Page 106 of Kiss of Magic

“It was Dani’s choice,” Lenore said. “This was her destiny. And her selfless sacrifice has saved countless other lives.”

“I don’t give a flying fuck about those other lives. I only care about hers.”

“Youshouldcare. Dani’s fate was written long before she was born and what she achieved tonight mustn’t be trivialized. To do so demeans her courage. Demeansher.”

Blake didn’t answer. He held Dani’s body against his chest and pressed his lips to her hair. Her scent filled his senses. If he closed his eyes, he could almost imagine she was asleep. He barely paid attention as Lenore spoke again.

“You need to leave her to us now, hunter. We will look after her. She will be given a proper coven burial with…”

“No.” He tightened his grip. “Not yet. Please. Just let me stay with her a little longer.”

Lenore relented.

“You have until sunrise, Mr Blake. But when dawn touches the standing stones, we must take her. It is our custom.”

He didn’t look round as she and the rest of the coven retreated. He didn’t care where they went or what they did. He just wanted to be alone with Dani.

For a long time he held her without speaking. He needed to say goodbye but he didn’t know how.

“I can’t believe you’ve done this to me, you contrary witch,” he said at last. He cradled her inert form and studied her face. Her dark lashes lay against her cheek, as if at any moment they might flutter open. “The only woman in the world I actually want to be with, and she turns out to be a hero.”

Yeah, life sucks.He could almost hear her snarky reply and it made him smile.

“Yeah, it does. Thing is, Blue, until I met you I was reasonably happy. Mercenaries like me, we only live for the moment. For the job, for the money. My heart wasn’t built for two, know what I mean? And then you…” his voice cracked. “You showed up and suddenly everything was different. How could you do that to me and then just up and leave?”

He waited to hear her imaginary answer but was met with only silence. He held her until the moon dipped and the first edge of the sun appeared on the horizon. He kissed her on the lips.

“I’m going to miss you, Dani.”

He knew it was time to go but he couldn’t just leave her on the rock. She looked cold. He shrugged off his leather coat and arranged it round her body. He left her face visible. He couldn’t bear to cover it.

“Sleep well.”

His limbs weighed about a thousand tons as he finally dragged himself off the rock. He walked to the edge of the stone circle where the other witches were waiting. Lenore nodded at him.

“Thank you, hunter. For everything.”

“You’ll take care of her?”

“She will get the farewell she deserves. Hereandin Nush’aldaam.”

There was nothing more to say. It was over.

He looked back one last time as the first rays of dawn glimmered through the henge. A shaft of light lit up the altar stone, throwing a golden glow over Dani’s body. Little particles danced in the sunlight around her still form.

She looks like a sleeping goddess,he thought.

And then her eyes opened.

Fifty One

“What happened?” She focused on the coat covering her. “Am I dreaming?”

“Dani!”

Blake strode over to her. Without preamble he pulled her off the altar stone and straight into his arms, kissing her face and hair repeatedly until she pushed him away, laughing.

“Hey, easy tiger. Not complaining, but what’s going on?”

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