A Vow of Hate (A Vow of Hate, #1)

by Lylah James

“Killian…”

Julianna muttered weakly. My arm curled a...

“I’m here, Pr...

“C-c-...

“I k...

I brushed my thumb ove...

“I’m going to warm you up. Nothing is going to happen to you....

My wife snuggled further into my arms, pressing her fa...

Her eyes closed again and she let out another soft whimper. Another shiver racked through her body. Julianna slid a hand over my chest, her fingers digging into my flesh. Almost like she was desperately seeking my warmth.

“I have you,”

I climbed into the bed again. She immediately rolled over to me, her body curling into mine. Julianna threw a leg between mine and her arm slid over my chest as she burrowed her fevered self against my body. Helplessness gripped me as Julianna suffered through a brutal fever. It lasted through the night, into the morning and through the next… four days. I stayed by her side, never leaving her for more than fifteen minutes and that was only to use the restroom and for a quick shower each day.

“Do… you hate… me?”

she croaked. I stiffened at the question. This was the first time she had addressed me directly since her fever had set in. My breath hitched when Julianna brought her hand up, cupping my cheek. Her thumb brushed over my jaw and then my lower lips.

“Don’t… hat...

My throat ...

“Juli...

I practically choked her name. My heart thudded in my chest, hard. It fucking hurt. Her weak voice. And how fragile she was. Her weary eyes were filled with pure desperation. Instead of responding, I rubbed Vaseline over her crack...

“Ple...

she pleaded, before burrowing her face into my neck. Her lips brushed against the pulse in my throat. Ju...

“I love… the way you… smell. It comforts… me. Don...

she confessed softly, her voice breaki...

“Shhh, I’m righ...

I reassured her feve...

“Not going anywhere. You just sleep and focus on ...

Julianna made a weak sound in the back ...

“Kill...

“...

“I wish… our story was d...

she whispered s...

“I wish you… didn’t hate me and that… I didn’t lie to you. I wish we could start over aga...

My arm curled around her, my chest rattling with a s...

“I wish the same too, ...

My chest rumbled with a low snarl as my arm snaked out and I grasped the back of her neck. Tugging her forward. She leaned into me, without any resistance. Her breath whispered over my lips, so fucking close. It was a moment of weakness when I leaned forward. My heart and brain wanted two different things. But in the end, my body won over. My lips slammed over hers, kissing her into silence. I didn’t want to hear her weak apologies, for they meant absolutely fucking nothing to me anymore. It was three years too late for apologies. Julianna gasped once, before quickly falling into the kiss. Almost like she had been waiting for this.

“I fucking hate you, Julianna,”

I rasped into her lips. She whimpered and pressed her mouth harder against mine. Wanting more. Needing more. It took all of my willpower to wrench myself away from the kiss. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, my lips curling bitterly. A smile with no warmth. Her chin trembled and her eyes welled with tears. It ...

“You like the dress?”

“White is too pure.”

“Oh. What is your favorite color then?”

“Red is the color of extre...

“It’s many things. Violence. Passion. Wrath.”

“Lust,”

“Seduction. L...

“Do you long for something,...

The term of endearment slipped past my lips before I could think twice of it. Julianna must have caught my slip of tongue, because she granted me one of her rare smiles. A real fucking smile. ...

“I long for salvation,”

“But I’ve realized that salvation can only be found in the arms of the person you love. Salvation is just a pretty word for peace and comfort.”

“You’re more clever than I tho...

Julianna pushed her chair away, standing up. She leaned forward, bringing our faces closer and giving me the perfect view of her cleavage. The neckline was way too low, showing a great deal of her full, enticing breasts. I didn’t know if she did it on purpose or not, but fuck. My dick twitched in my pants and I swallowed my groan.

I burned in Killian’s presence and I ached in his absence. It was ironic how I wanted him to leave, to move on – but when he was doing exactly that, I couldn’t bear to lose him. Killian told me he hated me. And I believed him. But as much as he’d want to deny it – he still loved me the same. I felt it in his tender touch while I was sick. Felt it in the way he took care of me, so patiently.

she withered without the love of her husband.