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Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
K.L. DeVore
Read between
April 29 - April 29, 2025
Tears slid down his cheeks, the wetness darkening the gold skin on his profile. “Peri didn’t stand a chance. I fed from her aura…and…and I couldn’t stop.
Gray, I couldn’t fucking stop.”
“I killed my baby sister, the only person who had ever shown me any love. My best friend.”
“It wasn’t your fault, Chrome,” I said through choked sobs.
“I killed her. I should’ve stopped.”
“I was supposed to, and I failed. So, I deserve to suffer for it.”
“No. No, you don’t. They do. And they will. We will take their heads, but first, they will pay for what they’ve done.”
“Yes, we will, my little savage,”
That gaze that said he saw it all, felt it all. The look that’s unnerved me since the moment I held my knife to his throat in the speakeasy.
“You look so fucking beautiful in your full form,” Chrome whispered. “You’re my rainbow. My beam of hope.”
“When I depleted Peri, it thrust me into devolution. I’m becoming Endarkened.”
Oh my fucking go
Someone took a serrated dagger to my heart. Or so it felt. How was I supposed to react to that kind of news? Becoming Endarkened was a fate far worse than death.
“No, Rainbow. There’s not. I’ve been fighting it off, but I don’t know for how much longer.”
“I’m in the second phase. I only have one more time before I’m gone.”
Chrome shrugged. “I had a lot to live for. But I’m not going anywhere until those three are dead and the Elementals are in good hands.”
“I knew you couldn’t get enough of me, little savage. I guess all I needed was a sob story to keep you around.”
“I know. But I won’t object to spending more time with you.”
“Just you, Princess.”
“If you start experiencing the physical withdrawal symptoms, you have my permission to touch me.”
“I’m going to need you to clarify what you mean by ‘touch you.’ Because I’m going to be honest, Gray. There’s a million ways I want to touch you. And none of them are innocent.”
“That you want more than just innocent touches.”
“If you keep biting your lip like that…”
“I’m sorry,” I said, finding a blade of grass on the ground and focusing on it. “No,” he said. The authority he held as the leader of Elementals rang deep in his voice. “Gray, look at me.”
“Don’t ever, and I mean never, apologize for that. I would never guilt you for owning your body.”
“I feel your emotions. You wouldn’t be betraying him for being…intimate…with someone else, but I understand if you’re not ready. I will never fault you for that.”
“But to sleep with someone I might actually care about? That feels like a betrayal. It feels like I’m forgetting about him. Like I’m saying he was never here.”
I felt that in the speakeasy. Your rage is such a turn-on.”
“You’re not just my Rainbow. You’re theirs, too.”
“Don’t,” I said through clenched teeth. “Don’t speak to her like that.” My magic thrummed through my body, both parts, electrifying me and wanting to burst. I shook trying to hold in.
“I guess this bond between you two is real, after all.”
“I hate to admit it, Princess, but you’re growing on me.
“Nothing like using Kinetic magic against the Kinetic king to hinder his goals. I’m here for it. Let me know if I can help.” My heart swelled with pride to see her stepping into acceptance. I never doubted that she would.
“Then you might wanna shield from me so that you can, Princess,” I retorted, a wry grin on my face. “Maybe one day, you’ll follow through on your empty threats.” Somehow, she managed to toss up the middle finger in the midst of a dodge.
“Should we stop? I feel like we should stop at this point,” Orion muttered. “Nah, it’s good for her cardio.”
“I’ll ask again, why can’t you build,” I paused, dropping my voice deep and quiet, holding her glaring rainbow eyes, “a fucking shield?”
“You’re overthinking it, Princess. Release your need to control everything. You and your element are a team. Don’t forget that.”
Unable to stop myself, I cupped the side of her face and rested my forehead against hers. Air soothed my lungs as if they’d been starved of oxygen for too long. “You can do this. I believe in you.”
“Come on out, little savage. I wanna play.”
The princess snapped her gaze up to meet mine. A burning hunger ignited in her eyes, making it extremely difficult for me to not take her on the spot and claim her as mine.
“Well, that was…” he mused, rubbing the stubble on his jaw. “Shut the fuck up.” He laughed and raised his hands in surrender. “My apologies.”
The pride continued to swell in my heart, loving the savagery within her. “Perfect,” I said. “Again.”
The hug I pulled her into was instinctual, tucking her head under my chin, emotion clogging my throat at how close I was to slipping away again, yet I was beyond grateful I was granted the chance to free myself from it. “Thank you,” I whispered, my chin resting on the crown of her head and breathing in her warm vanilla scent.
“Because you don’t need me clinging onto you while you’re figuring things out and getting acclimated here. You need to make your own path while healing your trauma. I’m not trying to add stress to you while you do that. Plus, this is my issue, and I won’t put that responsibility on you.” I fought the urge to run my fingers through her hair to brush it away from her face.
“Beneath that steel exterior of yours, you have a heart of gold.”
“Let’s see if you can actually catch me this time, little savage.”
“It’s okay. No big deal. I’ll show you.”
I studied the excited anticipation building in her features, wanting to soak up the fact that I was the one bringing it out of her.
“Paper beats rock, Princess.”
will always find you, Gray,”
“No matter the realm. No matter if I’m Endarkened. I will always find you.”
