Page 24 of Thorn of Sorrow

I took a step back when his features darkened. I’d never seen him turn his malice on me, and it was downright frightening.

“Someone like me? What does that exactly mean? Someone whose soul is so black it eats the light? Or maybe someone who thinks his past atrocities makes him undeserving of love, Kyson? You’re physically scarred, but I’m eternally damned. So if we’re comparing scars, don’t judge only the outside, little bird.”

He was right. All these years, I had looked at him as someone who couldn’t be defeated, but I’d never considered what he had gone through or what ticked on the inside.

I should have, at least, after the small glimpse I’d had into his past. “I’m sorry.”

“You rose from the ashes like a phoenix.” He stepped closer. “You are powerful in mind, spirit, and body. A warrior was born from your trauma, and you fought your way back.” He cupped my cheek. “How could you not be the most beautiful man I’ve ever met?”

My lips parted. I had no idea he saw me that way. I’d been so busy pushing him away, I never saw the real Giovanni.

A vampire with centuries of trauma, simply looking for solace.

Chapter Six

Giovanni

Kyson had no clue I’d fallen in love with him. I was still grappling with those feelings, but when I’d seen him lying on the floor and Baron mere inches away, I’d had to fight back the monster that dwelled inside of me. If unleashed, I couldn’t have guaranteed Dane’s safety.

It wouldn’t have paused to determine who was friend or foe. It didn’t care. It was the same darkness that had taken over during battles, had driven me to victory time and again.

Malachi had been enraged that I’d hesitated. He needed to consider himself lucky I had. That I’d fought against unleashing my darkness in that hallway.

Because when it came to protecting Kyson, no one was safe. I’d failed him before, but never again.

“Is that how you see me?”

He looked so breathtaking as he stared at me in confusion, as if he couldn’t comprehend how anyone could see him in that kind of light.

“Every single time I look at you.” I lowered my head, sealing my answer with a kiss while realizing just how true those words rang.

The kiss started out slow, exploring. Then Kyson slid his arms around my neck, pulling me closer, plunging his tongue deep inside my mouth. The kiss turned demanding, unrestrained, and told me he wanted to take charge.

Fuck. I loved it.

The aggression turned me on and made my cock so hard it was almost painful. I snarled softly when Kyson jumped up, causing me to quickly wrap my arms around him when he curled his legs around my waist. Then he groaned and growled into my mouth.

They were the sexiest sounds I’d ever heard.

I slowly backed up, gripping his hips firmly. Our lips never parted until the backs of my legs touched the bed. Kyson lifted his head, blinking slowly, like reality had just hit.

“Giovanni.” My name left his lips as little more than a whisper, uncertain, aching, a single step from surrender.

“Let me make love to you, petit oiseau.” My lips ghosted over his jaw, filling my lungs with the intoxicating scent of his desire. “Let me show you just what you mean to me.”

Hesitation showed brightly in his eyes. It was as if kissing passionately was as far as he was willing to go. Somehow, I knew that if I allowed him to retreat, Kyson would forever keep me at arm’s length.

That wasn’t where I belonged.

For years he’d denied his feelings for me, assuming his scars made him too hideous to love. I had to shatter the ridiculous notion if we were to have a fighting chance of sharing something incredible together.

Something that went beyond just the physical.

“I—” He glanced away, but I tucked my fingers under his chin, coaxing him to look at me.

“Take back your life, sweetheart.” I kissed the side of his mouth then rested my cheek against his. “Trust me to show you what I see when I look at you.”

His breath hitched, and time stood still as I waited for his reply.

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