Page 174 of Blood Day

So I kissed her instead.

No, Idevouredher.

I implanted myself inside her in the same way she lived inside me. I poured everything I could into our embrace, leaving promises against her tongue that I expected her to safeguard with her heart.

You probably won’t see me for a few days,I warned her.And there’s a good chance I’m going to have to cut off our link.

I couldn’t afford for Silvano to suspect anything. And remaining connected to Lily left me vulnerable.

You should still be able to feel me,I continued, speaking into her mind while I kissed the life out of her.But you won’t be able to hear me. And I may not be able to hear you.

It was the last thing I wanted to do. But I couldn’t risk being distracted by her thoughts in Silvano’s presence.

If something goes wrong, I’ll find a way to reach you,I promised.I’ll find a way to warn you. But you need to be prepared. If Silvano comes for you…

I swallowed, my heart instantly fighting with my mind, refusing to allow the rest of that statement to be heard.

Just the thought of what I needed her to do made me murderous. Sad. Utterly destroyed.

But I had to tell her.

She needed to understand.

Lily.I cupped her cheek, my forehead meeting hers as I allowed us a breath.Death is preferable to playing with Silvano.

I understand,she whispered, her pretty eyes meeting mine with all that vibrant hope and adoration again.

You can’t let anyone else see you look at me like that,I warned her.

I won’t.

I stared down at her for a long moment, memorizing her features and missing her already.I’ve never known love,Lily. I’ve never truly believed such an emotion could exist. But you make my heart beat with renewed life. You’re the existence I never knew I desired.

And you’re the dream I never expected to experience,she replied.The dream I never allowed myself to conceive.

Don’t stop dreaming yet, I told her.Our fantasy is just beginning.

She could no doubt hear the uncertainty in my mind, that pestering little murmur that questioned if what I’d just said was a lie.

But she didn’t react to it.

All she did was kiss me again.

Dueled with my mouth in an embrace that felt a little bit like goodbye.

Not yet, I thought.This isn’t our end.

I released her in a blink and teleported to the kitchens to grab her water and additional rations.

No one noticed me.

And it helped that I knew where the cameras were here.

Lily was still standing where I’d left her moments ago as I returned, her eyes widening at the sight of me holding what probably looked like a month’s worth of water. It was just a case of twenty-four bottles.

And a bag of fruits that wouldn’t spoil for another few days—bananas and apples.

Just in case anyone gives you trouble in the cafeteria when you go in for your rations,I murmured.I’ll have to inform Livia of this change as well. She may require a call.