Page 96 of The Edge of Dawn

“It is what it is, but it’s no less real than if we’d been together in the other world.”

“This is no less real than the world we usually inhabit?”

“Why should it be?”

“I’ll take your word for it, then. Gladly.”

“You should. Always.”

The cursed pull was becoming stronger. He didn’t know how much longer he could remain here.

Which bastard dares? He’ll pay for this.

“Look at me,” he commanded.

She propped herself up on one arm and looked down at him, and she was the most glorious thing he’d ever seen. Her lips were slightly parted, her cheeks flushed, her hair tousled, and her eyes filled with wonder.

His breath caught.

It was the first time he’d perceived her in full color.

He could have stayed like this for an eternity, content to simply gaze at her, but he was about to disappear, so he kissed her deeply, savoring every last drop of her.

And she did the same.

“Come back soon, Dragek,” she whispered as he faded away, forcibly dragged back to the dimension where things were cold and harsh and brutal.

But he could be those things, too. Just not to her. Not ever.

Rest awhile, my Sarien. Don’t worry about a thing.

Because even the death-god couldn’t stop him from coming back to her.

THIRTY-TWO

He was back in his body, back to reality, and the feeling of pure escape and bliss and her was just a precious memory that he carefully wrapped and sealed in the innermost sanctum of his heart.

His eyes snapped open. He was on his feet, moving faster than ever before, lashing out at the one who’d dared to lay a hand on him.

Why was he so fast all of a sudden?

It didn’t matter.

Someone was here, and they’d gotten closer than they should have. Normally, he would have sensed them coming from a kulik away, but this time, he’d dropped his guard.

Dragek’s hand found the intruder’s neck. He propelled himself forward, fuelled by anger, overcome with an overwhelming urge to kill.

Without thinking, he squeezed his attacker’s neck.

The intruder’s hand went up, wrapping around his wrist, gripping him with formidable power.

Stop. It’s just me.

Dragek faltered as Ashrael’s mindvoice snapped him back to reality. He stared back at his once-enemy, the Silent One who had given him a chance to be something else.

Ashrael went perfectly still, refusing to retaliate even though he could have fought back with immense and lethal force.

He let Dragek wrap his hand around his neck.

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