Page 81 of Heart of Fire
He’d known then she belonged to him, and he would have her. He’d thought he could burn the feeling out of his blood once he slaked this reckless thirst on herflesh.
What he hadn’t understood was that reaching out and merely tasting her fury would never be enough. He couldneverslake thisthirst.
But the cost would be tremendous. Freyja weakened him, for suddenly, he had far too much to lose. Not himself. Not his people, or his court. But her. The one being who owned hisheart.
“Yes,” he breathed, taking a step toward her. “Myundoing.”
“And you’re mine,” she shot back, no longer retreating. “I am mortal. And this... whatever this is between us... has an expiration date.” Her expression suddenly turned entreating. “I have made some decisions in the last few days. I am no longer ashamed of what I am, nor will I ever hide from myself again. I am powerful and dangerous, and I... I love you. I know this now, but the practical side of my nature understands that loving you does not mean there are no more obstacles to surmount. You will not age, Rurik. And I will. Will you still love me when I am an old woman, and you are a young man? What of children? I’ve always yearned for them, deep in my secret heart, but your people will not accept my mating withyou.”
Rurik reached for her, but she darted under his arm again, igniting all of his predatory impulses. “I speak of love, and she throws logic in myface.”
“One of us must be practical,” Freyja whispered, wrapping her arms aroundherself.
Rurik cupped her cheek, caressing her silken skin. “I used to think we had an ending too,” he whispered, sensing how much she wanted him to convince her there was a chance. “But I was wrong. There is no beginning or ending when it comes to us. Thedrekispeak of the other half of their soul, a being so twined together with theirs that when they find them, it is like realizing how empty you have always felt, and staring at the one being who completes you. You’re my twin flame, Freyja. You’re my forever. And I will rail against the stars themselves if they seek to partus.”
“I think the stars might be yourundoing.”
He gave her a sleek, predatory smile. “Then you know nothing, little mouse. Adreki’slifespan is tied to their twin flame. We will age together if you accept this mating bond. And as for children, if anyone dared touch ours then they would face my wrath. Perhaps thedrekineed to accept a new world order. But lying with you tonight changes everything, Freyja. The last time our bodies met, I was not entirely certain what was happening to me. Now I do. I’m mating with you. Claiming you again completes that bond, and there is no going back from this point.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “It’s yourchoice.”
Questions danced in her mismatched eyes, making her gaze distant. Rurik bit her lip. “What wasthat?”
“What waswhat?”
“That doubt in youreyes.”
Freyja swallowed, her eyes wary, as if he suddenly had the power to destroy her. “If I am your forever, then why would you call me yourundoing?”
He brushed a strand of wheat-gold hair from her eyes, stroking it with a tenderness he’d never felt before he met her. It was a curious sensation. “Freyja, Magnus and Andri didn’t just come here of their own accord. They were sent here by my mother to kill me. I told you once about my exile, and my mother.” A shudder ran through him. “Loving you weakens me. If my mother wants to strike at me, then now she has a means to do it. I would rip her throat out if she dared to harm you, but I don’t know if I can protect you. Not from an entire court ofdrekiwho are loyal to my mother.” He finally exhaled, “You are my undoing, Freyja, but I am your destruction. They will kill you for loving me. You must knowthis.”
He could not keep the truth fromher.
Even if it destroyed this fledgling hope that beat in his chest. A dream of a better existence. A promise he had been searching for, all hislife.
Freyja frowned up at him. “They cantry.”
“Freyja—”
“No,” she told him fiercely, pressing two fingers to his lips. “All my life I never dared yearn for more. And the one time when I could see my heart’s true desire was when you walked into my life, and I pushed you away because I feared the way you made me feel. You nearly died, Rurik. Because of me. But you didn’t. And in that moment I swore an oath to the gods, both old and new, that I would never turn my back on my fate everagain.”
“I owe my people a chance at freedom,” he said. “Andri wants me to challenge Stellan, and take my mother'sthrone.”
“Do you want yourthrone?”
His heart seized in his chest. It had been all his father ever dreamed of. Everything Rurik had been raised to reach for. But matched against Freyja, it was little more than a cold, stone throne, and a heartless court. “Not if I cannot have you. I love you.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “And I understand little the emotions that rage within me, but... I cannot give youup.”
“Then let them come,” she breathed. “I am not without my defenses,dreki-mine.”
His heart skipped a beat in his chest. “There are others who can take the throne. Others I trust.” His thumbs caressed her mouth. “But Andri is right. I cannot walk away from my people. I want to mate with you, but duty compels me to go to war for mypeople.”
“I love you,” she breathed, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “And your words terrify me. But I am done with fear. I am done with regret. And if your mother, or your uncle, or your fellowdrekitry to come between us, then I will face them at yourside.”
“Freyja.” Heshuddered.
“I accept your bond,” she whispered. “Forever and ever, no matter who tries to tear usapart.”
A distant rumble of thunder echoed and he glanced to the walls, before looking back at her. Lightning danced in her eyes, the hum of power whispering through herveins.
Yes.His heart soared. This was just the beginning, and yet it was their beginning. He captured her mouth, his thumb stroking that wet tear from her cheek as he kissed her. “Everything and forever,” he breathed, tracing the corner of her mouth, his fingers delving into her silkyhair.
