Page 19 of Bite The Power That Feeds

His anger slowed from a boil to a simmer. The emotion in my voice could tame him on his worst day.

When the hostility vanished, I looked at him again. “That’s the only thing we have—our soul. And some arrogant bastards decided it was theirs. It’s so disturbing. If you’d made a different decision…imagine hearing that news.”

He looked away abruptly, the mere suggestion too much.

“You’d never recover from something like that.” I knew Kingsnake would have struggled to carry on after that. Would have been forever scarred by the decision he could have made. There would be no peace with the Ethereal. He would probably burn this forest to the ground.

“No,” he said. “I wouldn’t.” His voice was quiet, contemplative.

My eyes shifted out the window again, seeing fireflies hovering near the canopies. The forest was quiet, with the exception of a bird that cawed into the night. The breeze moved the branches as it passed through. It was the most peaceful place I’d ever visited—besides Kingsnake’s bed. “Wanting to be with you was never the issue…and I hope you know that.” He’d told me he loved me, and that should have been the most romantic moment of my life. But it turned into a precursor to the most difficult conversation ever. “I’ve given up everything for a man before, and we know how that turned out.”

“Don’t compare me to him ever again.”

“I’m not. I’m just saying—”

“I understand that asshole fucked you over, but I’ve proven many times over that I’m dedicated to you and only you. You knew I loved you long before I said it because you felt it every time we were in the same room together. Don’t pretend to be insecure in a relationship that I’ve made ironclad.”

“I didn’t mean to offend you—”

“Ellasara fucked me over too, but never once did I compare you to her.”

I stopped talking, knowing he had a rebuttal to everything I said.

We turned quiet again.

Silence.

I was tired after our travels, but my mind was too fried for sleep. “Where does this leave us?”

He turned to regard me, one eyebrow slightly cocked.

“I know that I hurt you.”

He stared for several seconds, his mind empty. “I told you we’re ironclad.”

How could a man toss me aside for someone else, but another man love me so unconditionally? I was unremarkable to the first man, but irresistible to the second. But I also didn’t understand how Ellasara could have used Kingsnake so cruelly without falling for him. He was the most handsome man I’d ever seen, strong and noble, was kind without being weak. But she didn’t see that. “How long did it take you to accept your new way of life?”

“Months. But I probably never would have truly accepted it without knowing the truth.”

I knew the god-awful truth, and I still grieved for the soul I’d lost.

“I owe my father an apology…but I’m still unsure if I can give it.”

“Why?”

He didn’t speak for a long time. “I fear it’ll make no difference. His resentment is permanent.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“When you live so long, those ill feelings grow and fester to epic proportions. His relationship with Aurelias has deepened into a brotherhood, and he knows where he stands with Cobra and Viper. But with me…there’s been nothing but silent contempt and heavy grudges.”

“I’m surprised you care when you dislike him so much.”

“A relationship between father and son is always complicated.” His eyes moved out the window again.

“What if the Ethereal refuse to stop what they’re doing?”

“They better.”

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