CHAPTER 5
THE PAIN IN AEDAN’S VOICE AND WHAT HE’D SAID sent Ericka’s mind reeling. She stiffened in his arms.
Something was wrong. Had he taken her soul without her permission? Her heart beat faster and her throat grew too dry to speak.
He lifted his head and fear rose in a heated rush when she saw his tortured expression. He pressed his lips to her forehead, then rolled onto his side so they faced each other and she was in his arms.
He didn’t. He couldn’t have stolen my soul.
Ericka forced herself to take a deep breath. Don’t panic. Don’t panic.
“Most likely you will hate me when I tell you the truth.” Aedan brushed her hair from her forehead as her heart pounded harder. “I am not what you think I am.” His golden gaze was so intense she couldn’t say anything. “I am Incubae, and I was sent to take your soul.”
More heat prickled her skin and a slight dizziness overcame her. She opened her mouth, but he placed two fingers over her lips, not allowing her to speak.
“However, I will not take anything from you.” His features relaxed and he gave her a sad smile. “Your soul is your own. I only wish I could share your life. That would be my greatest dream.”
Relief whooshed through her and she relaxed against her pillow. He hadn’t taken her soul.
Then she realized what he’d said about sharing his life with her and a strange feeling settled in her belly.
“Aedan,” she tried to say behind his fingers, but he pressed them harder to her lips. Smells of sandalwood and sex mingled with the vanilla-scented candles.
“I must go.” He sighed. “I cannot return.”
Ericka’s eyes widened. “What—you have to come back.”
He moved his fingers and pressed his lips to hers. “I hope you will remember and think well of me.”
He started to move away from her when she grabbed hold of his hand. “Wait.” She clenched his fingers tight. “I already figured out you’re an Incubus. I won’t give you my soul, but I don’t want you to stop coming.” An ache grew tighter in her chest. “Please.”
Aedan gave another melancholy smile. “It is not my choice. I answer to the gods and goddesses and I must face my destiny.”
“What is it?” Her hand started to tremble, but she didn’t let go of his. “Your destiny.”
He stared at her for a long time and she tried to imagine never looking into his golden eyes again. “The Realm of the Dead.”
Ericka caught her breath. In her research books that place was a version of Hell. Where one burned for eternity. “No.” She shook her head as she tried to unscramble her thoughts, attempting to remember more of her research. “Isn’t there another place, a good place? An—An—”
“Annwn.” He gently took her hand from his and eased off the bed as she sat and faced him. “But I have failed in my last mission and my fate does not lie there any longer.”
“Stay, Aedan.” Her whole body felt like she was going to shatter. “Stay with me.” She knew her words were crazy. He was a demon. A demon.
“I have grown to love you.” He stroked her cheek with his fingertips. “Thoughts of you will carry me through my destiny.”
Tears burned in her eyes and she felt like she had already started breaking apart. He moved away from her and she scrambled out of bed and tried to follow him. “Wait!” Panic laced her voice. “Isn’t there something we can do?”
Aedan gave her an intense look of longing before cupping her cheeks with his hands and brushing his lips over hers. He whispered, “I love you, Ericka.”
The unreality of it all made her mind spin. “Aedan, please!” She tried to grab his arm to stop him.
He vanished.
“No, no, no.” She held her palm over her mouth as tears burned her eyes and her body shook. “That can’t be it,” she said as she let her hand drop away. “I won’t let it!”
Ericka grabbed her robe that was draped over a chair. She wrapped herself in it before running to the living room straight for her mountain of research books. There had to be a way to save him.
Aedan knew the escorts would be waiting. Hideous demons wearing cloaks that rippled like fire. Aedan didn’t bother dressing himself with his thoughts. The clothing would simply burn away even though he would not.
Jett and Kyne stood to the side. Jett’s eyes were wide and fear was on her features. Kyne clenched his fist so tightly his muscles bunched. “Give him another chance.” Kyne’s voice had a rough edge to it as the guards took Aedan by his upper arms.