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“Because she’s no longer mated to him? Doesn’t that release hiainst his will?”

“It doesn’t ic er than huical connection that doesn’t simply disappear because the union is over”

“Even under all his madness, he misses her?”

“Lucan doesn’t remember who he is but, he knows Anka at a core level I can only give hi I’m her I use her soap and shampoo, wear her clothes, whatever is necessary”

Under all that torone from him forever Tears welled

“But if Anka is free of Mathias and has left Aquarius, why doesn’t she return to Lucan?”

“She doesn’t re survival of the species, I suppose She’s currently e her energy If she remembered Lucan and suffered as he does, she’d never allow another tois possible, but difficult if unmated, and with Lucan in her ain”

“Nor will Lucan”

“Men who have been wellyearning to ain”

“Usually? I hear uncertainty in your voice”

Sabelle winced “Lucan lance at Lucan again His gleaainst the ropes His groas a threat that sent shivers down her spine His love must be powerful, indeed And Sabelle had tricked hi her?

“It’s the only way to keep him alive”

Caden’s reluctance toin control Lucan’s descent into ic would be the worst horror to a soldier with such self command

They were in the ht in the path of danger Coupled with the fact she’d brought Caden to her side by foul er played a role between them—his retreat made a sad sort of sense

She bit her lip She needed to talk to him, if only to say that she understood “Is Caden here?”

“I’o allowed Bra in” Sabelle handed her a little white rock “I’ and I’m not needed When you’re ready to return, just toss this stone in the air and say ed her, then warned, “Given his worries about Lucan and Mathias’s backlash, Caden e”

A shuffle and a quiet knock on the family roo to see Sabelle The sight of Sydney punched him with a breathless rush of thrill and need

He’d been away fro intensity, like a junkie craving a fix After settling Lucan back into his home, Caden had done little except pace and sweat and wish to God he could hear or set his desire under control before he could protect her Worse, his energy aning, and he realized that as an unmated male, he could bed anyone And must do so soon

But he only wanted her

Then his brain kicked in Why was she here? Sabelle, he realized And the only reason for the witch to visit was Lucan

Anxiety buzzed his blood, and he fought to rein in the curse on the tip of his tongue Sydney no far more about his objections That fact softened her noraze

Damn it, she felt sorry for hito the book on the nearby table “I don’t e in, but I had to see you Why didn’t you tell ?”

Caden took a hesitant step closer—but not too close That would be dangerous “It doesn’t change anything”

“But your refusal to share with me does I only wanted the truth”

She rushed across the rooer and longing He dug his fingers into his thigh to keep fro her into his arms

“I understand nohat you fear,” shewithyou strive to retain I’m sorry for him, but you don’t know that Lucan’s condition would become yours—”

“Given the way you’ve thrown yourself into a war, I do Your bravery is coer You don’t take precautions, and I know you’ll try to refuse my protection, even if I insist you follow my rules—”

“Your rules? I’uidance”

He stepped closer, toe to toe, towering over her That spicy-sweet scent of hers infiltrated and intoxicated his senses, tightening his gut The inevitable erection sprang to life et rid of her quickly His resistance to her kiss eakening

“You ered hiickind He will hunt you down and torture you Why didn’t you use caution? Bow out?” he growled, ready to tear his hair out “Now it’s too late In less than teeks rown far beyond rational If we mated, there’s no question I would become like my brother”

“I’m clever, and you’ll protect me Braer involved”

“You should be Don’t you see? Strength in nu a difference If we mated, we’d have each other I don’t need —”

“I feel the same and more, but if I ether in days on the fist of one hand This is war Mathias is likeickind’s ultimate sociopath Deter to kill And he won’t die by a simple bullet, as you saw in his warehouse”

“We’ve weakened his ar to do, and using the book as bait was perfect Maybe peace will coether”

Caden raked a frustrated hand through his hair They were talking in circles, and still she wouldn’t understand “Peace? Last time Mathias was vanquished, it took decades and an army of experienced wizards Many died Too many were sacrificed”

“The same is true in human wars And like those, we don’t have any control over who lives or who dies We only have control over e do with our tiether” She squeezed his hand “If Lucan and Anka’s separation has shown anything, it should be that, while lovers can suffer, love itself endures Even without re someone dear”

“And Lucan has been reduced to an animal”