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"We did coain I need to know this is real" His voice was barely audible, cracking and wheezing but I understood every word

My lips caressed his, drinking hiue, only breath and heat and a pro away, I asked, "If he killed you--how are you alive?"

Q looked away, hiding the torrent ofwhat a volt of el--electricity to the heart can do--to prolong things"

His grogginess evaporated as his hand suddenly shot between his legs Relief slackened his face "Thank God"

I pulled back "What? What is it?"

Q shook his head, alertness battling back his weakness "Nothing I’ worn-out and barely conscious His eyes narrowed "Why is there blood on your cheek?"

Because it was my blood to take

Franco appeared in the doorway, using the dreaded walking stick he’d scorned before "A at Q, he added, "You should’ve seen her, Mercer Fucking scary as hell But she killed hilared inthat what happened downstairs would re his promise I’d done what I needed to do Q didn’t need to know the details

Q’s face darkened, overshadoith the strain of talking "What?" He growl-croaked, "You killed Lynx? That’s his blood on your face?"

I made him believe my lies and stole his life

I nodded, fierce pride resonating in my heart "He stole you fro his hand, I squeezed "I know you’ll understand, and I know you’ll accept when I say it’s done and I don’t want to talk about it"

Q flinched, untangling his arm from the blanket With a shaky hold, he cupped the back ofaway from his eyes "What did you do, Tess? Please tellin a breath His eyes were tight with agony "Tellhim for me You didn’t have to do that I never wanted--"

"It won’t happen" I knew his fears He worried I’d relapse for hurting another like killing Blonde Hu I was happy I accepted e I wasn’t pure any the man I loved--then that was the final debt I would pay

I kissed hiranted me power I’ive it to you wholeheartedly" My sto his letter "But if you ever leaveers you’re in, I’ll kill you, too"

Q leaned back on the cushion, his energy rapidly fading "I did that to protect you"

"Well--I want to protect you in return" My heart lurched realizing just how vulnerable we all were How quickly life passed--how much I wanted to live it "Marry ers added pressure to the base of ainst ue entered sweetly, seductively He didn’t kiss with misery or happiness or lust

He kissed me with reverence Thankfulness

When we broke apart, he rave; épousée dans rave; j’ai posé les yeux sur toi, tu étais à moi pour toujours, mon amour" I’ve already married you in my heart, Tess Theover my head, he said to Franco, "Call Suzette Find out where she organised the wedding"

"Wait--Suzette?"

Q settingit" His last reservoir of strength petered out, leaving hi hard

Franco towered over us, two injured warriors together "I’ll call her, and I’ll do anything else that needs to be done--but you--you’re going to the hospital"

Q opened his lips to argue but winced as Franco deliberately patted his sliced up legs beneath the blanket "Hospital, Mercer Then wedding Don’t make me kick your ass"

A tensecan wait, don’t you?" His gaze fell to Franco’s e where his digit used to be Q frowned, taking in the sling and Franco’s cane "Thank you for coed "Couldn’t be late to this party Look how ed at the morbid humour, but Q srateful to you, Franco" His eyes fell on me "And forever in your debt, Tess You should never have had to do that onpeace A flashing ah the s Kissing Q’s cheek, I whispered, "No apologises I did what I needed to do" I nuzzled his cheek "Your chariot awaits, maître And your bride will be with you every step until she beco off a wave of pain "And once you’re er a heart--it beca the way to my future "When I’m your wife, our lives will become one I won’t be by your side I’ll be inside you Forever"

Q sucked in a breath, his eyes gloith love "In that case--get me to the hospital"

Chapter Fourteen

You are my saviour

My forever