Page 77 of Of Wind and Terror

How can I wish death upon someone my mate cares about? I don’t understand why she feels a fondness for the Spring Prince, but I can’t deny that her face lights up when he’s around her.

And if Aleksander’s right…

If he’s truly her mate…

Fuck.

Does this mean I’ll need to protect the arrogant asshole?

I don’t know how I feel about the prospect of Kassandra having more than one mate. I’m a jealous, possessive bastard on the best of days. And on the worst? I’ll stab anyone who so much as looks at Kassandra the wrong way.

How can the universe ask me to share her love and affection?

Or are the fates cruel enough to ask her to choose, breaking her heart, and all of ours, in the process?

Can I allow that to happen?

A tiny hand touches my wrist, the touch feather-light, and I bring my gaze down to Kassandra’s. One of her blonde brows arches, a silent inquiry in her gaze.

When she’s certain she has my attention—as if I’m ever not focusing solely on her—she releases me and signs, “Coin for your thoughts?”

I smirk. “I think my thoughts are worth more than a measly coin. Don’t you agree? Most fae would kill to know what’s going through the Fall Prince’s head.”

“Pain, death, and destruction?” Aleksander quips from behind me.

I don’t bother dignifying that with a response.

Mainly because he wouldn’t be too off base.

I focus on Kassandra and have the irresistible urge to brush a strand of hair behind her ear.

So I do.

Goose bumps erupt on her arms, and red fills her cheeks. She lowers her head with a shy smile.

“I’m just thinking about you,” I confess, making sure to keep my voice low.

I have no doubt Aleksander can hear every word I’m saying, but I’d like to pretend he’s not here.

“Me?” Kassandra’s head snaps up, and confusion splays across her face.

“How different my life has become since you came into it.”

I was a different male before I met her. Bitter. Angry. Cold. I’m still all those things, of course, but a piece of my heart has thawed since coming into contact with my little beast. I’m no longer consumed by anger and hatred. By violence and vengeance. By death and destruction.

“Don’t you mean since you forced me into it?” Kassandra’s posture holds a note of teasing, her perfect pink lips stretched in a miniscule grin, but her eyes are hard. Serious.

Inexplicable guilt fills me. The emotion is almost foreign to me. I certainly can’t remember the last time I felt it.

Looking back on my first meeting with Kassandra and that wretched Madam Herra, I wish I could do everything over again. I forced my mate to suffer, and that’s unforgivable. Hell, even if she wasn’t my mate, I never should’ve allowed her to go through what she did.

I truly am a monster.

I stop walking and grip Kassandra’s chin, forcing her gaze up to mine. I want her to see my sincerity. For the first time in my long life, I’m allowing my walls to crumble and vulnerability to seep in through the cracks.

“I have a lot to atone for where it comes to you, but I can start with this. It’s not enough—nothing I’ll do will ever be enough—but I want you to know how sorry I am.” I huff out a bark of dry, humorless laughter. “I don’t even know what I’m apologizing for. I’ve done horrible things to you. Forced you to heal that fae. Kidnapped you.” Though I’m not overly sorry for that. I’d do it again if it meant having Kassandra in my life. “I’m sorry.”

The surprise on Kassandra’s face morphs into sadness. Tears well in her eyes, causing them to ripple like the tranquil waves of a small lake. She blinks them away.

---