Page 81 of Kiss of Seduction (Court of Chains #1)

Natalya wasn’t prepared for the effect of those words. She’d heard a version of them before, from Aleksander, but then they’d come from a Court ruler. He’d been impressed by Evie’s ability to act calm, even when around a being who commanded monsters.

Sam was just a human. A frightened, insecure human whom Natalya detested . She didn’t know what Natalya was or about the creatures Evie had lived around for months.

Around Sam, Evie wasn’t the Claimed of a demon. She wasn’t a person in need of protection. She could act normal. She could pretend the Courts and the denizens they held were just figments of fantasy. Even when Evie acted like that, all Sam saw when looking at her was a woman in love.

“Thank you for saying that, Sam.” The words came out unevenly. It made both Natalya and Sam lower their eyes.

Evie loved her so much. She’d felt safe with her. She’d been at peace with her. It was unfair. It was unjust and cruel that Evie only got to feel that way for such a short time. Selfishly, Natalya thought it was unfair for herself too. That she’d only gotten to experience a loving life so briefly.

All her life had been tragedy. Her existence permitted no other possibility. To feel something other than conjured, possessive desire and then having it taken away so fast was a new kind of torture.

Despite herself, Natalya started to cry. It was a soundless thing. Just tears running out of her eyes and falling onto the bed. Natalya leaned over, pressing her face against Evie’s hand to hide the show of emotion.

What she wouldn’t give to kiss Evie again.

To hold her again. See her green eyes soften.

Hear her laugh and see her smile. Natalya would give anything if it meant she’d wake up.

Her position at Court, the Second Circle, her powers.

Herself even. If she could switch places with Evie, she would do so in a heartbeat.

The Fates were cruel mistresses, as was Lady Luck. They didn’t concern themselves with what was right or fair. Only what would and wouldn’t happen. Natalya caressed Evie’s hand, silently begging that the tapestry of Evie’s life have a more vibrant end than this.

As she held Evie’s hand, tears falling onto her freckled skin, Evie’s fingers squeezed around hers.

The world was foggy. Noisy and… slow. It was like every sound Evie heard was made at the end of a long tunnel, echoing in on itself for miles before it reached her ear. Everything was unfocused. Everything was far away.

There were voices. Voices she recognized. One was quiet and careful, as though the speaker didn’t really want to be heard. The other was firm and assertive. And worried. It was so worried still.

Evie tried to turn her head towards that voice, but she couldn’t move.

She couldn’t open her eyes. Her lids were too heavy.

She couldn’t feel anything other than heaviness.

And then, eventually, a warm tingling in her hand.

A gentle, soothing touch that summoned feeling in her body. Natalya’s touch.

She closed her fingers around Natalya’s. It didn’t matter that she couldn’t see or really hear what was going on around her. She could feel her. Feel her right there, holding her hand and caressing her skin.

There were more voices suddenly. Strangers. Bright light in her eyes and someone asking her questions. She nodded in response to something, but she couldn’t remember what had been asked. There was a tight sensation of a tube being pulled from her throat, and she gagged.

She tried to blink the world into focus, but she couldn’t make her eyes move. She couldn’t move beyond her head rolling from side to side.

“Darling?”

The word was a song guiding her through the fog. Though far away, it seemed so near at the same time.

“Natalya?” She wasn’t sure she said it out loud. It may just have been a thought. Then warm hands touched her face. It cleared the fog further.

“Yes, darling. It’s me.” Natalya’s voice, so confident and commanding normally, was shaky. “I’m right here.”

“You are?” Maybe Evie’s eyes were still closed. Maybe she was dreaming.

Then Natalya’s gentle fingers ran over Evie’s face. It let her body feel more. Feel brighter. It let her open her eyes.

She was in a bed in a hospital room. A nurse was next to her, inspecting her vitals on a screen. In the door were Drago and Sam, both looking concerned.

And leaning over her, holding her face gently, was Natalya.

Her eyes were shining violet, and her cheeks were wet from tears. There was worry in her beautiful features, but it was overtaken by relief when Evie’s eyes found hers.

“Hi…” Evie had meant to say something more, but she forgot what it was. She would rather look at Natalya than speak.

“Hi, darling.” Natalya’s voice broke halfway through the sentence.

“Are you okay?” Evie asked. It made Natalya laugh, though it came out sounding like sobs.

“Yes, Evie. You don’t need to worry about me. I’m fine.”

“I thought you didn’t like that word.” Speaking was easier now. The world was coming into focus, and Evie smiled. Or maybe she’d been smiling the entire time and only realized she was doing it then. “We’re okay? We’re safe?”

The questions looked like they broke a dam inside Natalya. She drew in a shuddering breath, and her eyes filled with tears. She leaned in, so carefully, and put her face against Evie’s shoulder.

“We’re safe,” Natalya said. “You’re safe.”

She repeated it, like a mantra to herself, as she cried silently against Evie. Though it took untold effort, she raised her arms and put them around Natalya in a loose embrace. Evie sighed, leaning against her and breathing in her lavender scent.

“You came for me,” Natalya whispered. “You stupid woman. Why would you do that?”

Evie held onto her tighter. “You needed me.”

A single sob raked through Natalya at the words, and then it turned into sorrowful chuckling.

“You’re my everything.” Natalya’s voice was barely audible. “I love you, darling. I love you more than freedom.”

She sat down on the bed, partially lying on top of Evie, though she didn’t put any weight on her at all. She was so careful. This woman who’d said so many times she was made to bring nothing but destruction. That she wasn’t made to be gentle.

It was pure bliss to feel her warm body this close. To be safe with her. To have Natalya be safe. The relief of that, more than anything, made Evie start crying too.