Page 4 of Born of Blood and Ash

He laughed, the sound still unshackled. “As if I would everconsider such a thing. Even if it were possible, which it’s not.” He caught myhand, pulling it away from my hair. “There’s no one else for me but you. Therenever has been,” he said, and my breath snagged, our gazes locking. “And therenever will be.”

“There is no one but you,” I swore. “Ever.”

“I know.” His jaw hardened just a fraction, but his gaze wasstill soft and warm. “Which is why I’m still a little angry with you.”

I frowned. “About what?”

“You wanted me to move on,” he reminded me, gnawing at thewords as if they left a bad taste in his mouth. “You wanted me to find a way tohave my kardia restored and findsomeone to love. You actually said that to me, even though there is no way you,of all people, would’ve been okay with that.”

“I said that because I was dying.”

“Likely excuse.”

“I think it’s a very good excuse,” I countered. “And whatdoes you of all people mean? I spoke the truth when I said I wantedyou to find love.”

“That’s bullshit, Sera.”

“It’s not.”

His laugh was full of blades. “If I had somehow managed torestore my kardia and actuallyfound someone else, you’re telling me you wouldn’t have found a way to haunt myass?”

Crossing my arms below my breasts, I lifted my chin.“Absolutely not.”

An eyebrow rose.

I held his stare.

He waited, then asked, “Really?”

“Yes.”

Ash tipped his head down, stopping when only a few inchesseparated us. “I know who you are, Sera.”

“I would hope so,” I retorted.

“I know you are far more caring than you acknowledge. I knowyou’re capable of unbelievable acts of kindness and sacrifice, which is onlyrivaled by your fierceness and stubbornness,” he said, the glow of eather behind his pupils pulsing. “But you are not someholy, altruistic creature.”

My lips pursed. “Well, I can’t deny the last part.”

“No, you cannot.” Ash slid his hand over my folded arm,curling his fingers around one forearm. “Because, like me, you have a littlebit of a monster in you. You’re capable of cold, quick retribution. And I’d belying if I said forgiveness pumps just as hotly in your blood as vengeancedoes.”

I couldn’t deny that I had far more monstrous tendenciesthan he did. He didn’t attempt to wash away the stain of the blood he shed. Hememorialized the lives he felt responsible for. My hands had never beenstained. I didn’t live with the lives I took. That would send most fleeing inthe opposite direction.

Ash tugged my arms apart and brought his mouth to mine,nipping at my lower lip. “You give without thought, and you can take withouthesitation. And, liessa, you’re possessive.”

“As if you’re not,” I said. “Did you forget how youbasically promised to murder anyone I sought pleasure with? Or was that just…?”I smiled tightly. “More talk.”

“Oh, I haven’t forgotten. And I would’ve skinned the fuckeralive, friend or foe.” He kissed me, flicking his tongue over my fang. A sharpslice of pleasure cut through me, stealing my breath. “And you know what?”

“What?” I breathed.

“My promise to eviscerate whoever you used to satisfy yourneeds made you…” His lips brushed mine. “Wet.”

My chest rose on a sharp inhale. A mixture of embarrassmentand desire scorched my cheeks. Well, it was mostly desire, with a tiny,barely-there dash of shame because he spoke the damn truth.

“And I know you would do the same. That part of me, right orwrong, recognizes that side of you. You love as fiercely as you hate.” Helifted his head. “And just so we’re clear, I believe you meant what you askedof me. It is the kindness in you that wanted me to find happiness. To live. Butyou wouldn’t have rested peacefully knowing I was with another.”

I opened my mouth but then shut it again. He started togrin. I had meant what I’d said. When I thought I was dying, I’dwanted Ash to finally and truly live. But would I have been at rest?Without him? Or would I have been one of those souls who refused to cross over?Deep down, I knew the answer. “Okay, I might’ve haunted you.”

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