Page 161 of Claimed In Darkness

The fire between us turns to desperation, an inferno that threatens to scorch us both until nothing remains.

I crush my mouth against hers, needing her to stay.

I need her to remember what this feels like.

I need her to know I will kill anything, anyone, even myself to keep her breathing.

She kisses me back.

Not like she’s giving up.

Like she’s memorizing me.

Like she’s saying goodbye.

But no, I will never allow it.

When I pull away, my breath is ragged, my grip on her unshakable.

"You are not dying for me,” I declare.

She exhales."You don’t get to decide that."

I laugh.

Dark. Low. Lethal.

"Yes, I do."

She stiffens.

“I will rip this curse out of you,” I vow.

I will shatter that relic into dust.

I will burn this entire world down if it means keeping her alive.

I am not losing her.

Not to the relic.

Not to the curse.

Not to anyone.

And if death wants to take her?—

It’ll have to take me first.

54

NAIRA

Ihave to leave. Now.

Before Zephiran realizes what I’m about to do. I can’t let him stop me.

If I stay—he will have to make a choice.

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