Page 150 of Heir of Illusion

Those pale blue eyes are wide as he stares up at me. “Ivy, I should?—”

“Don’t.” I shake my head. Taking a deep breath, I allow myself to admit a little bit more truth today. “I’m so afraid.”

His hands move to my hips as he sits up, bringing our faces only inches apart.

“I’m terrified.” My voice shakes and tears form in my eyes. I swallow, clearing the emotion from my throat. “But there’s nothing I can do to stop what’s coming, no matter how much I want to. I have to be strong enough to accept that.”

“Shhh,” he whispers as his hand brushes over the back of my hair, pulling my forehead to his. “You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met.”

Those words settle against my chest, making me feel as though maybe, just maybe, the sentiment is true.

“Let me be here with you until it starts,” I whisper. “Please don’t let this be the moment you stop reaching for me.”

“Never,” he swears, leaning forward to taste my lips.

The kiss is gentle at first. He cradles my face, his thumbs brushing against my cheeks as he tentatively explores my mouth. My fingers move to the hem of his shirt, desperate to remove the barrier. He pulls back briefly, pulling the offending garment over his head and tossing it aside.

I bite my lip as I run my hands over his broad chest, marveling at the perfection of his body.

“You’re beautiful,” I say softly. “Perfect.”

There’s an uncharacteristic shyness hiding in his eyes as I explore him, but it’s quickly replaced by all-consuming desire. He leans forward, taking my mouth again, but this time, there’s nothing gentle about it. His hands slide down my back, moving to cup my ass as he pulls me closer. Desperate for friction, I rock myself against him, enjoying the sounds that escape him with each move I make.

I can’t get enough of his taste. My tongue entwines with his as my fingers dig into his hair, reveling in the softness of the silky strands.

“Ivy,” he whispers against my lips. “I?—”

Whatever he was about to say is cut off as the collar springs to life, squeezing my throat with a vengeance. I jerk as my body goes rigid. My head tilts back, mouth open wide in a horrific visage as I try to gasp for a breath that won’t come.

“Please, Angel, don’t hurt yourself.” Thorne pulls at my wrists, trying to stop my nails from frantically clawing at my neck.

I slip off him, landing on the mattress as my back arches from the strain of suffocation. As gently as possible, he manages to roll me onto my side and wrap his arms around me from behind. I jolt against him, trying desperately to pull an ounce of air into my lungs.

More than a minute passes before the collar eases its grip, finally granting me a precious breath. I take full advantage, swallowing gulps of air as fast as I can.

“Is it over?” His voice is strained as he whispers against my ear.

I shake my head, trying to slow my racing pulse. “This is only the beginning.”

As if spurred on by my words, the collar seizes again. Just like I knew it would. Baylor is playing with me.

And the game is just getting started.

Chapter

Forty-One

Hours pass this way.

My entire world shrinks down to the movements of the collar as it traps me in an endless cycle. It only knows two actions: contract and release. But the delay between the two is constantly expanding as Baylor pushes me to my limit.

My head spins from the lack of oxygen. My fingers went numb earlier, and their feeling hasn’t returned. My vision isn’t faring any better. The edges of the world have grown dark, covered in a permanent vignette. Strange figures dance in the corners of my eyes, creeping closer each time the collar is activated. My mind whispers that they are lost souls, sensing my imminent demise.That’s not possible, I remind myself. As long as the veils are in place, a soul could never be lost. More likely, they are simply hallucinations.

Though I’m not sure that’s any better.

Thorne holds me through all of it. I track each rise and fall of his chest, imagining the air he breathes is somehow able to be shared between us, passing from his lungs to mine.

Silent tears trail down my cheeks, but I no longer bother fighting against the collar. My body simply doesn’t have the strength anymore. Besides, nothing I do has any effect. Instead, I lie here and count the time between breaths.

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