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He curled his fingers into fists, his bottom lip trembling, a rare show of anger on his normally calm face. “What about us? Erianna? I have Anna too. You’re not the only one with a soulmate. What happens to her when this all goes to hell?”
I held my breath, a twinge of guilt settling in my stomach. “Then come with us. I’d never have left you behind, but I just can’t lose her again.” My voice broke at the end as the fear I’d kept deep inside bubbled to the surface. “I can’t lose any of you. I won’t sacrifice her to save your soul, or Erianna’s. I’m sorry. I’d give my own, any day, to keep you all safe, but I won’t do it to her.”
“I understand.” He sighed. “I would never expect that, nor would I want it. I wouldn’t sacrifice Anna either, but don’t tell me again that you only care about your wife. We’ve been there for you too, through thick and thin.
I forced back a tear that threatened to break through. I wouldn’t cry. I couldn’t. I had to stay strong. “I didn’t mean that. I don’t know what to do,” I admitted.
“We have to kill Salenia first,” he said. “Before Olivia can get to her.”
I stilled, my eyes widening as I looked over at Zach, leaning forward and placing my hands on my knees. I was glad we were on the same page, but it wasn’t possible. “I’ve looked everywhere, brother. Even that sorcerer’s bookstore couldn’t offer anything we don’t already know. Salenia’s a goddess—indestructible.”
“We don’t need books.” He pressed his lips tightly. “I need to keep Anna safe, and we both can’t let Erianna anywhere near them. She’ll die trying to protect us and Olivia. We have to keep them all out of this and finish it ourselves. Look, few know Salenia better than you. You spent years with her when we all thought she was Gwen, before we found you. You just have to remember, brother, anything you can. If we can find even one weakness to exploit, then perhaps we can get to her before they do.”
“We just partied.”
“No.” He shook his head, his ponytail swishing behind him. “There’s more. You just don’t want to remember, but you must. I know the castle better than anyone. I can get us inside. Even with extra security. Just think back, there must be something she told you, or that you saw, that can help.”
I blew out a tense breath, my gaze landing on the tall, mahogany clock. The brass pendulum swayed side to side in a hypnotic rhythm. I watched, counting the seconds as it ticked down the little time we had left to come up with a solution.
I couldn’t focus. My thoughts kept drifting to Olivia, the desire to hold her close coursing through our soulmate bond. I missed her. I’d been distant since she’d returned, spending every waking moment thinking about how to save her, to save all of us. We’d barely been intimate, my mind too fractured, fear not allowing me to let myself enjoy myself with her.
After several minutes of silence, Zach stood. “I’m going back to bed. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
I nodded and Zach squeezed my shoulder on the way out, when Olivia appeared at the door, clutching her robe in the middle. “Morning,” Zach said on passing her, then glanced back at me, knowing in his expression as he ascended the stairs, leaving us alone in the dimly lit room.
THREE
Sebastian
Oliviatiltedherhead,gazing at me from the doorway. “I’ve missed you too.”
My lips parted. She must have felt my need for her through our bond. Sometimes I forgot how strong it was. She ran her hand through her wayward strands, poking out in different directions. Her robe fell open at the front, revealing her silk, black nightdress sliding over her curves with each step. In the pale moonlight, seeping through the window, she looked like she belonged to the night.
“Sebastian.” She whispered my name, my heart clenching as if it was the first time I’d heard it on her lips. The smell of honey lingering on her hair from her last shower, mixed with her own scent, intoxicated me. “You’re killing yourself worrying.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off her. “I’m fine. I just couldn’t sleep.”
She pouted those thick lips. Her green gaze fixated on me as she walked to where I stood, the silk swaying against her thighs as she slipped the robe off, letting it fall into a pool on the ground.
“What are you—”
“Shh.” She placed a finger against my lips, leaning down, her breasts visible through the thin fabric. “I need you. I’ve missed you” She slid her fingers down my neck, dragging them down my chest, between the opening of my shirt. “Promise not to push me away,” she said, kneeling against the carpet. “And I won’t do the same. We can’t let everything that’s happened put a distance between us. I love you too much.”
I hadn’t been distant physically, but emotionally, I had felt removed. We both had. Fear, worry, anxiety, it forced an invisible wall between us. But that didn’t matter now. She was here, kneeling over me, and I surrendered. “My love,” I said, placing a finger under her chin, tilting her face until she met my gaze. “I love you too, always. Nothing will ever change that. But I can’t lose you.”
“You won’t,” she promised, the moment hanging between us as my stomach dipped. A smile crossed her face as she laced a finger over my skin. “Do you think Zach’s gone back to sleep?”
My brows furrowed, and I glanced at the ceiling. “Probably. But I don’t care.”
I cupped her cheeks, bringing her mouth to mine, entangling us in a kiss, then lifted her on top of me. A growl reverberated in my chest as I felt the lust ripple through our bond. She nibbled my lip, then pulled back. I slid my hands around her round cheeks, cupping her ass, feeling the touch of her cool, smooth skin as she slid her nightgown over her head, flinging it to the side.
Fuck.
My breaths quickened as my eyes followed the curves of her body. Moonlight bathed her skin, her breasts bouncing as she moved. My dick bulged, my pants tightening around my groin.
I needed her, desired her, wanted every part of her.
She wetted her lips, then closed her eyes as I brought my lips down to her chest, pressing them against her nipple. Her muscles tensed, and a soft moan escaped her lips as my mouth opened, lightly clamping around her nipple. I moved my tongue in circles, her body shuddering against mine. “I still can’t believe you’re mine,” I murmured. “Mine.”
