“If there is, I will find it,” Alaine said, and I believed her. She would do anything to keep me safe. “We have a lot of cleaning up to do. I’ll need each of you to do another thorough sweep of the house. Check everywhere, we can’t afford to have any stray Darkling lurking about. From now on, the barrier will stay up, and we will take turns watching the perimeter. I will make arrangements for Caleb and Courtney, and until we find a suitable safe house, Emma will need to be guarded at all times.”
The room agreed.
“And remember… whatever happens in the safe room, stays in the safe room,” Dom exclaimed.
“Yes,” Alaine agreed. “Be safe, all of you.”
Everyone left and Alaine walked over to me. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We are all here for you, and will fight for whatever you choose.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“You two wait here until we make sure the house is clear. I’ll send a few of the guys back to let you know, and to collect Caleb and Courtney.”
I nodded, then she leaned over and kissed my forehead.
“Have faith,” she said as she exited.
When the door closed, Kade turned to me and grabbed me by both arms.
“I might not have the chance to say this again. I love you. You have become the best part of my life. From the moment I open my eyes, until the moment I lay my head down to sleep, you are on my mind. And even in my dreams, you are there. I love you. With every cell in my body, I love you. But, you need to listen to me,” he paused.
“Kade,” I breathed.
“No,” he shook his head. “I need you to live, even if it’s without me.”
“I can’t,” I cried.
“Listen to me, Emma,” he said, grasping my face in his hands. His body and words were desperate and urgent. “I’ve witnessed Lucifer’s power, and have seen firsthand what happens to those who break his pacts. He tortures them without mercy, and no one can stop it. I will not let that happen to you. You need to do whatever you have to do to stay alive. Even if that means sealing the bond with Ethon.”
“Why?” I sobbed. “Why doesn’t God intervene? Why does he sit back and watch this madness take place? Does he know how many hearts are breaking?”
“I don’t know,” he said sadly. “I wish I had all the answers for you.”
He stopped and cradled my face, gently stroking my cheeks with his thumbs, wiping away my tears. The passion in his eyes burned like I’d never seen before, but they were also filled with devotion and tenderness.
He didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. I reveled in the way he could look at me with so much love. He was the most selfless person I’d ever met, and he loved me. What did I ever do to deserve anyone so special?
“I’m so sorry, Emma,” he whispered, resting his forehead against mine.
“Why?” I asked, breathing in his sweet scent.
“Because you should have been mine. We were supposed to seal the bond and be soul mates for all eternity.”
I shook my head, but inside I did wish things were different. I wished he were still immortal, and I wished we could spend the rest of eternity loving each other. But the dream had been shattered. For him, there was no eternity, and that left a hole in my heart that could never be mended.
“You did what you thought was right,” I said, twisting my hands in his thick dark hair.
“I did what I knew was right, yet it did nothing in the end. I was injured before you even started the quest, and look… you still made it out safely without me. If I would have known, if I were given a second chance, I would have chosen differently.”
“Don’t beat yourself up for something that cannot be changed.”
“It haunts me every single day. Every time I look at you, and know I could have loved you for an eternity, it kills me inside.”
“Then make me forget. Make us both forget. Right now.”
I pulled his face closer, and he pressed his mouth to mine, kissing me ever so gently. His velvety tongue ran over the length of my lips, and then his mouth crashed down on mine with a sudden urgency. Heat blazed between us as his hands wrapped around the back of my neck, holding me in place. His kiss was eager, and his passion matched mine.
Pulling me to his lap, I straddled him and his arms wrapped around my waist. He kissed me like it was the last time he’d ever kiss me again.
I gave in. I wanted him like I’d never wanted him before. He pulled away, his tongue and lips leaving tingling sensations as they trailed down my neck and across my chest. I moaned in pleasure, and he found my lips once again. Desire burned within me, and I craved his touch. Moving against him, I wanted nothing more than to feel his skin against mine – to feel his gentle touch all over my body.