Page 89 of Shifter Marked and Claimed

“No fury. She and her enforcer will only bring trouble. I will help you.” His other hand cupped the back of my head and brought me closer.

My eyelids fluttered shut in anticipation of the feel of his cheek against mine. His exhale warmed my ear.

“No one will be harmed when you take my heart. Including me, dear one.” His hand stroked over my hair. “It’s magic. No blood or consumption.”

“But what do you get out of it?” Zoe asked, helping ground me in reality.

“I get Kelsey forever.”

“You already said you were keeping me forever,” I said.

“I get you forever, willingly.”

“So taking a piece of your heart is going to steal my free will?” I asked.

“No. You will always be you.”

My mind struggled to understand the purpose of what he was asking. His lips skimmed my ear, almost making my eyes roll back in my head.

“Accepting my heart means you are committing to stay with me always.”

The clicking grew so loud it was hard to hear Zoe’s “bad idea, Kells. Don’t do it.”

“Do it,” Vedar whispered, his lips brushing my ear. “Save your friend. Protect your sister. Free yourself from the trap of Uttira.”

He had me at “save your friend” and “protect your sister.”

“I accept a piece of your heart in exchange for your help in saving my friend and protecting my sister for the rest of her life.”

Zoe swore.

Vedar made an ear-splitting sound like a bugle at full blast. I clapped my hands over my ears at the same time light exploded from Vedar, striking me blind as well.

Pain sliced through my chest, spearing me in the heart and robbing me of air. It throbbed and pulsed hot then cold. The cold helped soothe the worst of the pain, leaving only an echoing ache when it faded.

Disoriented, I blinked rapidly and panted while clutching one hand to my chest. The noise abruptly stopped. My ears rang, and spots danced before my eyes as two arms wrapped around me. Vedar’s familiar scent flooded my senses as he rubbed his cheek against mine.

“It is done,” he said. “The pain will ease with the transition. You are safe. You are unhurt. Dear one. Kelsey. My treasure. You are safe.”

He said the same thing again and again as my pulse stuttered and slowed back to its normal pace, and my ears stopped ringing enough to hear his gentle clicking.

“What the fuck was that?” Zoe asked. “Kells, are you okay? Are you still you?”

“I think so,” I said, ducking my head away from Vedar’s cheek-rubbing and resting it on his chest.

He purred and smoothed his hand over the back of my head. Exhaustion pulled at me, encouraging me to melt into his embrace, but I knew I couldn’t give in.

With a fortifying breath, I lifted my head and met his golden gaze.

“I did what you asked. Now help me help my friend.”

He leaned in and ran the tip of his nose up the bridge of mine. My pulse sped up in response. So much touching. I wanted to wrap my arms around his waist and melt into his embrace.

“Where is your friend?” he asked.

“New York.” I cleared my throat and tried to sound less breathless. “I can show you where.”

“Yes. You will ride me.”

---