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“I hope you find peace, King,” I whispered and started to cry. Everything was finally sinking in. I’d never see Draco or King again.
“Are you all right?” Ansin asked.
“Not really.”
“He belongs with Mia.”
“I know.” I nodded my head. “But I’m not crying over King. I miss Draco.”
“You would never put him somewhere unsafe.”
I agreed. And it was the only thing preventing me from losing my mind. “Maybe someday I’ll figure out what this threat is, and you can help me take care of it.”
Ansin’s eyes grew intense, filled with a hardness I could only describe as pain. “I think you’re going to have to go it alone from here on out, Jeni. Unless you can stop pulling from me, I am going to die.”
I understood what he was saying. If I was obliterating anything that could get to Draco, anything I saw as a threat or could disclose his location, then Ansin was toast.
“I don’t know how to turn it off,” I said, “but maybe I can undo whatever—”
“Whatever you did is how you’re keeping Draco safe. My time had to come to an end sooner or later.”
A wave of fear, like I was the one about to jump off a bridge, washed over me. I really was going to be on my own. Anyone who could teach me would either be dead or unreachable, blocked from me and this world.
“You’ll be safe, Jeni. Finally safe.”
I drew a breath. None of this seemed right. “I know, but…I just don’t want to feel like this anymore. I can’t handle another second.” Afraid. Sad. Worried.
He brushed a lock of my hair behind my ear. “Then let me help you.”
“How?”
“I can muster a little energy into my voice.”
An oddly kind gesture. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
“I told you before. I love you.”
Love me. Pfft! “Tell me why.”
“I have never met anyone as powerful as you who refused to accept what they are, let alone not exploit their gifts for their benefit.”
“You love me because I don’t take advantage of others.” That was funny.
“Yes. And I’ve never met a woman whose weakness is also her most attractive trait.”
“Being?”
“You still believe there is good in this world.”
That was true. “And you love me for that?”
He stepped closer. “I find you very beautiful. Plus, you are a fighter. Like me.”
“The beautiful part or the fighter part?”
He smiled. “Both.”
I couldn’t help but smile back.
“Let me make you feel good, Jeni. Even if for a few hours.” He stepped in closer, pressing our bodies together.
Should I say yes? Did I want this?
“You still owe me,” he added, arching a scarred brow.
I couldn’t lie. I wanted to pay my debt to him. I wanted him to help me, too. I wanted a few hours without having to feel like this. “Yes. Do it.”
He lowered his head, putting us nose to nose. “Do what, Jeni?”
“Use your voice,” I muttered.
“Just my voice?”
“And your body.”
He lowered his head, pressing his lips to mine. His mouth was warm, but his touch was hotter, sending frenzied shockwaves through my system. For a man who was dying, he still packed a punch.
His tongue slid into my mouth, inviting me to join him in this kiss.
I moved my mouth in time with his, melting against his strong frame. It felt sinfully good being held by this man, but it felt even better knowing that in this moment, he was putting me before everything. Even his own life. It showed just how special I was to him. I could almost believe there was something between us.
Maybe if I could trust him, I could get there. Maybe if I believed men like him were truly capable of love, I’d open my heart. God knew I wanted to love someone of my own free will, unlike with King. Loving him was like a curse.
Ansin pulled away and stared down into my eyes. “It’s time, Jeni. It’s time to let go of your pain, of the past, of all your worries. Tonight you leave behind everything that weighs on your heart.” He rubbed his rough thumb across my lower lip. “There’s just you and me tonight. Nothing else.”
My stomach rolled, and my core began to heat. He was so skilled with that voice. Even now in his weakened state, I felt his words take power over me. The pain and heaviness I’d been wearing like a cold, heavy coat melted away.
He pulled my sweater over my head, taking in my black bra. Lace. Strange that I didn’t remember buying it. But I’d been so scattered lately, like I’d been sleepwalking through the past few months. Maybe because I had. New baby.
No, don’t think of Draco. Imagine him somewhere warm and safe and loved. I would never put him anywhere else.
Ansin kissed his way down my neck, his prickly short whiskers tickling my skin. His hand moved to my breast, cupping and kneading. His other arm snaked around my waist and pulled me into him. He was hard under his jeans and wanted me to know it.
