But that was an animal’s instinct. She pushed her swan aside, forcing herself to consider the situation with human logic.
Blaze was right. The current situation was untenable. He’d been half-mad last night with guilt, and the warlocks had barely managed to touch her. If something worse did happen…it would destroy him.
She couldn’t be responsible for that. Couldn’t consign her mate to a life of paranoia and fear, always looking over his shoulder, always having to be on guard to protect her.
If they were ever to find true happiness, she had to let him go.
Nonetheless, Rose hesitated. “You said it would hurt.”
His fingertips traced the side of her face, soft as a feather. “Only for a second.” His mouth curved in a strange, wavering smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Then everything will be the way it was before. You won’t even remember it happened.”
“And afterward…when it’s all over, you’ll find me again? We’ll be together?”
He hesitated. “Rose, Corbin will still be able to track me. If I can’t find him, if I can’t eliminate the threat, you’ll be in danger if I’m with you.“
“I don’t care,” she said fiercely. “Promise me you’ll come back to me, no matter what. Promise me.”
He leaned his forehead against hers. “I promise,” he whispered, very softly.
She took a deep breath, setting her shoulders. She was so scared she was shaking, but this was Blaze, her mate. Her life, her heart, her soul.
For his sake, she could bear any pain.
“Okay,” she said, her throat dry. “Do it.”
Scrunching up her face, she braced herself for—she didn’t know what. Fire, flames, sweeping agony.
She wasn’t prepared for his mouth to press against hers, fierce and desperate. He kissed her with even more passionate intensity than he had during their mating, as if claiming her anew. All her fear and apprehension melted away in that irresistible heat. She leaned against him, pressing up into his mouth, certainty filling her as bright as the mate bond itself.
No matter what, she was his. He was hers. Forever.
His hands slid down from her face to her shoulders. Gradually, reluctantly, he pushed her away. Even as he stepped back, he bent to keep his lips on hers, lingering as long as possible.
When he finally released her, she wobbled. She had to brace herself on her suitcase to keep standing. Her lips felt hot and flushed, her mind reeled, her whole body tingled…but she didn’t feel any different.
He’d said she wouldn’t remember.
“Is it over?” she asked uncertainly.
Blaze had backed away as far as the door, never turning. He fumbled for the door handle, never taking his eyes off her. Every muscle in his body was strung tight, as though he was having to fight himself to stay where he was, to not stride back to her. Black flames burned in his eyes.
“I will always love you,” he said.
The door closed behind him.
No, no, no! cried her swan. Go after him, he needs us, he is our mate!
Rose forced herself to turn away from the door. Scrubbing her hand across her eyes, she made herself look at the paper he’d left on top of the suitcase. A printout of her flight times and itinerary. This time tomorrow, she’d be back in England.
Without him.
“Just for a little while,” she said out loud, to the empty room. “It’ll just be for a little while. He’ll come back. He promised.“
And then—
Her scream ripped the remnants of his soul into tattered shreds. Blaze slid down the closed door, fists clenched, biting his lip so hard that blood ran over hi
s chin.