Page 67 of Kiss of Magic

“Yeah, life sucks.”

She made the final push. And suddenly Denara was engulfed in flames. Her skin bubbled and blackened as the witch-fire consumed her. There was a shrill, heart-stopping screech of pain. And then the flames winked out, and she was gone.

Dani looked over at Blake.

“You honestly thought I’d side with that nutjob?”

“Never doubted you for a minute.”

“Yes, you did.”

“Maybe for half a minute.”

“If you think I’m anything like that Nazi bitch…”

“Easy, Blue,” he said mildly. “I know you better than that.”

With an effort she unclenched her fists.

“You took the dampener off. I didn’t expect that. Thank you.”

“I had no choice.”

“Of course you did. You could have left me in pain. Called Denara’s bluff.” Blake didn’t answer and she tilted her head. “Don’t tell me you were worriedabout me?”

“Don’t get excited, princess. I had to make a spur of the moment decision.”

“And the release words. ‘I love you’. Really?That’swhat you chose?”

“Had to be something I wouldn’t say by accident.”

Dani avoided his gaze. Goddess, she hoped he hadn’t seen her reaction when he’d said it. She clicked her fingers and the rope fell away from Blake’s wrists.

“Your arm’s pretty bad. Let me see if I can do something about it.”

“You can fix it with magic?”

“I’m no healer but I should be able to realign the bone and get it to set. Your ribs, too. Won’t be perfect, though.”

“I’ll take it. Beats drinking vampire blood.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Don’t worry about it. Do your thing, Blue.”

She knelt beside him and held her hands over his shattered forearm.

“And afterwards, you can buy me pancakes. I’m starving.”

“Blue, we have to talk. Now that the dampener’s off…”

She flashed him an impatient look.

“Pancakes. Then talk. Deal?”

He gave a tired smile.

“Deal.”

---