Page 55 of The King's Man
I found myself equally disgusted that I could even think of taking her when she was so recently assaulted, yet breathless with the anticipated joy of having her.
But I would not touch my mate until she wanted me. The battle was not for the choice, but merely to calm my flesh.
She was my One. My Pair. Mymate.She was precious. And she would be protected to the last drop of blood in my veins—
I caught myself, observed my own thoughts, and my breath stopped.
Staring into the dark, but seeing nothing but the black of my own wing, those words rolled around in my head, butting up against the glimpses I’d seen of Melek with Yilan—the way theyorbitedeach other. The fearless, joyful draw.
Mate.
The word demanded attention. Refused to be denied. I couldn’t stop thinking about it and what itactuallymeant.
Mate. Diadre is my mate.
The reality landed in my chest, punching through my ribs to turn me inside out.
I was a fool. Anutterfool.
Diadre was my mate. My soul. What had I been thinking? I couldn’tresista soulbond.
Holy shit.
I’d seen it in her, felt it in myself, and somehow convinced myself it was a choice. That I had some say in this. There was no choice. Why would I choose anything but her?
Joy, fear, and thrill coiled in my chest. My pulse sped.
Should I tell her so she understood? So she could breathe? So she’d know that I would literallydieto keep her safe? But as my heart thudded and my soul drove me forward, as I considered nudging her awake, holding her, whispering to her, making her see it… I realized that she’d been hurt. If she became aware of the bond and didn’t want it, it wouldtormenther.
But then, my heart argued, it was possible completing the bond would help her. I’d heard that as the bond completed, hearts and even bodies could be healed…
I knew she’d felt those crackles when she touched me. I knew she’d sensed me, whether she’d understood what she felt or not. Would she want it? And what torture awaited us both if she didn’t? But then the thought echoed…
If I don’t resist, this is going to kill both of us.
My heart sank, clawing at my soul as it shrieked, dragged down and away.
Diadre stirred, and I realized I was holding her too tightly. I had to force myself to loosen my grip.
She rolled her head and her eyes fluttered. “What’s wrong?” she breathed.
Her sweet, quiet voice speared through me and I closed my eyes against the wash of need. “Nothing, beautiful. Go back to sleep.” The words just came. I didn’t think them. But what would she hear? My eyes went wide, but I breathed again a moment later when it was obvious she hadn’t woken properly because, with a heavy sigh, she threw that arm across my chest and snuggled up, resting her head on my chest so her breath fluttered across my collarbones.
“Thank you,” she breathed, then her body went slack again and I was left there, head pounding, body aching, heart shivering.
Mate.
Mine.
But for how long?
Swallowing my fear, I curled my other arm around her within the circle of my wings and pulled her close, tucking her head under my chin and curling myself around her so that nothing could reach us. Nothing could touch her, but me.
And then I prayed like I’d never prayed before.
22.The Plea
~ DIADRE ~
