Page 55 of Secrets of Ruin

They had to find joy in the simple things again, take their time, and heal together. Her healing process would take longer after what Fabian did to her, but she would get there; he was certain of it.

She’d never let that asshole keep her down.

When she reached the center of the pool, she released her skirt. She let it fall into the water as she threw up her arms, tipped her head back, and basked in the sun’s rays.

A beautiful smile lit her face as the sun bathed her in its golden radiance. He gritted his teeth against his throbbing cock, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t will his erection away.

The hunger was a constant battle that kept him weakened while tearing at his insides, but he would ensure she didn’t know how bad it was. She would have her time to heal, and there would never be another woman for him.

He was content with that knowledge. Monogamy had never been something he’d entertained much, but he had no doubt she was his; she always would be, and there would never be another.

He’d wait for her no matter what it took out of him. He might be weak and wasted away by then, but she was worth it.

Kaylia lowered her head and turned toward him. He ground his teeth together when the playful gleam in her eyes sent a bolt of desire through him.

If he couldn’t get himself under better control, he’d have to leave, but he’d prefer not to do that to her. You’re six hundred years old; you can control yourself.

Brokk fisted his hands as the playful look left her eyes and her smile slid away. He’d taken her carefree joy away and hated himself for it.

Tearing his attention away from her, he focused on the trees while willing his lust to subside. No matter how he struggled, it remained an incessant, ugly thing that screamed to be quenched.

The splash of water as she waded her way through it caused him to step back. She needed him, and he was afraid to be around her.

“Brokk.”

She didn’t say anything more, and he closed his eyes as his temples pulsed and blood rushed through him. It took everything Brokk had not to walk away; it would only upset her if he did, but if he stayed, he might lose control.

The blood thundering through his ears blocked out all other sounds as his body tensed and every part of him screamed for her. He didn’t realize she’d left the water until she clasped his cheeks.

“Brokk.”

Her touch created a firestorm of electricity across his skin as every part of him came to life. His fangs extended.

“Don’t,” he managed to grate out.

It was the only word he could get out past his fangs and clenched teeth. Everything inside him was falling apart and slicing open as his body screamed for sustenance.

He was ravenous, and she was so close.

“Don’t.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

Anguish etched Brokk’s gaunt features as he kept his eyes closed and head turned away from her. She ached for his suffering as she brushed his cheeks with her thumbs.

This is because of me.

If it wasn’t for Fabian, he wouldn’t be like this now. However, the revelation of what that bastard did to her had so rattled her that she allowed sorrow to consume her.

Once again, Brokk was the one who paid for it. She’d repeatedly pushed him away while in Doomed Valley, hated herself, and believed she could never love anyone as much as Fabian, but the whole time, her growing love for Brokk was breaking through Fabian’s potion.

That potion hadn’t broken completely, but it did crumble enough for her to find the ability to love again. That love had punctured centuries of her false beliefs about Fabian.

It was so strong that even before Fabian’s hold on her broke, she’d grown to love Brokk more than she ever had her ex-fiancé. And their love was a wondrous thing that would help them heal.

She hadn’t thought about sex since learning about Fabian; it seemed impossible to do so after what he did to her, but this garden, the water, and Brokk had reawakened her desire. The life flowing through here pulsed beneath her feet; it reminded her of their time together in Doomed Valley before the dungeon.

Their joining had caused power to pulse out of her as her body once again came alive beneath a man’s touch. At the time, Fabian’s potion still corrupted her mind, but her body had known the truth.