Page 68 of Dead End

Slowly their forms dissipated until all that remained was a wink of starlight. I released a shaky breath and let the tears flow freely. All this time, I thought they were ghosts, but they weren’t, not to me.

To me, they were angels.

Light streaked through the bedroom forming a golden web as dawn began to break. Under different circumstances, I would’ve taken time to appreciate the beauty of it. I would’ve watched the light bend and brighten as the sun continued to ascend.

But not today.

Today I only had eyes for the demon prince beside me on our last morning together. I nestled against his chest and swallowed the ball of grief that began to rise. The taste was bitter on my tongue.

Kane’s eyes opened and looked directly into mine. Neither of us spoke. It felt like the moment we uttered a word, we’d break a protective spell and end up back in a reality we didn’t want to face. His gaze never left mine as he ran his hand along my arm and came to rest on my hip.

His eyes had always appeared whisky colored to me, but this morning they gleamed with a golden hue that matched a summer sunrise.

I wouldn’t see the sun again for a long time.

I broke the silence. “Do you think you’ll stay in the Castle or go back to the club?”

“Undecided. I don’t think I could bear to live at the club again, but I’m also not sure I can bear to live here without you.”

I threaded my fingers through his. “I’m sorry for this. I know it isn’t the future we discussed.”

“We can’t control the future, only how we rise to meet it.” He raised my hand to his lips and grazed my knuckles.

“You’re not angry?”

“Oh, I’m quite angry, make no mistake, but not with you.” His fingers touched my cheek, feather light. “I’ve endured somany nightmares in my lifetime but being parted from you might be the worst one of them all.”

My heart thrummed in my chest. “We won’t be apart forever. Once I’m on the throne, I’ll find a way to see you. Have Cerberus sneak you in through a back entrance for conjugal visits.” My attempt to make light of the situation fell flat.

“That won’t be any kind of life, Lorelei. Not for you and certainly not for me.”

“Then what’s the alternative? We never see each other again? Never speak?”

Deep lines of consternation formed across his brow and his eyelids slammed shut. “I don’t know. Every time I think I’ve come up with a solution, I think of ten reasons why it won’t work.”

“Same.” I inhaled deeply, memorizing the scent of sandalwood, pine, and musk.Hisscent.

“It wasn’t supposed to end this way,” he murmured.

“It wasn’t supposed to end at all.”

He fisted my hair. I could feel his frustration in every grunt and tug.

“Talk to me,” I urged.

He strained to speak, as though forming words was the most challenging thing he’d ever done. “I’ll have all this love and nowhere to put it.”

I rested my cheek against his chest. “Carry it inside your heart—because then I’ll always be with you.” It took every ounce of strength I possessed to tear myself away from him.

Goran awaited me at the base of the staircase. He held out a brown paper bag. “I wasn’t sure how long the journey would be, so I packed you breakfast for the road.”

My heart swelled as I accepted the bag. “Thank you, Goran.”

“No, thankyou. I promise I’ll be an excellent keeper of the Castle. Whatever needs doing, I’ll make sure it gets done.”

No small task without Ray and Nana Pratt to assist him. They’d become professional caretakers. At least Goran wouldn’t be alone.

“The keys to the truck and the motorcycle are hanging on the hook in the kitchen. Gary is temperamental, so be patient with him.”

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