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Empty.

I couldn’t go back there.

I wouldn’t.

She shuddered.

Her nails scraping along my shoulders.

“More… more, Alaric.”

I grunted. Lifted my head. Met her eyes.

Hunger.

That’s all there was.

“Mine.” I grunted and thrust deep.

Her eyelids fluttered. Breath caught and spine bowed.

Her body pulsing around me.

She gave in.

Into me.

Into us.

She was still with me.

Still with us.

I closed my eyes and drove into her.

Knowing one thing more clearly than ever.

I would always belong to her.

36

NYSSA

I woke wrapped around him. That was the first betrayal. My leg was tangled with his. My cheek pressed against his chest. One hand curled loosely against the warmth of his skin as though sometime during asleep I’d gone searching for him. And found him.

I didn’t move. For a few seconds, neither did he.

His heartbeat sounded beneath my ear.

Slow.

Steady.

Familiar.

I hated how safe it made me feel.

After everything.