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Since he’d bled out much of his strength, the will to move was weakened by the many wounds he had. Every twitch ached, and he shuddered around her.

She’s cold.Why the fuck was she cold when he desperately needed her heat the most? It felt like ice had slipped into his vertebrae, and he had a fucking lot of them.

He grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled it up her body.

“Please,” she whimpered. “Not now.”

Nathair ignored her, since it was a pointless rejection. He had no intention of rutting her right now.

He removed her soaked gown and shoved the naked female against him. Then he nuzzled his snout into her throat, and forced her to wrap her limbs around his neck and waist.I need warmth,he thought with a shiver.

Brightness shone in the darkness.

He wanted to revel in what that meant – her soul had crested and hung between his hooked horns – but he couldn’t.Everything hurts.He closed his orbs so he could focus on her.

Linh eventually softened in his embrace. Her nails dug into him, and she rubbed her cheek across his bony brow.

“I love you,” she whispered against his skull.

He retracted an arm so he could do the sign she taught him. “I love you,” he said with his right hand by pressing it against the small of her back.

Linh gave a sob that had a strange lightness to it. “Did my dad tell you what it means?”

Nathair answered with a nod.

Little female, I love you more than life itself.

She would never know just how much that meant to a creature who had beendeadfor most of his own.

My heart beats inside me once more.And it was growing warm.

Even before Nathair crested over the grassy hill, he could smell the devastation on the wind.

He paused and stared down at Linh nestled in the safe cradle of his arms.

There is blood and smoke,he thought. He didn’t want her to have to witness it when she’d already suffered a terrifying night.

Not only had she been taken, but she’d been forced to face a Demon in human skin. Her protector had almost turned on her – would have, if things had gone even just slightly different. Yet, like she’d been waiting forever to be embraced in his coils, she’d found peace in the arms of a monster. One who would contend with all her enemies. One who would place this female on a pillar of worship and guard her ruthlessly for all time.

When he didn’t move forward, Linh lifted her face up to him, and he had the deep urge to push back the loose hair swaying across her cheek.

Her brown eyes grew so light in the sun that they bordered on hazel and honey. They glittered with precious life. Her dark brows drew together in concern, somehow making her soft,gentle features look even sweeter. Her full, pink lips flattened, until the bottom one pouted forward in the adorable fashion she often displayed.

Nathair swallowed a groan at her face.My bride is so beautiful.The fact this female had chosen him in return boggled his mind.

It made little sense, and he didn’t fuckingcare.

She washis.Every inch of her soft and tender body was his to touch, taste, and hold. Ever since she’d gifted Nathair her soul, his entire essence had locked into sensing hers. Her voice, her smell, her touch, and heat. Even her heartbeat was louder, constantly thrumming in his mind like a playful drum.

Even if she was insane to have chosen him, a Duskwalker, then that was luck on his part.

“Nathair?” she asked.

He leaned back and bundled his tail under him. He placed her round backside on him to free up one arm.

“We can go to my cave,” he signed, before he cupped the side of her face.

Her lips tightened knowingly, and she turned her gaze in the direction of her village. “Is... is it bad?”