Page 68 of Nidev and Lyric

“Yes,” he said, regret softening his deep voice.

She again regarded the dark looking paste. “Is it… bullshit?” She sputtered a giggle when his laugh boomed out, the awful memory almost worth it.

He was back across the table with that perfect mouth. “I’m so fucking sorry,” he murmured.

“You are,” she agreed, stroking the thick muscles on his neck.

“If it helps, I really believe it was the only way to break the lies.”

She stared right into his eyes. “The spankings werenothing,” she assured, tapping his cheek then shoving him away by his face. “It was thatbullshityou pulled before that.” She grabbed the spoon from his hand and ate it, immediatelybalking. “Ugh!” She leaned over and let the bitter crap fall out of her mouth, looking at him. “Not eating that.”

“Tasting it is enough,” he said with a smile on her. “And I was a monumental moron for not realizing how much I was hurting you.”

She nodded, wiping her eyes. “Yes. You were.” She looked at him, finding him looking right back, riveted. “Well, I’m definitely ready to hear your…amazingwisdom and justification. Assuming there’s alotmore,” she warned.

“There is,” he assured, angling his head at her. “Starting with the guilt you carry… the shame… the blame.”

She swallowed, her heart racing too fast.

“All thebitter,bitinglies. And the gashes they leave.”

Oh shit.

He smiled when she wiped away tears while the truth of his words ripped right through her. “Your gift is your voice,” he murmured softly. “That’s the bitter lie you’ve been told. You’ve been believing.” Her heart clenched and ached till she couldn’t breathe. “But the truth is, Doo-nie… your gift has always beenyou.”

She covered her mouth right as a sob burst from her chest. Then another.

He came around and sat, pulling her into his arms. She melted into him, letting it go, one racking sob after another, his rumbling soft coos stitching up all the parts of her he’d just shredded.

When she finally pulled away, she let out a laugh at finding him holding the final spoon before her. “Not sure if I can stomach something yucky,” she whispered, wiping her face.

“Just touch it with your tongue,” he said, moving it closer.

She leaned, poking it with the tip, then eyeing him. “Salty?”

He nodded, setting it back in the tray, his slow exhale making her tense up.

“Is it bad?” she worried, not wanting to taint the miracle he’d just performed in her mind and heart.

He leaned in and gave her a single kiss on the cheek then moved back, the serious look on his face seizing her breath. “Salt is like the truth,” he began, lowering his gaze to her mouth. “It’s not meant to cover anything up… it preserves what’sreal. It enhances,” he said, eyes locking on hers. “Illuminatestruecolors.”

He lifted his hand and softly touched her temple with his index finger. “Everything in here…” He moved his finger and tapped her chest. “And everything in here…” His gaze held her tight again. “Needs the salt of truth.” He leaned in, his mouth stopping before hers. “Then… those two need to marry.” He pressed his lips carefully into hers and she parted for him, back to silently crying and fighting to breathe.

She suddenly gasped and pushed him back. “You’re the salt.”

His sexy mouth tugged a little. “I am.”

She barely smiled before her jaw dropped more. “Did you… was that…” She covered her mouth then lowered her hand. “Did you just propose to me? Oh God, don’t answer that.” Fear punched her in the stomach, making her sick. “I wasn’t thinking. I mean I was thinking out loud, but I shouldn’t have—”

He kissed her, his hand holding the back of her neck, holding her to his aching groan while he stroked her neck then jaw. He pulled back, their staggered breaths clashing. “Not marriage,” he swore, putting his forehead against hers. “What we have is… something deeper. Bigger than words and promises. Unbreakable. Uncontainable. Truth that can’t be corrupted or twisted. Or undone,” he said, petting her face with both hands, kissing her as she choked on sobs. “Wherever you are, Doo-nie...I am. And wherever I am… you are.” He held her in his fierce gaze, wiping the tears with his thumbs. “There are no more bitter lies. No more darkness. No more void. There is only truth. There is only light. There is onlyus.”

THE BINDING RITE

The firelight flickered over the rough-hewn walls of the little cottage, painting the darkness with gold and amber. The winter chill crept along the floor but didn’t begin to touch the heat of what was coming. Without even touching her yet, his heat wrapped her. His obsession, his hunger, the lethal and ravenous intentions in his gaze.

Her heart thrummed along in her veins as she sat before the mirror on the wide, backless cushioned seat in a simple white dress. Her heart thundered in her chest as Nidev moved behind her, standing, his hungry gaze focused on her in the mirror. Unaware of how beautiful and magnificent he was. Naked and powerful.

He tore his gaze from her reflection and aimed it at the real her. She suddenly felt like a third person, watching him gaze with a lethal hunger. If she wasn’t the girl in the mirror with him, she’d be obscenely jealous of what he was showing and giving.

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