Page 25 of Secrets & Curses of Fate

“Yes, do not stop doing that.”

Haden was getting more and more frantic with his thrusts. I stared at his face, but the feeling of tipping over the edge made me close my eyes tightly.?

“Eyes on me; watch me when you cum.”?

My eyes fluttered open as my orgasm tore through me. “Haden.” I moaned out as he slammed into me, desperate to cum with me. He buried himself deep inside of me with a final moan. He panted as he collapsed on top of me, and we both lay there tangled in each other’s bodies, our breathing filling the space. After a minute, Haden looked up at me and gave me a grin so big that my heart squeezed.?

“How does anyone get things done when they can feel like that all the time?”?

I laughed, and he leaned up to give me a chaste kiss.?

“You own me, Ardella. I am yours for my entire existence.”?

Tears stung my eyes as I pulled him down and hugged him to me tightly, once again begging the heavens to let me keep him as my mate.?

“Will you stay the night with me?”?

“Yes.” I smiled as we both wiggled our way under his blankets. Then he pulled me back against him, his arm wrapping around me like I would disappear if he let me go.

Chapter 7

Della

Haden handed me a plate of food and kissed the top of my head as he sat down next to me. We had been holed up in the house for three days now, eating, sleeping, and making love. This was everything I wanted.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked.?

“How lucky I am to have you.” I smiled when he snapped his gaze up to mine, and I could see a war waging in his eyes.?

“I’m in love with you,” he suddenly blurted out.?

I wondered when he was actually going to say it to me. He had told me in every way possible without using the words, but I still wanted to hear them.?

“I love you, Haden,” I said without thought. He sighed with relief. “Did you think I didn’t?”?

“No, I knew you did, but hearing it just does something to me.” He took a bite of his food and looked at me. He was thinking of something again. “I’m confused about something. If a god gets married, shouldn’t their mate become immortal? How fair is itfor you to marry someone and outlive them, just to do it all over again?”

My chest immediately felt like it was being stabbed. Gods, I was going to have to tell him about my mating bond. I set the plate of food down and already felt the tears stinging my eyes. Haden set his plate down and went to grab me, but I stood up out of his way.?

“Storm…”?

My gaze traced over his face like it was the last time I would see it. Haden was going to be devastated, and there was nothing I could do to fix the pain this would cause him. I just hoped that he loved me enough to believe that I wanted him.?

“You asked me why a goddess was hanging around mortal fae, and I told you I didn’t want to tell you, but I know I need to be honest with you. I just don’t want you to be upset with me when I tell you.”?

Haden looked at me with fear in his eyes. I waited to gather my courage, but deep down I knew this was going to upset him. How could it not?

“Gods get a fated mate,” I said.?

Haden’s reaction made me pause. His fear disappeared, and a big smile took over his face. Guilt slammed into my chest.?

“You are not mine.” I shook my head. His smile fell instantly. Haden stood and began pacing back and forth in the bedroom.?

“How is that possible?” he asked. “But you can reject him and pick me?” he asked with way too much hope. His big, stormy eyes looked at me, pleading with me to lie to him and tell him that I could.

“No, gods don’t get to reject their mates, but I already picked you.”?

His eyes filled with unshed tears as he glanced around frantically. Haden’s anger and hurt filled the air, making it tense and hard to breathe.

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