Page 107 of The Vampire's Seduction

“You can try, but I will never let you go.” She sensed the magic in his voice, the compulsion, but she lacked the strength to fight it. His blue gaze, the utter love and sheer devotion trapped her. In her wildest dreams, she couldn’t imagine anyone looking at her like that.

Like she was his entire world. Like she was his reason for existence.

Her doubts evaporated like morning dew, and she believed his feelings were real.

“Cast the spell, but I can bet you my immortal soul it won’t work,” he said in a hoarse whisper. Her heart hammered against her ribcage. “I will prove to you the mating bond has nothing to do with how I feel about you. Bond or not, you’re the one for me, Olivia Rodriguez. So cast the fucking spell if it makes you feel better, but you’re not getting rid of me.”

Her lips trembled, and her vision fogged with tears. “Damn you.”

He sidled forward, his movements slow, his eyes staying on her, but she didn’t stop him. Her chest was swelling, filling with too many emotions all at once. Love. Fear. Yearning. Hope.

Should she stick to her original path? Or should she risk everything and believe him?

If the spell worked, if all their feelings were a lie, then this pain, this unbearable longing entangled with maddening bliss would go away. She would return to her monotonous life, never experiencing genuine love or passion.

Or Marek could be correct. That the spell would prove to be useless.

That everything she felt wasn’t because of the mating bond.

Teetering on the cliff of indecision, she remained still as his lips caressed hers, gentle and coaxing. A sigh escaped her as he traced the curves of her lips with his tongue. Everything inside her seemed to relax at his tender touch. His cedar scent swamped her and sapped away her will.

His chest was hard beneath her fingers, his body loomed over hers, but every movement was slow, careful, as if he were giving her all the time in the world to stop him.

Olivia could’ve stayed there, in his arms, where she didn’t have to face the future, forever.

He’s mine.She tilted her head to deepen the kiss, fanning the embers of desire into a raging fire.I can have all this. Everything. Why am I so scared? Why am I trying to ruin this?

She splayed her palms flat against his pecs, soaking in his strength. Strength she’d come to rely on. To take for granted.

But he wasn’t invincible. She saw Rowan dragging him out of the car again. His paler-than-death complexion. The cracks spreading along her heart.

He could be hurt. Could be killed. He lived a life of violence where one day, he might never come back. While she understood, more than anyone, his willingness to sacrifice his life for those he loved, she wasn’t sure she could survive his death if she allowed her feelings for him to grow.

Olivia wrenched away. At that moment, she understood the storybook villains who tore their hearts out, for she would’ve done anything to rid herself of this pain.

The raw, stark hunger on his face, the tint of red over his eyes, robbed her of breath. Everything inside her screamed at her to return to him, to finish what they started. He was the only one who could assuage the burning need inside her. Who could make her whole.

She jumped when the car’s front console let out a shrill beep. Tristan’s monotone voice said, “Urgent message from Kate regarding Betsy.”

Hearing her sister’s name shifted her brain’s gears immediately. “What is it?” she asked.

The console’s screen blinked to life, showing a stress-out-looking Kate. Olivia recognized Betsy’s bedroom in the background and heard other noises. Tentacles of doom spread through her as Kate spoke, “Betsy’s heart stopped. Dr. Tavitz is here—”

“I’m on my way.” Olivia didn’t bother waiting for Kate to finish and exited the car. She couldn’t lose Betsy. She just couldn’t.

Marek appeared beside her, already shirtless and wings spread. Despite everything, she accepted his help willingly. Her surroundings blurred as he carried her into the building and shot up into the air.

This is my fault. Why didn’t I translate the spell faster?She shouldn’t have gotten sidetracked. Shouldn’t have gone shopping with Leah. Her selfishness might have cost Betsy her life.

She’d promised her Mama and Papa to take care of Betsy, and she’d failed them.

Marek set her on her feet outside of Betsy’s room. Inside, the doctor and nurses were busy resuscitating Betsy. The flat beep of the EKG buried its claws deep into Olivia’s psyche.

“No, Please,” she sobbed, and buried her face in Marek’s chest. “Please, Betsy, don’t do this to me.”

“She’ll be okay,” Marek crooned and planted a light kiss on her forehead. “They’ll save her.”

More than anything, Olivia needed to believe him. It took all her effort to not fall apart from the grief attempting to swallow her whole. Her arms wrapped around him tightly to soak in his strength.