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“You did what?!”
I laughed loud enough for the sound to echo off the mountain, then quickly quieted “His banana slipper,” I clarified “Well, both of them, actually He had these stupid bedroom slippers shaped like bananas”
“Co an eyebrow
I grinned “Comparatively? Oh, yes”
He grinned, dipping his head to claim a kiss that was quick but full of fire We walked in cohtful sound I nudged hi hiht was
“I just wonder—you sa Vee set traps for Gavriel’s soldiers Makesto extre side”
I shrugged, then grinned “Maybe the Custodians should be recruiting fro hu behind”
He startled low that burned in his eyes made a rush of emotion wash over me
“Hey I love you,” he murmured
My heart skipped a hopeful beat, then took off at a gallop in my chest But before the happiness could truly settle in, my stomach clenched I s the feel of his soft, gorgeous skin
“It’s the succubus thing,” I said gently “It has that effect I feel it too, but it’s not—” I sed “It’s not real It can’t be”
He shook his head and kissedyou up I want you constantly, and I love that too But it’s so ic or bonds, I’m sure of that They’re one part of what I feel for you, but it’s not just about that anymore I’m in love with you, Pipes If my mark disappeared tomorroould still follow you anywhere I would want to be by your side”
I sed hard, blinking back tears that surprised me with their intensity I had spent hours, days— to sort outto find the lie in what felt so damn true Over and over, I had convinced myself that what felt like love was just an illusion, that it wasn’t “real” in the way that I had always defined it
But the certainty in Xero’s voicecrack open in my chest He sounded so daht be a e the fact that we had spent the last year and a half confiding in each other, leaning on each other, supporting and uplifting each other We had fought side by side, slept skin to skin, and if it came down to it, I would lay down my life for his
Sliding both hands around his neck, I gazed up at hinificence The words burst out ofto escape the prison I’d held the