Page 30 of Loving Amari

“They don’t count.” She argues.

She giggles and shakes her head. “Oh, they do. I consider them my family too.”

“I’m going to send the soldiers to the royal island to help with security. Anora and Amir need it more than we do.”

“I agree.” She pauses, then looks up at me with mischief in her eyes despite the tears. “Now shut up and put me to bed.”

I grin, then pull back and look at her half-eaten burger sitting on the plate. “Finish your food first.”

She rolls her eyes and sits back down, taking another bite of her burger. Juice runs down her chin and she wipes it away with the back of her hand.

I watch her with a grin, but deep down, I’m worried about the next time she’ll have to leave me. How long it will last. And if I can handle the separation again.

The answer terrifies me. Because I don’t know if I can.

10

CARLA

Ilie in bed with Amari, who clings to me like I might disappear at any moment. His arms wrap around me possessively, and I can feel the slight tremor in his hands. My fingers trace lazy patterns on his chest, feeling the tension in his muscles even as he holds me close.

“You look exhausted,” I murmur, studying the shadows beneath his eyes. They’re darker than I’ve ever seen them, almost bruised-looking against his rich chocolate skin.

“I haven’t slept in three days,” he admits, his voice rough with fatigue.

I sit up in alarm, my heart racing. “What?”

He looks away from me, and I can tell he’s not going to argue with me about missing me.

I sigh and climb on top of him, straddling his hips. His hands automatically move to my waist, steadying me. Even exhausted, he’s always making sure I’m safe, always putting me first.

“You know I’m usually always in the mood for you,” Amari starts, his eyes flickering with heat despite his exhaustion.

“But you’re too tired right now, right?” I finish for him, running my palms over his chest. I can feel his heartbeat accelerating under my touch.

Amari sits up in frustration with me still straddling him, his hands gripping my arms. “How exactly am I supposed to feel, baby? It feels like a piece of my soul has left me when you go into limbo.”

The admission hits me hard, stealing the breath from my lungs. His pain becomes mine through our bond, raw and consuming. I’ve been so focused on my duties, on learning to navigate limbo, that I haven’t truly considered what it costs him every time I leave.

He gently rubs my arms, his touch soothing even as his words cut deep. “I try to be strong, to pretend that it doesn’t hurt me, but it does. It does, baby. It hurts more than you can understand.”

“I’m sorry, Amari. I’m so sorry.” The words feel inadequate, but they’re all I have. Tears prick at my eyes as I see the vulnerability in his expression.

He shrugs, trying to play it off. “Doesn’t matter, I guess.”

“Don’t say that.” I cup his face in my hands, forcing him to meet my eyes. “Come with me.”

Amari furrows his brow at me, confusion replacing some of the pain in his expression.

“We haven’t even tried with you going into limbo,” I explain, my thumbs stroking his cheeks. His beard tickles my palms.

“I think it’s dangerous...” I start to say, but Amari presses his lips to mine, silencing me with the perfect kiss.

Stars flash over my vision as he pours his soul into me through our connection. The kiss is deep, passionate, loving—everything he can’t put into words flows between us. His tongue sweeps against mine, his hands tangling in my curls, holding me like I’m the most precious thing in his world. I feel his love,his fear, his desperate need to never let me go, all transmitted through the press of his lips.

When he breaks the kiss, I’m dazed and gasping for air, my lips tingling and swollen. My whole body feels electrified, every nerve ending singing with his touch.

“I know I’ve turned into this clingy, overbearing vampire,” he says, his forehead resting against mine, “but I love you so much, Carla.”