pte

BEGI

ra'

oom. My body ached everywhere, but the worst pain

ing me with cold, stormy eyes. He wore only low black

," Kael said,

t up to cover mys

replied flatly. "It seems the Goddess has c

ed insistently beneath my skin, pulling

el said, moving closer with war

His hands moved over the gashes on my bac

eak again for

Kael said quietly, almost to himsel

ing. He leaned down, his mouth finding mine in a fierce, consuming kiss. I did not pull away. I co

like a tide neither of us had the strength to resist. He was not tender, and I did not ask him to

l, my body warm and aching i

He looked at me once - something unreadable crossing h

said. "I do not want a m

door. I said nothing.

threshold

ng for you," Kael said, his vo

he left, the lock clic

lling at me stronger than before. His w

not l

ot even

Goddess had

dvantage I had - including this bond - to prove my fa