Page 21 of Cursed Magic

“Dammit, Ember.” He lifted his fisted hands, and his ab muscles constricted. A new line of crimson appeared on the bandage over his wound. “You don’t understand what you’re getting yourself into. This isn’t just about you anymore. It’s about the safety of everyone around you.”

I lifted my chin. “And that’s exactly why I need to stay. How can I turn my back on you, the guys, Raven, and Queen Ambrosia after everything you’ve done for me?” I raised my hands, trying to ignore the way my injury screamed in protest. “And, again, I am the only one who can see these shadows! That alone is reason enough for me to stay and help. “

He hung his head, his broad shoulders slumping. The fight seemed to drain out of him, the fatigue and pain of the day catching up. “You don’t understand,” he breathed. “When you’re in danger, I…I lose my mind. It’s like everything else fades away, and all I can focus on is keeping you and everyone you care about safe. Tonight, when I saw that knife coming for your sister, I didn’t even think. I just moved. Because I knew losing her would destroy you, and I couldn’t bear to see you in that kind of pain.”

A lump formed in my throat. Whatever restraint he’d had before tonight had vanished. He’d lowered his guard and exposed his true feelings.

I realized something just as disturbing, and my knees weakened.

I’d do the same for him. I would risk my life for him and anyone he truly cares about.

Whatever we felt for each other was dangerous, and I had to fight it and keep a level head for both our sakes. “I would’ve never wanted or asked for you to risk your life to protect her. Losing you would be just as painful as losingher.” The last sentence tumbled from my mouth without permission, causing my stomach to churn.

His head jerked back ever so slightly, and a faint grin spread across his face. “Is that so?”

My heart raced, and my wolf stirred. She wanted to embrace him, to bridge the gap between us and offer comfort.

But that was the worst thing the two of us could do. Allowing a relationship like this to become stronger would only cause more problems for us later on.

I had no choice but to hold firm, even if it was the last thing I wanted. My tongue felt heavy as I forced out the words. “Yes, it’s true. Losing you would be devastating. But that’s exactly why we need to stopthis.” I pointed at him and then back to myself. “Whatever is happening between us, we can’t let it continue.”

A flicker of hurt flashed across his face and he stilled.

“We have to focus on the bigger picture,” I continued, forcing the words out even as every fiber of my being screamed in protest. “There’s an enemy out there butchering packs, using magic we don’t understand, who probably has a witch that might always be with them. We can’t let our emotions make things even more complicated, no matter how much we want to.”

His expression softened, and he took a step closer to me, increasing the buzz in the air between us. The heat radiating from his body enveloped me, and his scent filled my nose.

“Ember,” he said huskily, “I’ve been trying to fight this since the moment I first saw you at the ceremony where you were to become Reid’s. The reason I was so desperate to leave you after I pulled you from the river was because you tugged at my humanity when I didn’t want the distraction,but thankfully, Kendric, Gage, and Xander showed up and forced my hand. Every day, this connection between us strengthens, and when I woke up in the car after you removed the knife from my side, it intensified tenfold. I can’t keep denying what’s happening between us.”

His fingers ghosted along my cheek. The familiar tingle sent shivers down my spine.

He continued, “Every time we’re together, the fire ignites hotter. My wolf paces in agitation, yearning to be closer to you. The connection between us… It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”

The words resonated deep within me, waking something primal and undeniable. The air between us seemed to crackle with electricity.

I swayed toward him, drawn by an invisible force bolstered by his admission. My resolve weakened with each passing second, and my wolf howled in frustration as I kept standing in place.

I longed to trace the strong line of his jaw and run my fingers through his dark hair.

Every cell in my body surged to life, wanting me to cave.

But I wouldn’t.

Especially since whatever was brewing between us seemed even stronger than my connection to my fated mate, Reid. It shouldn’t be possible. Yet I couldn’t deny the truth.

Cold tendrils of fear circled my heart. It raced, pounding so hard I was sure Ryker could hear it. My wolf shifted within me, clawing at my insides, desperate to take control.

No, I shouted at her, renewing my determination. Reid’s rejection had destroyed my entire world. If I gaveRyker even more of my heart and soul, how would I survive when he changed his mind?

I averted my gaze to the wood floor and ran my toes over the cold smoothness, trying to focus on anything but the man standing before me, baring his soul. I traced a particularly prominent knot with my big toe, feeling the slight indentation in the otherwise flawless surface.

The chill of the floor seeped into my skin, a stark contrast to the warmth radiating from Ryker’s body. I could feel his gaze on me, intense and unwavering, but I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes. Instead, I fixated on the thin gap between two planks, imagining I could slip through it and disappear into the foundations of the house, away from this moment and the impossible choice before me.

I winced. “I’m sorry, I can’t.” A knot twisted in my stomach as I waited for his fury and the kind of brash retort I learned to expect from the man I’d first met.

But that wasn’t what I got.

Instead, silence filled the hallway. The tension was so thick a bitter metallic taste sat heavy on my tongue. The spark between us continued to sizzle, which meant he was still there, so I forced myself to lift my head, bracing for anger or disgust.

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