Lifting on her toes, she kissed me, the sweet taste of her tongue on mine. “Then let me in, Kai,” she breathed across my lips. “Can you do that?”
“Only if you answer my question first. Do you think you could ever love me?”
Her lips closed over mine again. “Yes,” she murmured, and I could feel the truth in her words. “I know I can . . . and I do.”
“Then, you’re in. I’ll tell you anything you want to know. It might not be easy, but I’ll do everything I can to make you happy.”
She looked into my eyes, and there was so much joy on her face that it made me smile. “You know you’re making this hard on me. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to leave and go back home.”
“Then don’t,” I said, holding her tight. “Stay with me here. No one ever has to find us.”
“But they will, Kai. One way or another, my family will find me. Until then, you’re mine.”
I swallowed hard. “And you’re mine.”
If there was a way to keep her forever, I had to find it. I couldn’t let her go.
Chapter22
Ella
ONE WEEK LATER
After spending the week with Kai, I realized how much his father had screwed him up. My goal was to help him enjoy the simple pleasures in life instead of finding satisfaction in hurting people.
Every day we explored the hidden treasures around us and found a beautiful waterfall that was frozen over. We talked nonstop and it felt good just to be in his presence. However, there were times when he struggled. I could see it, but I pretended not to notice. He hadn’t used the magic within him, but the damage of the past had already been done. I kept hoping, with time, the urge to hurt me because of his father’s revenge would dissipate, but it was still there and there were no signs of it weakening. We both knew that if my family waged war on the Shadow fae, he’d have to fight against us. If anyone could help him face the darkness, it was me. I couldn’t leave when I felt with all my heart and soul that I could free him.
The snow started to fall, and it reminded me so much of home. Standing by the window, I watched the flakes come down, wishing Kai and I were in the Land of the Fae instead of the mortal world. My mother’s words kept replaying in my mind.This land and the people in it will never accept him. But would that still be true if I were to save him from the darkness?
Kai came up behind me, his hands gliding across my stomach and under my shirt to my breasts. The feel of his lips on my neck made me tremble with anticipation.
“Is it that time already?” I moaned, leaning into him.
He pushed his cock into my back. “I believe so.”
The second I turned around, he lifted me into his arms and carried me over to the bed. Before he could lay me down, I felt the tug on my soul, pulling me toward a dying fae.
“Kai, stop,” I said, placing a hand on his chest. “I have a calling.”
Eyes darkening, he set me down and grabbed my dagger off the bedside table. That weapon could kill him, but he didn’t seem afraid of it. He handed it to me, and I strapped it to my belt while he grabbed his gun, slipping it into the waistband of his jeans. Our methods of fighting in the Land of the Fae didn’t include guns; they were prohibited in our realm. I wasn’t afraid of the weapon, but guns could severely damage my kind. Even just a knick with an iron bullet could kill us.
Kai nodded at me, signaling he was ready.
“Remember, keep to the shadows,” I whispered as I summoned my magic. “If someone’s there, I’ll handle it.”
I haven’t been attacked yet, but I did wonder if he’d be able to kill any of his siblings if they were waiting on me. Guess you could say having him with me was a test. I’d be able to see firsthand what he’d do.
Before slipping through the portal to the dying fae, Kai’s body disappeared and all that was left was a shadow. It was strange seeing him as a form of darkness.
The pull grew stronger, which meant the fae didn’t have much longer on this world. I stepped through the portal, and I felt Kai’s presence follow right behind me. I never thought it’d be a comfort to have him so close.
When everything became clear, I found myself in the backyard of a stucco-style home in the Arizona desert. It was like a private oasis with palm trees and a pool. The sky was so clear I could see the stars as if they were close enough to touch.
The sound of gurgling caught my attention, and I jerked my head toward the pool house. I didn’t know what I would find, but I was ready.
When I got to the door, there was a young man inside—a Summer fae—his golden skin covered by the blood oozing out of the wound in his abdomen; he was stabbed by an iron blade.
His eyes widened when he saw me; that was when I feltthem. . . dark fae. All I could sense was evil. Their powers weren’t as strong as the Shadow fae, but they were still capable of killing just as easily. There were three lurking in the dark, waiting for their chance to strike. I had hoped it’d be Kai’s brothers, but that didn’t matter; these guys were obviously working with them.