Page 111 of Wicked Bonds

Life.

Breathing.

So breathe,she told herself.Breathe!

Leela didn’t give up. She didn’t let others dictate her life. She was independent. In charge.Alive.

I refuse this fate.

No more.

No reformation.

No isolation.

No to this bullshit!

Leela’s lips parted on a denial, but an influx of warm air shoved itself inside and down her throat to her aching lungs. She coughed and choked on the unexpected intrusion.

It burned!

She gasped, her chest screaming in agony as oxygen revitalized her senses. Every part of her shook as tingles swept up and down her arms and legs.

Feeling.

Oh, glorious feeling…

A hard slab of concrete prickled against her back, the surface almost making her weep. Because she could sense it. Understand it.I’m alive. I’m free.

But her vision was still dark.

Yet a warm caress against her cheek had her leaning into the much-needed touch.More, she begged.Help me feel more.

Heat swept along her jaw to her neck, the gentle brush of fingers relaxing her inside and helping her breathe. Each inhale lessened the ache inside her, allowing her to feel grounded and more aware.

Lips softly whispered across her own, the kiss going straight to her heart. “You’re safe, Lee,” a deep voice promised. “I’ve got you.”

She shuddered, that voice a drug she’d hadn’t realized she craved.

“Just breathe,” he continued, his lips against her ear now. “That’s it, Lee. Come back to me, sweet vixen.”

If this was a part of reformation, some sort of dark trick, she’d scream.

“Not reformation, sweetheart,” he promised. “We’re still in Bulgaria.”

Her brow furrowed.We are?

“You fell,” he told her, his mouth moving from her ear to her lips again. Another kiss. So tender. So perfect. SoB.“I caught you.”

She tried to process how that was possible.

Seraphim didn’t really fall.

Not unless they were knocked out by something.

Her eyes flashed open.Patreel! They’re here!

“Shh,” Balthazar hushed, pulling her from the concrete and into his arms. “You’re safe, Lee. Just keep breathing with me, okay?”