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"Get Cruce out of here," I murmured to Jada

Barrons exploded the instant I said it, and I realizedthose words I’d confirmed that it had indeed happened If it hadn’t, I’d never have tried to get Cruce out of there; it uilty and protective of hione so still because he’d turned one thousand percent of his focus on n of confired and hoell I could guardfor hiainst one of the tumbled walls of Chester’s with such force that bricks went flying andon his throat I blinked Barrons had so into the first stages of transformation to the beast

Cruce’s dark, tattooed arhty, giant Goliaths, locked together

"You will never save your world if you kill me now," Cruce said coolly "She will die You will die The hulided across the wet pavehtly on Barrons’s arm and said, "Please, Jericho Don’t kill him We need him He raped me that day in the street He was the fourth Not Darroc Cruce is the one who gave me the elixir The elixir that saved s worked out

Barrons’s hold tightened further "Give hly around thick, long black fangs

"Because I asked you not to, Barrons That’s good enough You killed the other princes, and I was grateful I wasn’t ready then I was still afraid of what I’d become But this last prince is mine to kill or not to kill And I say no At thethat word, I know you know that a no from me means no And you will honor it," I said in a voice that brooked no resistance It was one of the defining differences between the two proud, dark, violent males And if he didn’t honor it, he wasn’t the man I believed he was

Both of them turned to look ater NotA powerful alpha in his own right, he was drawn to th, resilience, and passion Struck by the si had been right when he’d said things could have played out differently: Not the only possible, the king had told me Perhaps Barrons becomes Cruce…or me Mere choices defined who and what each of us had become Cruce wanted e was a useful tool

Barrons released his grip on Cruce’s throat and stepped away

I looked up at the dark prince and said quietly, "Would you please stop the rain?"

It ceased instantly

"I’d appreciate it if you would make sure it remains sunny until we’ve either solved our probleh leaden clouds A breeze high above us began whisking the dense thunderheads away

"For you, MacKayla Do you see how simple it can be between us?" Cruce murmured softly "You have only to accord me respect and consideration Ask and I will make it yours, if it lies in my power to do so I would move universes for you, if you would only see me as clearly as you see him"