The Second Death of Locke (The Hand and the Heart, #1)

by V.L. Bovalino

My love is yours, as that which beats within my heart is yours, and that which powers the fabric of the world is yours through mine own hand. Take from me, that I may be thine. Binding ritual recovered from Locke, author unknown, date unknown

“I adore you,” he said, all in a rush. “No—no. Listen. I… I’m in love with you. I’ve been in love with you for years, maybe forever. Sometimes it’s all I can think about, and I can’t breathe because it’s so heavy on my chest that I… I might be holding it alone, the only thing about you I can’t be certain of. It’s agony, Grey, the not knowing.”

He pulled her close, nose touching hers. “I am yours, Grey. If that makes you Seward, so be it. If that makes me Locke, then it is done. I am yours and I have been since the day we were bound, and even before that. I don’t care for the name, or the title, or even for the power. I care for you.”

“What is love, without freedom?” she murmured against his skin. He leaned close to kiss her shoulder, then to whisper in her ear. “What is life, without you?”