Page 85 of Shackled to the World
Physical pain was easy, she used it to fuel herself.
This?
This she didn’t know how to handle.
She tried to swallow, tried to breathe, but couldn’t seem to get enough air in her lungs to make them work. Logan dragged himself upright, leaning his back against the seat, chest heaving, the small motions exhausting him. He opened his arms, and Xander carefully deposited her sideways across his lap.
She sat on the floor of the van, between his splayed legs, afraid to move.
Afraid she would shatter.
Logan blew out a shaky breath, then gently placed his hand on her back, running his fingers lightly up and down her spine. After a moment, the tightness in her chest eased a fraction, and she became aware that he was speaking.
“You don’t have to see me anymore. I’ll leave. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. It’s not like I’ll be any good to the team anyway. I—”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Annora turned and glared at him.
He swallowed hard, his throat bobbing painfully, and he quickly dropped his gaze when she looked at him. “I’m damaged. Broken. I can barely feel my kitsune. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to shift again. I’m useless. I won’t even be able to protect you. You need a mate you can rely on to keep you safe.”
His voice broke on the last word, and the panicked buzz in her brain quieted. Hesitantly, she reached out and rested her hand on his shoulder. He sucked in a sharp breath, his head snapping up.
“I thoughtyouhatedme,” she spoke in a broken whisper. “You have every right to hate me.”
He scowled down at her, his split lip busting open again. “What the hell made you think such a thing?”
“My uncle—”
“Is an asshole.” He shook his head as if she was a foolish child. “What he did was not your fault.”
“But if it wasn’t for me, none of this would’ve happened.” She gazed down at her lap, twisting her fingers together. “He never would’ve come into your life, never would’ve touched you.”
A vicious growl rumbled between them, and he grabbed her arms, forcing her to look up at him, wincing at the harsh movement, but refusing back down. “I’m glad it was me and not you. I wouldn’t trade even a second of the time we’ve had together. Every bit of pain was worth it, because it brought you into my life.”
Annora searched his face for the truth.
His blue eyes never wavered, and the knot in her throat threatening to strangle her since he’d been taken finally relaxed. Tears blurred her eyes, and she quickly blinked them away. “You’re not damaged in my eyes. You’re perfect, and I wouldn’t trade you for anyone.”
His grip tightened on her arm, his voice fierce and ragged. “Tell me you mean it.”
“Of course I mean it, you idiot.” She leaned closer, resting her forehead against his. “I’m going to kiss you now.”
He swallowed hard, his breathing ragged, and she’d swear he was nervous, which was ridiculous. He was a known womanizer. Her inexperienced fumbling should’ve made him take off running, not make him look at her like she was a goddess come to life.
Not wanting to hurt him, she closed the distance between them and gently pressed her lips against his. His mouth parted on a groan, and the darkness inside her rose. It mingled with her breath, leaving her and entering him.
She pulled away as he sucked in a startled gasp. His eyes went wide, then fluttered shut and he slumped sideways. Panic grabbed her by the throat, and she quickly caught him, gently laying him down.
“What the fuck did I do?” Her hands shook, and she quickly released him and scrambled back, pressing herself against the door, terrified she would hurt him even more.
Camden scooped her up onto his lap, while Xander leaned down and checked Logan over. “He’s fine, just dropped into a healing sleep.”
Her heart hiccupped against her ribs, and she glared at him. “You promise?”
Xander nodded, easing Logan into a more comfortable position. “His worry that you’d reject him kept him from surrendering fully to the sleep until he spoke with you.” Xander leaned back into his seat and faced her. “If you don’t believe me, you can check for yourself.”
She didn’t think he meant by checking Logan’s pulse. Annora hesitated, not sure she trusted the afterworld the same way she used to, not after the way it nearly took her over.
Camden leaned forward, his face brushing lightly against hers. “Trust yourself. We won’t let you fall.”
