Page 89 of Kiss of Light

“What does that have to do with…”

“We’re brought into existence fully-formed with a set of abilities and a few basic emotions. I can experience joy and desire, but some things are impossible for me. I don’t cry. I never feel remorse. And I can’t fall in love.”

“I don’t believe that. You’re warm and sensuous, and I know you’re capable of love.”

“You’re wrong.” She forced herself to meet his eyes without flinching. “I want you, yes. But wanting someone isn’t the same as spending the rest of your life with them. Your true mate is still out there somewhere. But it’s not me.”

She made to get up and he stopped her.

“I felt it. I felt my body react the first time I saw you. It was instantaneous.”

She let her lip curl derisively.

“So you fancied me. So what? I fancied you too. I can’t deny we have an attraction. And sleeping with you was amazing. Really. But we’re not meant to be together forever. I’m not built for that.”

Every word was costing her. She wanted to wrap herself around him, devour him in kisses and promise never to leave him.

But that would be unfair. What he needed from a mate, she couldn’t give him. Better to rip the Band-Aid off now instead of years down the road.

Lemar struggled to control his emotions. He’d laid his heart bare and she had rejected him. He didn’t know why he’d expected anything else. She’d already told him she didn’t believe in fate. She’d made that clear right from the start.

“So what now?” he asked dully.

“My job is to get you to Palissandra. Let’s concentrate on that.”

This time he didn’t stop her when she got up. He felt hollow inside, as if she’d reached into his body and ripped out his entrails.

A wave of nausea rolled over him and he struggled upright, trying to control the churning in his gut. Tala frowned.

“When did you last feed?”

He ignored her question.

“We should get cleaned up and go see Shade. I think he has transport for us.”

She nodded and went to the bathroom. By the time she returned, his nausea had gone and he was entirely in control again.

“Yo, boss. What the fuck is this?”

Shade turned.

“I see you are back to normal,” he said drily.

Relief washed through him as he looked Tala up and down. She was back in her trademark leather clothing, knives strapped to her hips, looking none the worse for wear.

Cordially, he nodded at Lemar. Both the Vetali and the shaitun stared at the thing in the courtyard where Pasha had directed them.

The huge metal ball gleamed under the lights. Curved sheets of steel were rivetted together to form an armoured sphere. It sat on the ground like a giant silver pumpkin.

“This is your transport to Palissandra. I had the finest sorcerers in the realm create it. Impervious to weapons. And once you’re inside, totally shielded from daylight and magic.”

Tala eyed the sphere doubtfully.

“We’re going torollthere? Sounds a bit barf inducing.”

Shade grinned.

“Not at all. In fact, I am told it will feel somewhat like being on board a ship.”

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