Page 26 of Definitely Dead

“What the hell?” he demanded, staring down at the mess of yellow powder and shiny glass shards scattered across the tiles. “Was that really necessary?”

“You’re not taking that.”

“Well, not now. You killed it.” He pressed himself into the corner, eyes narrowed and jaw clenched. “Not everything is dangerous just because you don’t like the person who gave it to me.”

“I don’t care if Hades gave it to you.”

“You don’t like him either,” Sunne mumbled under his breath. “Shocker.”

“Don’t be an ass.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it. You’re already doing enough for both of us.”

“Sunne,” he growled, his tone making it clear that he was quickly reaching the end of his patience.

Too bad Sunne didn’t give a damn.

“I just want to sleep!” he yelled, his voice cracking with exhaustion and desperation. “I don’t want to be afraid of my own pillow. Or spend all night fighting alligators. Or getting emotionally wrecked about forgetting to feed a whole farm full of animals. I want to wake up rested, not feeling like I just fought a fucking war in my sleep.”

“I know,lelien,” Tyr responded, his tone gentling. “I know. We’ll figure it out, I promise, but—” He glanced down at the powder on the floor. “—not like this. You don’t even know what he gave you.”

“It’s valerian root,” he said, but even he could hear the lack of conviction in his voice.

“You’re smarter than that,” Tyr snapped back, his expression tinged with disappointment. “When’s the last time you saw neon-yellow valerian that sparkled like a disco ball?”

Dropping his head, he stared down at his shoes and shrugged in defeat. “Never.” In his defense, he’d also never seen a river filled with glowing souls. “I just figured it was magic or something.”

Tyr closed the distance between them, crowding him against the glass wall of the elevator. “Sunne, look at me.”

He really didn’t want to, but he couldn’t think of a good reason to refuse. So he took a deep breath and lifted his head, forcing himself to meet the shifter’s gaze.

“I screwed up. You don’t have to say it.”

Tyr shook his head. “I don’t like Aster. Hell, I don’t like most people. But I wouldn’t stop them from trying to help you.” He reached out, his hand resting on the side of Sunne’s neck, and pressed a thumb under his chin, preventing him from ducking his head again. “I’m not trying to control you,lelien. I’m trying to protect you because I honestly don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”

“Probably something that involves murder,” Sunne quipped back, only half joking. “I have a feeling it wouldn’t be good for the village.”

“Exactly.” A cocky, crooked grin curved the Guardian’s lips. “And you care too much to let that happen, right?”

His breath hitched when Tyr leaned into him, his heart racing with nerves and desire. “I care aboutyou.”

Tyr bent, hovering over him, bringing his face closer. “Lelien, I’ve been well pastcaringsince the first time you smiled at me.” As he spoke, he brushed the pad of his thumb across Sunne’s lips. “You know who I am.HowI am.”

Unable to move, Sunne released a shaky breath and nodded.

“I haven’t given a damn about anyone but myself in a long time. Then you came along.”

He didn’t believe that at all. Tyr had given up everything to follow Orrin into the Underworld. No one did that out of duty alone.

“What are you trying to say?” He had a pretty good idea, but he selfishly wanted to hear the words, to know he wasn’t alone in what he felt.

“I’m saying that I can’t live without you. I wouldn’t want to, and yeah, I’d probably annihilate the whole town if anything ever happened to you.” Then he closed the last couple of inches, bringing their lips together in an achingly tender kiss. “I’m saying I love you,lelien.”

Sunne thought he’d been prepared. He was wrong. Those words, spoken in that rough, needy voice, completely undid him. His head spun, his heart crashed against his ribs, and everything around him dimmed until only Tyr remained.

While he had never been in love before, he didn’t need a map and a decoder ring to understand his own heart. The fact that he had never felt this way about anyone before—like losing them would destroy him—only added more credence to what he already knew. What he’d known for a while now.

“I love you, too, Tyr.” He grinned when the doors of the cab finally slid open, as if the Tower had been waiting for just the right moment. “Make me yours.”

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