Page 52 of Caress of Fire
Marielle stared at him, her eyes glistening. She shook her head in negation but he saw her lips press together in understanding. She turned away from him, exhaling forcefully. Her hands came to her arms and she hugged herself hard, bending slightly forward like her chest hurt, her head bent down in resignation.
“One life.” Marielle chuckled and her voice broke. The sound resonated against Fedryc’s bones, tearing him apart at the seams. “What is one life against a thousand? Ten thousand?”
“That life is precious to you.” Fedryc reached for her shoulder but his hand stopped when Marielle stiffened and he brought it back to his side. “I wouldn’t trade yours for a million others.”
“Then you understand me.”
She wouldn’t defy his order.
Then why do I feel like I’m the one who’s lost?
Marielle turned her face to him and he felt a bit of his soul tear away. The pain and fear that were painted on her features made her look terribly young and fragile. There was a resignation in her storm-colored eyes that pierced through his armor and right to his heart.
“What will come of Devan?” It wasn’t the first time she asked that question, but this time, her voice had a desperation that left him void and raw. “Will I keep receiving pieces of him? Will I get him back one parcel at a time?”
Anger flashed inside him at the despair, the helplessness in her face, in the way her body crumpled in on itself. At the way she refused to let him touch her.
Because she was right. He wouldn’t trade her life for her brother’s and she could end up hating him for it.
“The Knat-Kanassis won’t kill him if they think they can use him to get to you.” Fedryc folded his hands into fists at his sides. “I will save your brother and kill every last one of them.”
“But how?” The edge of despair in her voice was a taut line that threatened to break. “When?”
It was that edge that did it. His decision was made when Marielle turned to him, her face open and her heart obviously in her throat.
She was her brother’s mother in every way that counted and her heart ached as such.
He couldn’t live with this.
“I will go to the meeting, make him think he got what he wanted by blackmailing you.” Fedryc stared at her until he saw his words had reached her, had penetrated the fog of fear that surrounded her very soul. “That is his ultimate goal. He won’t be able to resist killing me and Nyra. Only we’re not that easy a target.”
“It will be dangerous.” Her voice shook, but there was a trust there, a vote of confidence that tore at his heart. “You and Nyra will be targets.”
“Nyra and I are the most dangerous things out there.” He smiled at the worry in her eyes. Worry for him and Nyra. “You should save your worry for those under the thumbs of the Knat-Kanassis. There will be no mercy for them.”
He promised it with all his heart. He would spare none of the Knat-Kanassis acolytes, wipe clean his kingdom of the dangerous fanatics.
Marielle’s dark, storm-laden eyes became fierce and her lovely mouth curved with a cruel anger. When Fedryc reached for her, she didn’t pull away this time. His hands closed around her shoulders, and he traced the line of her collarbone. He lifted her chin and stared into the eyes of his Draekarra.
“You are my life, Marielle Jansen.” The words left him before he could think, and he let them flow. “If anything happened to you, I would lose the will to live.”
Her eyes widened in surprise, but she didn’t pull away. A tiny pull at the corners of her mouth made him bend down. Her lips were firm and soft under his, and the salty taste of her tears made him wild. His arm came around her slim waist and he pulled her against him. Fedryc lost himself in the kiss, in the feel of Marielle’s body against him.
He could never lose her. He needed her like he needed air.
A faint coughing sound reminded him that they were not alone.
Silva’s distaste was clear on her features for a moment, then disappeared. Fedryc frowned, then glanced down at Marielle to see the embarrassed look on her face and he smiled. The teenager was an innocent, and it wasn’t surprising that she viewed what was a simple kiss with disbelieving awe.
Marielle pushed against his chest with both hands, her cheeks flaming red as she turned to Silva, who stood frozen to the side.
“I’m sorry, Silva.” Marielle smiled at the teenage girl in apology. “I hope I didn’t upset you. You did the right thing sending for Fedryc.”
“I’m not easily upset.” Silva’s slim mouth stretched in an icy smile and, not for the first time, Fedryc was reminded of his aunt. “I will leave you alone now that Marielle isn’t in danger.”
Silva inclined her head to Fedryc and walked out the apartments with a slow dignity. Fedryc waited until after she was gone before turning to Marielle.
“You have to promise to stay here as I go to meet with Ignio Marula.”
