Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 125179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
He didn’t know how to describe what he felt for her. It wasn’t soft. Wasn’t sweet. Wasn’t fluffy. It was more like a dark storm that raged inside him.
She was so much more than the addiction she’d once been. She was no longer a simple obsession. She was . . . everything. There would never be any walking away from her. She might not have official rights to his soul the way he did hers, but she owned him just the same. And he point-blank refused to lose her.
“From here on out, you need to be exceedingly careful, Wynter. Some people will be tempted by Adam’s offer. A million dollars is a lot of money.” Cain cuffed her arm with his hand and looked down at the seal on her wrist that branded her his consort. “I’m not sure if even this symbolic reminder that you are not to be touched will be enough to keep you safe from any residents who think to cash in on the bounty.”
She sighed. “I know. Especially since Adam made out like he only wanted me to undo the widespread decay. There’ll be people who tell themselves, hey, it wouldn’t be so bad if we did it because it’s not like the Aeon means her any harm.”
“Which is why I plan to give a speech to the residents tomorrow. I’ll make it clear that Adam means us all harm.”
She gave a sharp nod. “Good idea.”
“You should know that I intend to put guards on you.”
“Yeah, that’s not gonna happen.”
He felt his face tighten. “Wynter—”
“No, hear me out,” she said, raising her hand. “If I was up against an Aeon here in Devil’s Cradle, I’d agree to it, just as I did when Saul wanted to get to me. But this is different. Adam is nowhere near me. And putting guards on me would send the wrong message.”
“It would send the message that you’re under my protection. How is that ‘wrong’?”
Wynter shot him a look. Her Ancient was not dumb. In fact, he was ace at strategy. So either he was purposely being obtuse here, or his overprotectiveness was clouding his judgment. “Because it would communicate that you don’t trust in my ability to protect myself. That would only embolden anyone thinking of accepting Adam’s offer.”
Cain clamped his lips shut. He clearly wanted to argue. Badly.
Before he had time to formulate a bullshit protest, she continued, “It would also make people wonder if just maybe those who doubt I’m a revenant are actually right to have such doubts. I can’t prove that I am a revenant without showing everyone my monster. That’s not something I can do as it would attempt to kill the nearest people just because it can. So I need to send the message that I don’t need protection from them.”
“It might not be enough.”
“No, it mightn’t,” she reluctantly conceded. “Someone might still make a try for me. They’d dramatically fail. And then I’d send a whole other message.”
He gave her a look that said, “I’m listening”.
“Revenants are something to fear. Fear is what will encourage people to leave me be. Not guards. Not threats. The best way to ensure that no one fucks with me is to let others see what happens when people do.”
Cursing beneath his breath, he tipped his head back.
She couldn’t blame him for wanting to do things his way. He’d never had anyone in his life who it would severely pain him to lose. He didn’t always handle that well; it sometimes skewed his thought processes.
If having guards would truly help her, Wynter would agree to it even if only to give him piece of mind. She didn’t like it when he was all knotted up inside. But she genuinely didn’t believe that his approach to the situation was the answer, so she wasn’t going to back down simply to make him feel better. It would come back to bite them both on the ass.
She hugged him a little tighter for a brief moment. “Besides, would you truly trust that any guards you appointed wouldn’t think to try to take me to Adam?”
Cain let out a long breath. “No,” he admitted after a few moments, his gaze once more locking with hers. “The only person I wholeheartedly trust is you.”
She felt her expression soften. “Then trust me on this. You know I’m right. It’s not like you’ll appoint yourself guards, is it?”
“I’m an Ancient.”
“But not invincible. I could end you.”
His lips canted. “I know. I like it.”
“God, you’re so disturbed.”
“Probably.” He didn’t seem all that concerned about it.
She rolled her eyes. “On a whole other note, how did your meeting with the other Ancients go?”
He absently played with her hair as he gave her a brief rundown of the conversation.
Her interest seriously piqued, she asked, “Do you think you really have a chance of piercing the cage?”