ANMELDENI slip off my own shirt, so captivated by her that it takes me a moment to understand what she's talking about. Then I scoff."You think I wouldn't sacrifice my magic for you? I would sacrifice anything for you. Even if I never woke up, the risk was well worth-"She's on me in the next moment, her lips colliding with mine, and then we're both hungry, ravenous, searing with need.Rolling, I pin her to the bed and take over the kiss, groaning when her hands tangle in my hair. I rock my hips, and heat shoots down my spine when she grinds against me in return with a soft groan."Bethany," I whisper, trying to shed my pants as fast as fucking possible. "I want to cherish you. I want to spend every day of the rest of our lives worshipping your body, but right now-""Sex now. Talk later," she agrees, wrapping her legs around me insistently.Deskar! I'm in love with her.I never expected that.My entire life, I never thought I would ever have a mate that could endure my shortcomings.I was a
~Asad~I’ve been in this deep hollow for ages long, and just when I thought I might just die here, the blinding glow appears from way up there.It's so blinding that I can’t see.When it finally goes off, I find myself floating on a type of sub-space-no longer in that terrible hole.Slowly, I’m dropped down on a flat, plain surface, surrounded by dark silence.It's bizarrely serene. For the first time since the loss of my family, my voice is the only voice inside my head.Paranoia is not shredding me to pieces; there are no taunting whispers, and keeping my eyes closed for longer than a blink no longer fills me with that fearful dread.Is this what being sane feels like?I can’t remember the last time I was sane and how it felt.I’ll give anything to feel like this even if it's for a few more minutes or hours…This feels so good…I feel so good.‘I’m glad you do.’My heart stutters.That was Bethany.Blurry memories and realizations slowly piece together as I pull myself out of the da
It's quiet for a moment, and then I hear the rustling of clothes as Mosley removes his.He steps into the shower behind me, which increases the steam significantly, thanks to the chill of his skin.Then he hesitates. "Bethany, I don’t think my touch will be exactly pleasant. Are you sure you want me to…?"I peek open one eye and immediately open the other to get a better view. Oh, gods. He's so fucking gorgeous.Always too gorgeous. Even when he has no right to be.I used to roll my eyes about the girls drooling over him at the university all the time, but now that I get to see him this way often, I kind of get it now.All that perfect skin, the lean muscles, that angelically handsome face and striking white hair, those chilly eyes…Mosley blushes so hard that he tries to cover his face. "Cut it out, Bethany.""Am I making you uncomfortable?" I grin."You're making me way too fucking hard to even think about touching you," he mumbles so quietly I almost miss it.That takes my gaze dow
“You will be recognized out there, Mosley.” I continue arguing, trying to squirm out of Jay’s strong arms.Godsdamn it, I’m way more exhausted than I realized because my attempts are pathetically feeble.They all watch in amusement as I give up, sighing and letting my head hang back over Jay’s arm.“Fine, we’ll rearrange things,” I begin. “Jay will go out to get clothes, because he’s the least likely to get recognized or frighten the hell out of people and spread unnecessary rumors,” I add when the Vel Morin opens his mouth.He laughs, and Jay nods in complete agreement.“Olyon can keep watch around the area and perimeters.”“Happy to be assigned to a task, Sweetheart.”I pause, frowning. “You look more tired than usual, Olyon.” My eyes take him in slowly. “I’ve never seen you look this tired. Is there something I can do to help?”He blinks as if he’s surprised that I noticed before he replies. “I’m fine, my love. Nothing a few Rasnae seeds wouldn’t sort out.”“Go ahead and take plent
Now it makes so much sense why Zuu doesn’t joke with this shifter. He might be annoying, but he’s proven his loyalty to her and her family over and over again.She trusts him with her life.And I love it for her.I feel the same with my mates, and it's great to know that Zuu has someone she trusts in such a manner and at such a level.“There won't be any transportation magic without telling us where we’re going,” Mosley replies, taking his burner phone from Zuri.“It’s a cabin in a small town full of mostly humans. The Liminal Order wouldn’t send anyone after us in a settlement that is filled with humans. All we need to do is act as normal as possible until it's time to leave.”“My pinky Cabin?” Zuri asks Hellion, who nods.“Oh, Beth, you’ll love it,” she tells me excitedly. “It's right beside a church and town hall. My parents and I always go there when we feel like getting in touch with our human side.” She laughs sweetly.“There's literally everything in the cabin. You’ll love it.
~Bethany~When we emerge in Crestbane forest, it’s worrisome how quiet everywhere is.Not even the sound of crickets can be heard.For the hundredth time, I glance at Asad. He’s still motionless in Jayan’s arms. But now his skin is getting paler than ever, which is getting me super worried. The only assurance I have that indeed he’s transforming, but painfully slow, is the occasional appearance of dark vein-like webs on his temples.It's either Zuri and Hellion haven’t noticed, or they’re opting not to say anything about it.“Asad,” I try again. “We’re leaving Crestbane together. What do you think? Such great news, right?”There’s no reply.Hellion glances around nervously, adjusting his hold on Zuri’s arm.“Uh. Not to pressure you, Bethany, but…”Right. We need to get out of here.I brace myself and reach toward Zuri. “This might take a second to set up. Once the spell is ready, everyone must be touching someone touching me.”They position themselves as I take Zuri’s bare hands in m
~Olyon~“Okay,” Bethany says in a rather defeated voice.“Please, I need explanations.” Salazar stands. He doesn’t look good; he looks like he’s going to shift and let his dragon take over any moment.Mosley is sprawled on the floor, head in his palm, and ice crawling over his arm in slow, steady m
~Olyon~ “I don’t know what is wrong with you, Asad. But I worked my ass off to get this moment with my mate. We all have personal issues with everything around here, especially our families' involvement with the fucking Liminal Order. But that does not in any way concern my mate, and I want it to r
~Jayan~My mate shocks the loving hell out of me when she hesitates and then whispers, “Are you sure?”I can barely think through how excited I am, and godsdamn it, if I’m this keyed up from so little, what would it be like to get completely lost in her?“I've never been more sure of anything all m
~Bethany~ I’m trying to play head games to get those guys to hate me, and here are four pissed-off, jealous girls. Three actually. The girl from the stairs seems more terrified than pissed. All I need to do is piss the rest off even more. Simple-perfect task. I tip my head. “I need to get to the







