Page 134 of Her Psycho Beasts

Tears spill, because it hurts so much to think of yet another loss. Of another type of grief. But for him, I would do it.

Scythe rises from the boulder and it’s almost in slow motion as he strides over and pulls me upright, forcing me to look at him. “I’m not above admitting when I am wrong, Aurelia.” His voice is like cracked glass. “And I was wrong about you. I should have never made a blood contract with your father. If I’d known what he planned for you, I would never have given you up to him. It makes me sick to my bones that I almost subjected you to the same thing that I?—”

He cuts himself off, breathing hard, his eyes boring into mine, spilling over with emotion he won’t, or can’t, emote out loud.

My vision blurs and my voice trembles. “I know, Scythe.” It hurts to see him like this. Gods, ithurts.“I know.”

We stare at each other for a long, intense moment that might have me break my resolve entirely. But I won’t. I can’t lose myself in this moment. It’s too important for simple lust.

“Can I touch you?” I whisper, blinking away my tears so I can see him better.

He blinks before inclining his head stiffly.

A smile touches my lips because I know exactly what he’s thinking. And that’s exactly why I reach up to hold his face between my hands gently and press a chaste kiss to first his left cheek, then his right.

Those sharp eyes follow my movements so closely, and uncharacteristically widen as I purposefully and carefully step away.

“Our fathers were fucked up, Scythe.” I clutch the towel tightly around myself. “But we are nothing like them. I know your heart. And it’s far more beautiful than anything else about you.”

I turn away, fully intending to leave him with his own thoughts.

The scuff of his foot is the only warning I get before I’m spun back around, firm lips crushing mine.

The kiss turns into a bite on my lower lip, bruising and harsh, before he buries his hand in my wet hair, tilting my head up and letting me see the forbidden, mad desire in his blazing ocean eyes.

Chapter 68

Scythe

For the first time in my life, I finally understand the intense desire other beasts feel when they see me. Because the way I feel for Aurelia now… It’s maddening. A desire so intense that Ineedher to look at me. Ineedher to smile at me and give me her singular attention. The thought of someone else touching her makes me want to tear the world apart.

My reality roars around me. It screams. It shouts. It’s torment and grief and pure, malevolent evil that I cannot control.

Her words mean so much to my tired, bleeding heart. And she has to know exactly how much they mean. This,at least,Icancontrol.

“I don’t want you to forget this night, Aurelia,” I say. What I really mean is,I don’t want you to forget me.

Soft pink lips curve upwards, and her face, lit with the ephemeral green sheen of the glow worms above, makes her look like something from another world.

Just like me.

“Safe word.” My broken voice is the sound of fraying restraint as my hands tighten around the tender flesh of her arms. “I need to know that you remember your safe word.”

“F-Fairy bread,” she stutters as my hands fall to her waist. “Fairy bread.”

Relief washes down my spine. “Good girl.”

She blushes, and it will forever entice me. The way her blood thrums around her body, powerful and sweet. At least I would have those sacred drops with me forever.

I leave her to sort through my small pile of clothes. Finding a black shirt, I tear a strip off the front, considering tearing off a second.

But no, I want to see those eyes looking at me, and only me.

When I stand and turn around, I freeze for a moment. She stands before me, her naked body calling to me like a siren. Her long black hair is still wet and wild about her shoulders. Blue eyes gaze at me and she bites her lip as she glances down at my hands.

My cock fills with blood.

Shaking my head in awe of her, I make my way over, pull her hands behind her back, and staring down into her eyes, tie her wrists together.

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