Page 47 of Whispers of Ruin
I forgot Fabian!
Her hand stifled her sob as her heart twisted in her chest and guilt threatened to choke her. She’d completely forgotten him when he’d been an ever-present companion for over three hundred years.
The man she’d loved and lost was always on her mind, even if she wasn’t consciously aware of it. Fabian was a part of her that never left… until tonight.
And she’d forgotten him for hours as Brokk took her over and over until they’d both been too tired to continue. He’d fallen asleep, but reality had returned to grasp her within its icy tentacles.
She’d also allowed him, avampire, to feed on her. While her hatred toward vamps had greatly lessened, one of themdidmurder Fabian, yet she’d allowed another to feast on her in every way possible.
At least somewhere between their second and fourth time together, she’d managed to rouse herself to awareness enough to ask him about birth control. It had been centuries since she’d worried about such a thing, but ever prepared, as most dark fae were, Brokk had assured her that he took a monthly potion for it.
Careful not to disturb Brokk, she drew her knees up to her chest as anguish twisted in her gut. The worst part was she could move out of his arms but didn’t. He felt warm, strong, and secure as he held her close while his soft, sleeping breaths stirred her hair.
She hadn’t experienced this kind of contact with another in centuries and didn’t want it to end. But she didn’t kid herself into thinking it would be like this with any other man; something about this man captivated and enthralled her.
Her inability to pull away only made her hate herself more. The only good thing was that since he was half dark fae, he’d be more than happy to move on to someone else tomorrow.
Once he diverted his attention from her, she could return to her life. It may be a bit lonely, but it was the one she’d accepted.
As she told herself this, sorrow rose to battle with the guilt. She hated the idea of him moving on, but it would be best for them.
However, she couldn’t help questioning if it was the best thing for her. The guilt rose again as turbulent emotions battered her.
She had to get her shit together, or she would die in this place.
As she lay there, listening to the sounds of the jungle, whispers drifted to her. Kaylia gripped Brokk’s arm as she tried to understand what they said, but it sounded like a bunch of murmured gibberish until her name and Brokk’s pierced through.
The night had been silent in the mirror realm, but back in the jungle, the whispers found them.
CHAPTERFORTY-FIVE
Brokk woketo discover Kaylia missing from their small hut. Panic shot through him as he bolted upright and rose.
Her pack was gone. With jerky movements, he tugged on the pants he’d tossed aside and buttoned them.
He didn’t bother with a shirt or his pack before ducking through the curtain and stepping into the bright, sunny day. He immediately spotted Kaylia on the other side of the small clearing, talking with the witches.
The sun shining off her silvery blonde hair caused it to shimmer. Its rays danced all around her, shining a spotlight down on her.
He didn’t move as he drank her in. She was strikingly beautiful, and last night, she’d beenhis.He’d had countless women over the years, so many they’d all blended into each other, but she would never be like one of them.
Last night was different in some way. He didn’t know how to explain it, but something inside him had changed. Usually, he was glad to say goodbye to all those other women the next day, and many times, he hadn’t done that, but he’d hoped to find her still beside him.
He buried his disappointment over discovering her ready to go, and he suspected it was because reality had returned, and she’d recalled her dead fiancé.
He didn’t know if guilt had driven her from his arms or if she only meant for it to be a one-night thing. Either way, he wouldn’t let it stand. There would be other times and nights; he’d make sure of it.
When Allegra pointed at something in the jungle and Kaylia turned her head to look, Brokk was disappointed to see that the bite marks he’d left on her had already healed. The next chance he got, he would leave them again.
Excitement and power crackled through him. The energy she’d exuded during sex, and the strength of her blood, continued to course through his veins.
No one had ever invigorated him the way she had. Yes, she was an extremely powerful immortal, but he’d been with plenty of those before. This was different;shewas different. He didn’t know how or why, but he would figure it out.
Sensing his gaze, Kaylia turned toward him. When their eyes met, she held his briefly before shifting her attention to the ground.
Something about how she’d reacted to seeing him didn’t sit right, but he didn’t have time to address it as he spotted Ryker striding toward him from the corner of his eye. Brokk turned to face him.
“Are you ready to go?” Ryker inquired.
