Page 72 of Knox

No, that was out of the question.

Knox had sensed Adrian’s enjoyment, his satisfaction, keenly. It had been a near perfect night and the only reason it hadn’t beenentirelyperfect were Knox’s own conflicted feelings. He cared about Adrian—a little more than he reasonably should.

But at the end of all of this…

They were still from different worlds. Knox was still a demon and he did not belong in this world. He’d realized that while fighting the orcs and then the troll earlier. The magic of Veridia could cause nothing but harm here. This place wasn’t prepared to deal with magic and the creatures it brought to life.

Creatures like Knox and Caelen.

They had to close all the portals and go home.

Which would mean parting from Adrian and all that they could be together.

The mortal had a sharp mind; had he realized this too? Was that why he was acting so downcast?

"Could we speak in your room?" Knox asked.

Adrian licked his lips, then nodded. "Sure. Yeah." He straightened, then motioned for Knox to follow him.

When the door closed behind them, Adrian was the first to speak. "If you need magic, I can help you."

"But you don’t want to," Knox said. "I can sense that you’re conflicted." He could sense a whole lot of other emotions within Adrian as well. There was still desire there. Not as sharp and pressing now as it had been the night before, but it hadn’t gone away entirely. On a primitive level, Adrian wanted him, and that was reassuring.

The thought gave Knox pause.

He’d never beenrelievedthat someone wanted him. He’d always taken it for granted that other people desired him, being what he was. This didn’t mean that there’d never been anyone who resisted him, but he didn’t usually care in the rare instances that it happened.

With Adrian, itmattered.

Why?

Because Adrian was his mate?

Because Adrian knew all that Knox had done and wanted him anyway?

"It’s not…" Adrian searched for words. "I mean, I loved what we did, but…"

"You’re already thinking about the ending," Knox concluded. "You tend to let your mind get in the way of what your heart wants, don’t you?"

The way the mortal glanced aside told Knox that he was right with his assumptions.

"Are you telling me I’m wrong?" Adrian asked.

"Not necessarily wrong," Knox said, taking a step closer. "Believe me, I understand what you’re going through."

"How so?" Adrian looked like he didn’t believe that at all. "You’re an incredibly sexy incubus. Why would you ever worry about anyone rejecting you? I’ve read all about your conquests in the story."

Knox studied Adrian’s face, the way his eyes flicked away, the uncertainty etched in his furrowed brow. "I’m not worried about anyone rejecting me, Adrian. I’m worried about you rejecting me."

Adrian wasn’t convinced. "But why? You’re… you. You could have anyone you want. You will, once you’re back home."

Once you’re back home.

In Adrian’s mind, they were over before they’d begun. He was protecting himself that way. Knox knew that.

That didn’t make the situation easier to handle.

"I’ll help you defeat Caelen and whoever else is responsible for this," Adrian said. "But let’s not pretend it’s more than that. I’m a realist."