Total pages in book: 362
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
I frowned. “About what?”
“You wanted me to move on,” he reminded me, gnawing at the words as if they left a bad taste in his mouth. “You wanted me to find a way to have my kardia restored and find someone to love. You actually said that to me, even though there is no way you, of all people, would’ve been okay with that.”
“I said that because I was dying.”
“Likely excuse.”
“I think it’s a very good excuse,” I countered. “And what does you of all people mean? I spoke the truth when I said I wanted you to find love.”
“That’s bullshit, Sera.”
“It’s not.”
His laugh was full of blades. “If I had somehow managed to restore my kardia and actually found someone else, you’re telling me you wouldn’t have found a way to haunt my ass?”
Crossing my arms below my breasts, I lifted my chin. “Absolutely not.”
An eyebrow rose.
I held his stare.
He waited, then asked, “Really?”
“Yes.”
Ash tipped his head down, stopping when only a few inches separated us. “I know who you are, Sera.”
“I would hope so,” I retorted.
“I know you are far more caring than you acknowledge. I know you’re capable of unbelievable acts of kindness and sacrifice, which is only rivaled by your fierceness and stubbornness,” he said, the glow of eather behind his pupils pulsing. “But you are not some holy, altruistic creature.”
My lips pursed. “Well, I can’t deny the last part.”
“No, you cannot.” Ash slid his hand over my folded arm, curling his fingers around one forearm. “Because, like me, you have a little bit of a monster in you. You’re capable of cold, quick retribution. And I’d be lying if I said forgiveness pumps just as hotly in your blood as vengeance does.”
I couldn’t deny that I had far more monstrous tendencies than he did. He didn’t attempt to wash away the stain of the blood he shed. He memorialized the lives he felt responsible for. My hands had never been stained. I didn’t live with the lives I took. That would send most fleeing in the opposite direction.
Ash tugged my arms apart and brought his mouth to mine, nipping at my lower lip. “You give without thought, and you can take without hesitation. And, liessa, you’re possessive.”
“As if you’re not,” I said. “Did you forget how you basically promised to murder anyone I sought pleasure with? Or was that just…?” I smiled tightly. “More talk.”
“Oh, I haven’t forgotten. And I would’ve skinned the fucker alive, friend or foe.” He kissed me, flicking his tongue over my fang. A sharp slice of pleasure cut through me, stealing my breath. “And you know what?”
“What?” I breathed.
“My promise to eviscerate whoever you used to satisfy your needs made you…” His lips brushed mine. “Wet.”
My chest rose on a sharp inhale. A mixture of embarrassment and desire scorched my cheeks. Well, it was mostly desire, with a tiny, barely-there dash of shame because he spoke the damn truth.
“And I know you would do the same. That part of me, right or wrong, recognizes that side of you. You love as fiercely as you hate.” He lifted his head. “And just so we’re clear, I believe you meant what you asked of me. It is the kindness in you that wanted me to find happiness. To live. But you wouldn’t have rested peacefully knowing I was with another.”
I opened my mouth but then shut it again. He started to grin. I had meant what I’d said. When I thought I was dying, I’d wanted Ash to finally and truly live. But would I have been at rest? Without him? Or would I have been one of those souls who refused to cross over? Deep down, I knew the answer. “Okay, I might’ve haunted you.”
“No shit.”
My eyes narrowed. “But I would’ve done it lovingly.”
A laugh rumbled from his chest as he dropped his forehead to mine. “You are…adorable.”
“Adorable?”
“Uh-huh.” He brushed his lips over mine. “An adorably faulty Primal.”
I moved to smack his chest, but he caught my hand and returned his cheek to his other hand.
He brought my palm to his mouth and dropped a kiss to the center. “Anyway, going back to the Primal changes.” He lowered my hand to my stomach. “Have you noticed anything else yet, other than your heightened vision?”
I thought that over. “I don’t think so—” I stopped myself, realizing there was something else. The intuition that was more a sense of knowing.
“I don’t know if I mentioned it or not,” I began, “but there’s this uncanny sense of intuition I didn’t have before. Answers—or knowledge—just form in my head at times. I experienced a little of it even before you Ascended me.” I gave a small shake of my head. “It sounds ridiculous, but didn’t your father have the ability of foresight? One he wasn’t born with but developed upon his Ascension?”