Page 125 of The Silent
“You’re alwayshungry.”
He bent over and kissed her lips. “And you always feed me. What a lucky scribeIam.”
Heat marked her face. “I wonder if I will ever get used to yourattention.”
“I hope not. I love the color of your cheeks when Iscandalizeyou.”
“Leo,” shewhispered.
“Kyra.”
She smiled against his skin.Are youreallymine?
I am. I am foreveryours.
She smiled harder. “It’seasiernow.”
“Youheardme?”
Shenodded.
“When can we go away?” he asked. “I want to make you mine. I want the mating ceremony with you. I want to mark your skin. Make my vow.” He kissed the top of her head. “Sayyes,Kyra.”
Kyra wanted it so badly, but there was still a hesitation in the back of her mind. “What if I never learn to sing? It will be an uneven mating. You told me yourself. Only my song can complete the ritual, and there is no guarantee I will ever sing. Not like a realIrina.”
“Kyra—”
“I know… I know you think I’ll find my voice,” she said. “But that’s wishful thinking, Leo. I do believe I’ll find a voice, but it might not be what you’reimagining.”
“Then I will be content with your song, whatever it might be. Butana sepora,Ava will teach you. I knowshewill.”
“Are you sureofthat?”
“Should I call herrightnow?”
“I don’t know…” Kyra gathered her courage and spoke her secret fear. “What if it’s not good for me to learn, Leo? My blood is of the Fallen. What if learning Irina magic unlocks something darkinme?”
Leo pulled her away from his chest and tilted her chin up. He was frowning. “Do you reallybelievethat?”
“I don’t know.”Ifearit.
I see no darknessinyou.
“There is darkness,” she whispered. “Leo, there is anger. There is… rage. And bitterness. Andeverything—”
“Everything that makes us real,” he said. “Everything that gives us humanity. We are not angels, and I thank the heavens for it. We love. And we suffer when we lose. We are jealous and generous. We are—none of us—wholly light or wholly dark. I have darknesstoo,Kyra.”
She shook her head. “You aretoogood.”
“I am not perfect. Far from it.” He smiled. “Though I’ll take your admiration for as long as I have it. No doubt, our years together will lend reality to yourdreams.”
“They’re not dreams,” she said. “I have seen evil. And I have seen good.” She kissed him gently. “You aresogood.”
“I’m glad,” he said. “Because that means I am deservingofyou.”
“Leo—”
“Sayyes.”
