Page 37 of Marked Resistance

“Right. Sorry. What happened to her?”

“She’s still alive.”

“Where?’

“Up north.”

I gasped and placed my hand on my chest.

“She’s Corrus now, and from what I know of the war effort, not long for this world. Corrus is fighting Disaris, Shaye, and Letos. Advisors are saying there’s no way they can continue to fight on three fronts. They’re stretched too thin. If they don’t make a change, they’re going to lose to Disaris, and Disaris isnotgoing to take any prisoners. There’s no chance for reconciliation between her and me. I made my peace with that a long time ago.”

“Has she?”

“We’ll have a conversation at some point.”

“Oh,” I moaned softly and bit my lip.

“Hey,” Xavier turned around. He entered my space and lifted my chin with his finger. His eyes were darkened and locked in with mine. “I said there was no chance we’re getting back together.”

The air between began to heat and shrink. All the nerves in my body were aflame.

“But you just said you’re going to talk to her,” I said in a low tone.

“Atsomepoint. Maybe. But what is definite is she’s my past.”

“What about your future?”

“What about my future?” He asked, his voice a deep growl.

“What does your future hold?” I breathed.

Xavier captured my mouth in a fiery embrace. His kiss made the moon shatter and the star collide. My hands searched his body and rolled over the hard muscles hidden beneath the fabric of his clothing. My body responded to his touch by turning me into a dripping mess.

I can’t.

The thought swirled around in my mind even as the heat from his body made me want to melt. I pulled away and we gazed into each other’s eyes. Where I expected to see surprise, I saw love.

“I can’t,” I whispered.

“I know.”

“I want to.”

“I know,” he repeated. “But you’re going to need it.”

“I don’t need sex right now, Xavier. I need to find my sister.”

Xavier chuckled as a sly smile crossed his very kissable lips. “I’m not talking about sex, Zee.”

Oh? Fuck, I do need sex. I do need to feel him inside me, just…just not right now.

“I’m talking about the heat in the air,” he explained.

Oh.

“Do you feel it?”

“Yes. I thought it was just us,” I whimpered and bit the inside of my lip.