chin. “Look at me.”

Her eyes are red and swollen, but she does as I ask.

“What do you think Zair stands for?” I pause, the last chance to back out. “La-Zair-us.”