Page 115 of His Darkest Desire

His voice was ragged and raw, so full of emotion. It pierced to Kinsley’s soul. She pressed a hand to his chest, over his strong, pounding heart. “I forgive you, Vex.”

“I…” Vex searched her gaze. “I remain undeserving of your forgiveness, yet I accept it with more gratitude than I can express. Thank you.” He lingered there briefly, as though lost in her eyes, before finally lifting his head. “There is something more you must know. Something I should’ve told you long ago.”

Kinsley’s brow furrowed. “What is it?”

“You are not mortal, Kinsley. Not since the night I found you.”

Her heart had never thumped as loudly as it did in the quiet that followed his words.

Not mortal? Not…mortal.

Whether addled by the wine or not, her mind simply couldn’t process what he’d said. She didn’t feel any different…did she?

“I don’t understand,” she said. “I’m human. How could I not be mortal?”

The muscles of his jaw bulged, and he released a heavy exhalation through his nose. “I had but one means of saving you. But one means of delivering you from the threshold of death.” He released his hold on her neck and moved his hand to hers, pressing it more firmly over his chest. “I drew upon my lifeforce, my soul, my immortality, and wove it into yours. We are bound. So long as my heart beats, so shall yours.”

Kinsley curled her fingertips against him, uncertain of what to say, to do, to think.

She was immortal. She wouldn’t grow old, wouldn’t die. She would live on as all the people she loved faded away. Her family, her friends. Everyone she’d ever known.

And she was trapped here. She’d never see her loved ones again, would never get to say goodbye.

She choked on a sob as more tears flooded her eyes.

You would have died anyway, Kinsley. Death was the only alternative.

She knew that. She knew. Vex had done what was necessary to save her, and she was grateful for that, so grateful. But that didn’t lessen the impact of this revelation.

Vex brushed away her tears as they flowed. “Would that I could take away your pain.”

Kinsley sniffled and drew in a shuddering breath. “I…I think I need to feel this. To mourn. I won’t be able to see my friends and family again, won’t be able to talk to them, and…and I think it’s better this way. They probably already believe I’m dead.”

She lifted her other hand and swept loose strands of hair from his face, hooking them behind his ear. “I left home to begin a new life. I can do that here. With you.” Her brow creased. “But are you sure I’m what you want? I…I can’t grant you freedom from this place.”

“I choose you, my moonlight. So long as I have you, I shall never need for aught else.” He tightened his grip on her hand. “Do you accept me?”

I choose you, my moonlight.

Those words played over and over in her head. The fear, doubt, and rejection she’d felt for so long burned away like fog in the morning sun, and her soul soared.

Kinsley smiled. “I do.”

She’d spoken those simple words at her wedding, and they’d been so easy at the time, so natural. It was different now. They were heavier, and more impactful, meaningful, and heartfelt than she ever could’ve imagined. She understood that those two little words encompassed everything. Good and bad, joy and sorrow, life and death.

She hadn’t known it back then, but those words had never truly been meant for Liam. They’d always been meant for Vex. And somehow fate had brought her here, to him. This was where she was meant to be, this was what felt right.

This was where she felt at home.

“Ah, Kinsley,” Vex growled. “My mate.”

He closed the distance between them and captured her mouth with his. She closed her eyes and leaned into the kiss, succumbing to him. There was nothing to hold back. She wanted him, wanted this.

Vex’s scent enveloped her with oakmoss and amber, with earth and spice, with everything that was wholly him. His lips were hot, spreading tantalizing heat through her body. His kiss—his passion, his desire, his choice—consumed her, and she welcomed it.

She craved more of it.

But he ended the kiss far too soon.

---