Page 97 of Possess Me at Midnight
The jolt of her needy stare reaches all the way to my heart as I slide deep into her body once more.
We remain like that—connected gazes, bodies, and hearts—until she cries out beneath me, rosy cheeks flushed, pleasure transforming her face into the most beautiful sight ever. Then I join her in a shimmering world of passion, the crash of it washing through my body as I flood her with my devotion and seed. She lights up my heart, where I know she’ll stay forever.
Sabelle draws in a shuddering breath, and her eyes flutter shut as a look of sublime peace settles over her. I feel it, too. We have this one perfect moment. For this brief, stolen second in time, we can simply share a heart, a soul, and be one.
She drifts off to sleep, cocooned in my arms. I watch her, unmoving, as the hours slip away. Having grown up in these caves, I’ve developed a keen sense of time, despite the lack of windows. I hold her tighter as dawn approaches, the sun rising, heralding the day that will change everything between us forever.
I shift to her side, pillowing her head on my chest, gripping her as if I’ll never let go. The gesture is futile. The black chasm of my future roars in, and I clench my eyes against the reality. What the hell am I going to do with the rest of my life now besides fight Anarki, hunt Mathias, and secretly hope that someday, somehow, she’ll find her way back to my arms?
Sabelle
I wake up in Ice’s arms. I know it even before I open my eyes. The strong arms, the pine-and-musk scent, the way he latches on to me as if he’ll never let go. The feeling of joy and security like no other.
Reluctantly, I open my eyes, face the world, and find Ice studying me. Grief shadows his eyes, the hollows of his cheeks, the pinch of his mouth.
I swallow. “It’s time, isn’t it?”
He nods and brushes his thumb over my cheek. “Sabelle, I?—”
Pressing my lips to his, I stop his words. “If you speak, I’ll only cry. And there’s nothing more we can say…”
Ice sets his jaw, then nods once. “When are you supposed to go to MacTavish?”
“As soon as I wake.”
How I wish I had another few centuries to spend with Ice. But we don’t have even a few hours. Magickind might well depend on Lucan filling MacKinnett’s vacant Council seat before Mathias somehow talks his way into it.
“If you’d like a shower, there’s one through that door.” He points across the room.
I don’t, actually. I’d rather let the scent of Ice cling to me as long as possible, revel in it for as long as I can. But it would be disrespectful to Lucan and cause more strife between my brother and the man I love.
“Thank you.”
With wooden movements, I climb into the sleek, black-tiled box. Reluctantly, I lift the soap to wash away the traces of Ice from my body. But I can’t make myself do it.
Forehead against the cold tile, warm water beating down on my back, I clutch the slick, foaming bar and sob. In that moment, I hate my brother. I hate the bloodline I’ve been born to that forces duty and responsibility upon me. I hate being needed to stave off genocide.
Still, my feelings change nothing, and that fact tears my heart in a hundred irreparable pieces with each tear.
Suddenly, I feel cool air, then a warm presence at my back, blocking the spray of water. I feel more than see Ice as he wraps his arms around me and gently pries the soap from my hands.
He bathes me in slow strokes, carefully washing every inch of me, even shampooing and rinsing my hair.
When he’s finished, he turns me to face him. “Say the word, and I will fight for you. Your brother, Lucan…”
The world assumes my big warrior is mad, but I see past his facade. He hides behind it, shutting off his caring and warmth. Because no one will believe it? Because he fears being hurt again? Either way, I love the man I’ve uncovered. My heart praises him with every beat.
“We’ve been over this,” I say finally. “I should have known there were too many obstacles, too few possibilities, before I fell for you. I will treasure every moment?—”
Ice stops my words with a kiss. “I will, too.”
Clenching his jaw, he tosses his head back, eyes closed. Ice fights tears of his own. The sight melts me.
“Come.” He dredges up the fortitude to draw me from the shower and towels me off, then presses a soft kiss to my forehead. “No matter what, I’m here for you. Always.”
I nod and dress as he does the same. As I comb and braid my wet hair, exhaustion and despair wash through me. Today, I will be mated—an occasion I should await with great joy. Now, all I can muster is the urge to cling to Ice and cry again.
He approaches me from behind. In the mirror, I watch him clasp my shoulders. “Turn and hold my hands. Renounce me, and let’s be done.”
