Page 75 of Bound By Love
“Go back to your mate,” Saber growled at his sister.
“I can help you,” Brie insisted.
“No one can help me.”
Brie paled, and Ronan released Asher to step in front of Kadence. He adjusted his hold on his sword as, with those words, Saber confirmed what Ronan had already suspected… there was no saving his mate.
Now, it was a matter of how Saber would choose to go: at the end of Ronan’s sword or by his hand. Saber seemed to confirm which it would be when he stopped stroking Caro’s face and rested his hand on his sword’s hilt.
“Brie,” Asher said more sharply.
Now that Ronan was out of his way, Asher stepped forward again. When he did, Brie rested her hand on Saber’s shoulder and squeezed.
Ronan held his breath as he waited to see what would happen. If Saber reacted violently to the touch, a battle would ensue. Saber was weakened, but rage and despair over losing his mate would propel him to strengths and feats most couldn’t accomplish in his weakened state.
Instead of erupting into a fury and looking to slaughter everyone, Saber’s shoulders slumped a little, and he released his sword to rest his hand over Brie’s. “Go on now, little sister. Return to your mate.”
“I love you, Gabriel,” she whispered.
He stiffened at the name before relaxing again. “And I you.”
With tears streaming down her face, Brie retreated to stand beside Asher again. Kadence’s shoulders shook, and she wiped her eyes before lifting her chin and staring stoically ahead.
This would be over soon. Of that, Ronan was sure.
CHAPTERSIXTY-THREE
Saber caressedCaro’s cool cheek before bending to kiss her brow. He bit into his wrist again and returned it to her mouth; his blood flow had slowed considerably, but at least she was still getting a little.
He’d given up hope his blood would help. However, he’d drain himself dry before giving up completely. It may not be healing her, but he couldn’t stop until he put a blade through his heart and ended his despair.
First, he had to take her from this dirty, cold, desolate place. He’d never let Caro’s final resting place be in this literal hellhole.
She should be in the sun and by the sea, which had become an integral part of her scent. She deserved salty air and a place of warmth that matched the beauty of her soul.
Caro may already be gone, but he hoped her soul remained until it could be set free in a place of beauty like it deserved. No matter what, her body wouldn’t stay here.
If he chose to die here too, the others would carry her above and take him. Buthewould bring her into the light and hold her while his existence ended.
He’d like to walk into the sun and catch fire with her, so they could burn together, but he’d have to start killing again for the sun to burn him. While earlier he would have given anything to destroy everything in his path, he wouldn’t leave this earth a monster.
Caro would never want that, and she especially wouldn’t approve of it happening because ofher. Despite the rage and anguish tearing at his soul, he couldn’t return to being a Savage.
Besides, maybe purgatory existed too. And maybe, by some miracle of a chance, he might end up there to pay for his countless sins before being deemed worthy enough to be set free to find her soul again.
He cleaved to that small chance as he clung to what little remained of his shredding sanity. The malevolence creeping through him again whispered of death and destruction. It begged him to kill again and make all those who had done this pay.
The demons were dead or buried back in Hell where they belonged, but Savages remained. He could hunt and ruthlessly slaughterallof them. It might be impossible, but he’d give it his best shot.
As he considered it, his hands tightened on Caro, and his fangs lengthened. Veins throbbed in his neck and arms as he restrained himself from rising to hunt.
If he left here, he wouldn’t only kill Savages. He could try telling himself he would, but he knew the truth.
Saber could never control this long enough to keep himself from killing everyone he encountered. He’d destroy anyone in his way, innocent or not, and once he started killing, he wouldn’t stop.
He’d carve a path of wrath across this world, leaving only the dead in his wake. It was all so tempting he could taste their warm blood filling his mouth, feel the flesh tearing apart beneath his hands, and hear the snap of bones.
For a second, his vision blurred, and he lost himself to the insanity before Caro’s scent wafted up to calm him. It helped pacify the madness enough that he could think rationally again.
