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"I’m fine," I say, but tears pool in my eyes I try to hide theain I should push hiood-bye any harder I’ll see hiain, but on’t be like this We’ll bejust friends Acquaintances Colleagues
A sharp shrrip cuts through the air Kyol tightens his ar over my shoulder "If Jorreb hurts you, I’ll kill hi in s h his as he opens a fissure A one
Before I turn, I wipe the tears from my cheeks
Aren stands a few feet away His hands are shoved into his pockets, and his hair is a wild, disheveled er covered in blood, sweat, and dirt He looks tired, though Tired and maybe a little apprehensive
He speaks before I’ood e that Taltrayn is an honorable fae, that he loves you and would take care of you I’d step down and let you have the ood as Taltrayn I never will be, and I can’t step down I’ll fight for the chance to be with you"
Those are words I waited a decade to hear from Kyol But in all that time, I never prepared an answer to them I don’t knohat to say I don’t kno to tell Aren that I need to see if we can be soether
The way he draws in his next breath see to ood start" He lets out a laugh "I know you hated me and I threatened you and provoked you, but we could start over I wouldn’t hurt you again Sidhe, I swear I’d never hold a sword to your throat I’d protect you I’d make sure you never had to jump out another , and I’d"
I’, and that’s so unlike him I can’t help but sive you another chance," I say
His gaze moves from my eyes to my lips He focuses on therin pulls at the corner of his hs "I’ve always said you were stubborn, nalkin-shom"
He approaches s we need to discuss and disagreeertips graze h to warm my face He moves closer I feel the heat of his body, smell cedar and cinnamon, and my lips suddenly ache to feel his They’re so close If he lowers his head one millimeter more
"I love you," Aren whispers
I shiver when sohdeeper, more potent and powerful He must feel it, too, because he captures my mouth in the next instant The kiss is possessive, desperate, and delicious He doesn’t hold back or let it end He pulls round I hold on, return his kiss, and flush with heat as chaos lusters fire through ether, as the world fades away