More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
She walked past me and held the strand up to the fading light of a window across the room, then spun back to face me. “You’ve returned.”
“But if that wolf didn’t die… if that wolf escaped…” His voice was almost gentle. “Well, let’s say that wolf could find allies in the Wind-Bloods, should she ever need them.” Gratitude flooded through me. “If I ever see that wolf, I’ll be sure to let her know,” I whispered. Xander
“The secrets are meant to keep you safe.” Safe? What safety had I ever known? “Trust me, little wolf.” But I no longer trusted anyone.
“Then find me in your dreams if you wish to see me.”
“Welcome back, Soteria. We have much to discuss.”
“Trust this, little wolf. You will be safe here, and whatever shreds of your trust or affection you choose to share with me, I’ll take until earn them all.”
Something like guilt crossed his face, but it was gone too quickly, replaced with resolve. “I’ll tell you this, Avery. Everything I do, everything I have ever done, has been to keep you safe. And if I’ve learned anything in my long life, you make that task exceptionally difficult.”
“It’s good your powers are growing, Soteria,” Hecate said as I pressed my palms against the tree, trying to find an entry point. “You’ll need it for when you become his queen again.”
“You have more power than you know if you’d only claim it. It is crucial you do. This tree is like the realm. Dead. Decaying. But it was not always like this, and you can stop it from descending into rot for eternity.
“Consequences, Avery. Everything has consequences. That which came to pass a hundred years ago haunts us. As does what occurred a month ago. I can only hope we will all be prepared.”
“You’re the best of everything,” Cole said. For one moment, I was weightless.
I love him . “It says… I want him.” It was as close to the truth as I could handle.
“What does it mean?” I asked him softly. His eyes glowed with pride. “It means ‘savior.’”
“I won’t let you have a single regret, Avery,” he vowed. “You are my heart and my soul, or whatever black pit sits in my chest.” When
“I’m forever in awe of you, little wolf. You have no idea how incredible you are. How irresistible you are. How mine you are.”
“I have lived uncountable moments in agony thinking I would never see you again.”
I only hoped I had carved myself into his soul the way he had mine.
I began to lower my arm when he spoke. And the words froze my blood. “Hello, my wayward mate.”
“I need you to know, Avery… it was worth it. You own my soul. You’re etched on every part of me. And if I only had you for a moment, then it was the only moment worth having in my entire lonely existence.”
“Forgive me for leaving you alone.”
But I didn’t even make it halfway before Cole turned and gave me one final look. Even at the distance, I read the apology on his face. Apology, but no regret. He wasn’t sorry at all that he was doing this. He was only sorry he was leaving me behind.
Agony. Unending agony. But even if he could have killed himself, he would not have ended his misery. Not when it meant she was safe.
He would choose to bear that abuse a thousand times over. With her, there was never a choice. And he had never wanted one.
