Page 88 of The King has Fallen
The General of our enemy. Arguably, the most powerful man on the continent. A Nephilim—a rebel against God and humanity.
Intelligent. Cunning. Andhonorable?With asoul?
It had to be true. The soulless King’s response to his own son only demonstrated that.
The sheer power of Melek, the way he owned a room. The way my heart would stop when his eyes locked on mine. The way my heart pounded when his mouth was on mine.
The way the world disappeared with his body on mine.
My blood on fire—
Flinching inwardly, I sucked in a breath and shook my head.
His grip tightened on me.
“They haven’t followed, Yilan. You’re safe.”
I squeezed my eyes closed and gripped harder against the urge to take his face in my hands and kiss him—and that was the final straw.
Melek was themostdangerous of creatures: A compelling, powerful, leader of a man. A man who called me in darknessandin light. And if I allowed it, he would draw me away fromeverythingthat had ever mattered to me.
And everything that was supposed to matter, as well.
“…Very little in this life is worth dying for.”
He arched one brow. “I notice you do not say nothing is worth dying for.”
“No, I didn’t.”
I did not know why God had put me here. I did not know whythisman called to me like no other had before. But I knew the purpose I had been given. The responsibility I had tomypeople. And loyalty to an enemycould not fulfill that.
My heart flinched within my chest.
It hurt.
Unaware of my thoughts, Melek turned me sideways as he ducked into the tent, letting the canvas flap pull over his shoulder as he marched into the dark interior and once again did not light a lantern, gave no indication to anyone outside that we were here.
He reached the center of the tent and stopped suddenly, still panting. Then dropped his chin to look at me, his eyes piercing, even in the dark.
Neither of us spoke.
Melek gripped me at the knees, and behind my back. My entire body trembled. My heart swelled and pushed towards him and I fought.
I gritted my teeth andbattled.
And when Melek set me back on my feet, I shrank from him.
He froze, his eyes locked on mine.
“Yilan—” he reached for me and I took another step back, dropping my eyes to my feet, grief blooming in my chest when he stopped himself coming for me. “Yilan, I know it’s been frightening, but I would never let them hurt y—”
“You are my enemy.”
Ifelthim flinch.
When he spoke again, his voice was hoarse. “God tells us to love our enemies.”
“Not likethis.”But still I didn’t move. I had said the words, and they were true. But still I didn’t move.
