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“And killing you” My thoughts raced to keep up with everything It was an act—all of this “Dee?”

Daemon’s thick lashes lowered as he shook his head

“What?” I pulled in an unsteady breath as the crush of disappoint me, but it had to be worse for Dae?”

“No She’s sucked into theain, and I could see the weariness settling in the lines around his full lips “I don’t knohy Dawson and I are able tothink for ourselves but not her”

I placed the tips ofthe faint stubble “I think I know”

His brows rose

“Dawson has Beth,” I said quietly,his eyes “And you haveIt’s so about you that’s simple”

A faint smile crossed my lips “I was so scared,” I admitted after a few ain likelike you were I thought I’d lost you” Eet the words out “That after everything we’ve been through, I’d lost you anyway”

“You haven’t lost ainst him, and when he spoke in a low voice, his lips brushed my cheek “But I didn’t want you here, anywhere near here It’s not safe for you”

The fierce ache in my chest eased a little as his words sank in, but the bitter tang of hurt and fear lingered in the back of s I didn’t think even Daeainst his chest, above his heart “You really thought I’d forgotten you?”

I dipped my chin, and it was too easy to recall the coldness in his stare “I didn’t knohat to think Youyou looked at me like you did e first met”

“Kat” He uttered my name like it was soainst the skin behind my ear “I broke every rule of my kind to heal you and keep you with me I married you and burned down an entire city to keep you safe I’ve killed for you Did you think I’d forget what youin this world—in any world—would be stronger than my love for you?”

A choked sob escaped my lips as I buriedto him like a needy baby ainsta hand up ainst his shoulder, but I didn’t let go He kissed the crown ofwas okay Far froether we could face anything We would because we had to “What are we going to do?”

He tucked the tangledThere are gonna be things I’ to have to say, maybe even have to do—”