Page 82 of Bonds of Hercules
Alexis coughed, blood dripping from her lips. “Save … yourself … leave … me.”
Our mud-covered faces were inches apart.
Something dark and sinister awoke inside me. “Do you knowwhoI am?” I asked.
Her gaze darted to the bloody side of my head, and she blanched.
We were physically connected, forever.
Perfect.
“I’myours,” I said as the rain roared around us. “You can break my legs, but I’ll still crawl after you. If you’re injured, I will carve myself to pieces to make you whole … every … single … time. This is not a temporary arrangement. We will be together. Forever. Or I’ll be dead.”
Two-colored eyes widened.
“Do you understand what I’m saying,princess?”
Her breath hitched.
“Tell methat you don’t feel it.” I leaned closer—our mouths touched. There was nothing sexual about the kiss; it was all possession and rage. “If you don’t feel it, I’ll give up,” I whispered against her lips. “I’ll still protect you, but I’ll stop … trying.”
I breathed in, inhaling her, like a dying man.
Her pupils dilated.
“I … feel it,” she said quietly. “But it d-doesn’t … mean anything.”
I opened my mouth against hers, tongue sweeping out.Devouring.
Her tongue fought back.
“What the fuck is wrong with you two?” Augustus shouted. “Why do I keep finding you like this? You’re bothkissingas you bleed out?”
I dropped her chin like it burned.
Long seconds passed as Augustus studied us in the rain. His hair was drenched, sticking to his arms and back like a second skin, and Poco sat on his shoulder shivering.
He shook his head. “Can either of you stand?”
“No,” I said, at the same time Alexis whispered, “Maybe.”
We glared at each other.
Augustus took a deep steadying breath. “None of us are in any shape to leap—we have to get to a safe house.”
There was a loud whine, then a monstrous creature nuzzled Alexis’s face.
I reached for my gun.
“Don’t … Fluffy Jr.”
I gaped at the white beast, which now had the build and height of a small horse, but the body of a dog. A strange lump protruded from its back.
“What the fuck happened to him?” Augustus asked, aghast.
“Just … growing.”
Great, my wife is a lunatic.
