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“What could you possibly need me for, dragon?” “Too much,” he countered, and I ceased breathing. “Right now, I’ll settle for your mouth on mine.”
It was an adjustment, to say the least, not only having someone see me, but acknowledging that perhaps I wanted to be seen. Perhaps only by him.
“Your heart has claws, fire-breather. But your soul?” His eyes met mine, aglow with affection I wasn’t sure I wanted or deserved. “Soft as silk.”
“You’re truly magnificent.”
“Every fucking time I scent you, taste you in the air I breathe greedily like a wanton beast whenever you’re near.”
Fia Callula was the poison I’d spent most of my existence searching for.
I had no idea what I was doing—just that I’d do whatever was necessary to keep her. I was fucking addicted,
“I’m ready for whatever comes, as long as it involves you.”
“For I find myself needing to erase his scent from your skin, Fia. To make sure I’m the only creature you ever touch.”
“You speak as though unaware that I wish to make every inch of you all fucking mine.”
He was every fear I’d ever had and every wish I’d never known I’d longed for.
“You undo me like nothing else in existence.”
“Because when you look at me like that, I don’t just forget what I’m doing, I forget all that I fucking am.”
“You fray me at every seam, and it’s the sweetest fucking torment I’ve ever experienced.”
“Ruining me from noticing anything in this world that isn’t you.”
“You’ll be mine in every possible way, and I’ll be yours.”
“Maybe you didn’t rob me of my life.” Colvin’s entire body tensed, braced for bruising words. I smiled and felt him relax over me as he waited for my eyes to fall into his. “Maybe you gave me the one I needed, the one I was destined for, instead.” Time swam and crashed, but it couldn’t touch us. Nothing could touch me when he looked at me like that, as if he’d been hunting for treasure his whole life, only to have it land before him in a beautiful earth-shaking mess.
“You excel at finding ways to make my heart stop beating.”
“I think you must.” “Then I will,” he vowed with an unexpected gravity, and pressed his lips beneath my chin. “Until every star burns out.”
I wanted to keep everything that came with her.
“You’re my mate, Fia, but you’re also my heart. You’re in my blood as much as I am yours. You don’t just belong with me. You belong here with me. With all of us.”
“Deep down, you know within your beautiful fucking bones that you can always trust me.” I trailed my lips to the corner of her mouth when she didn’t respond, the stalling of her fast beating heart response enough. “I’ve wanted you from the moment I first laid eyes on you in that dungeon, holding those cubs as if you’d lay down your life to protect them.” “Colvin,” she warned, my name all breath. “I’ve wanted you since the start, I need you in ways I never expected to, and I’ve fallen too deep to regret a damned thing.” My lips pressed, then brushed her skin with every word. “Hate me as much as
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“Fine, but don’t you dare forget…” I inhaled her deeply, stirring the hair over her ear, and murmured with vehemence, “I fucking love you, Fia. I’ll love you regardless of what you choose to do with me.” I stole her hand and placed my lips upon her palm. “Until every star burns out.”
The thought alone, of existing when he did not, not only stopped the beat of my heart—it shadowed everything he’d colored. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t imagine this life without him. All that had come before seemed a dull dream I’d finally been shaken awake from.
“I don’t hate you,” I stated, my chest unbearably tight. “I hated what you made me feel and that you took me away from all I knew, but you never really took anything—you gave me everything.”
“You’re wrong. I’ve never wanted anything quite like I want this, which terrifies me. You terrified me.” I swallowed, my throat unbearably dry. “You still do. Not your scales and fangs and talons, but your unrelenting heart.”
“I’ve never allowed myself to wholeheartedly want anything, Colvin, for I’ve never truly had something of my own.” My smile shook, as did my voice. “Not until now.” His lips parted, brows hovering low. “I do want this,” I whispered, staring into his eyes. “Why won’t you believe me?” “You left me,”
“But now, my obsession, this horrific love I’ve fallen into that was supposed to save me…” He groaned. “It’s destroying me.”
“No.” I pulled his nose to mine, my confession searing. “But I do love you.” Colvin tensed and reared back. “You made me fall in love with you, dragon, so please”—I sniffed, smiling up at him—“spend more time making sure you live and less being an archaic, possessive beast.”
don’t want to be anywhere else.” His throat dipped when I added tremulously, “I don’t belong there, Colvin. I belong here.” I reached for him. “I belong with you.”
“Would you have helped me?” He framed my face, brought it close to his, and murmured vehemently, “I would’ve made sure you never had to leave these rooms to get what you wanted.” I nodded, knowing that was true. “But then that would make you the monster they believe you to be.” “So be it,” he seethed quietly. I pressed my mouth to the corner of his. “But you’re not a monster, Colvin.”
“The monster has always been me.” “Fia,” he breathed, visibly tensing, his hand squeezing mine. I shook my head. “But if it means there is one less corrupt creature in this world with the audacity to try harming you, then a monster I am happy to be.”
“Just that you’re here, and you’re mine.” “All yours,”
“You have captured my heart too thoroughly, dragon.” “Then all is now fair.” He took my fingers and brushed his lips over my knuckles. “Your heart is safe with me, fire-breather.”
“You are the breath in my chest, the reason for every changing beat of my heart.” I nudged my nose against hers, my own heart swelling. “I love you, too.” “This is not merely love, Colvin.” “Then please,” I taunted. “Do tell me what it is.” But she didn’t smile as I’d intended. Claiming each side of my face, she pulled my forehead to hers. “It’s life or death. My existence is tied to yours, which is a very dangerous thing indeed, husband.”
