Page 87 of The Edge of Dawn

He knew.

He never could have imagined it would happen to someone like him.

That was why he’d lulled her to sleep and pulled her into his meditation: into this cold, silent world that he’d woven from the fabric of his consciousness and his memories.

That was the real reason why.

And now she was here, and she’d looked him straight in the eye and told him she didn’t care what he’d done.

He tightened his grip on her warm little hand, entwining his fingers with hers as he drew her into the grove of trees.

The forest was a recent thing. He didn’t know how or why it had appeared, but it had grown after he’d been captured by Tarak and placed in restraints—to prevent him from killing himself, of course. Then, they’d sedated him for a long time, a most welcome mercy because it allowed him to escape to the one place where he couldn’t be tormented by anyone.

At least the Darkstar Kordolians were more merciful than his Mistress.

She’d never allowed him the mercy of sleep when he was in pain.

They walked through dappled light and slender trunks, and the canopy above swayed, brushing against the stars. The ground underfoot turned from sand to soft soil, covered in a dense carpet of tiny-leafed foliage that was cool under his bare feet.

She was quiet as he brought her to a clear pool in the middle of the forest. Normally, the pool was icy-cold, a temperature just above freezing, but considering she was human—and humans tended to prefer warmer climates—he’d set the temperature to warm.

Even though it wasn’t his first preference.

He preferred the near-icy cold, where he could submerge himself in silent depths.

It was the place he felt safest of all.

Especially from himself.

“Can I ask you something?” At last, she spoke, and the sound of her voice was like the softest fabric slipping around him, pulling tight until he was wrapped up in her presence.

“Go ahead.” An indulgent smile curved his lips. She was here, in his world, completely at his mercy, and yet she wasn’t afraid at all, and rightly so, for he had no intention of giving her anything but the very best.

It was the first time he’d ever felt hospitable toward any living being.

How quickly things had changed. He’d surprised even himself.

“Did you create all of this… by yourself? Where did it all come from?” She looked around in fascination, starlight dancing across her lovely features.

She was… curious.

Perhaps his world, his inner sanctum, actually… pleased her.

An unfamiliar emotion filled him.

Was this… pride?

“It grew over time,” he said gruffly, a hitch in his voice. “I don’t really know how. It’s made of fragments of places I’ve been. Things I’ve experienced.”

“After all the noise and the chaos… it’s the perfect antidote.”

They stood at the edge of the pool. Jade dipped one of her bare feet in the water. He stared at the elegant curvature of her foot. Humans had short toes, and their nails were transparent instead of black.

Her foot was rather… adorable.

Her entire being was adorable. Everything about her was soft and gentle. She radiated tranquility.

Warmth rose into his cheeks—another first.

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