Of Thorn and Thread (Daughters of Eville #4) - Chanda Hahn Page 0,78

smoke, fire.

Tears burned in my eyes and I whimpered, feeling my own throat swell closed from breathing in the fire. I was suffocating, unable to breathe. The injured basajaun ran to a cave and rolled a rock in front, protecting whatever lay within.

“No,” I whispered. “No.” I flung my fist out and hit a solid wall of flesh.

A hand grasped mine and pulled me close. I fell into strong protective arms. Liam’s.

“Shh,” he whispered. “I’ll protect you.” He gathered me to him, easily moving me onto his lap, cradling me as he rested his back against the trunk of the willow.

My head rested on his chest, and the voices and haunted memories ceased. The only sound I heard was the fast rhythmic beating of Liam’s heart.

Why does he have to be so gentle?

I pulled from his embrace, and he moaned into my hair. “Please, don’t leave.”

I froze at his words.

“I know you don’t want me to chase away the darkness.” It was a statement, but the next thought slipped through. But I need you to chase away mine.

“Liam,” I began, my heart swelling with unspoken feelings.

“I know you chose Devin,” he whispered. “But I can’t accept it. I feel it here in my heart that you’re mine.” Liam leaned back. His hand cupped my face and gazed into my eyes.

Could he feel the racing of my heart? The desire to kiss him overwhelmed me. I needed him like I needed air. He was the one I was addicted too.

The wistfulness disappeared, and he became serious.

It would be so much easier if I knew how she felt about me.

Swallowing, I struggled with the truth. “I don’t . . . I don’t love Devin.” Our eyes met, and I saw the hope rising in them.

“Really? I thought—” He shook his head. “The brothel, that night. I walked in . . . I saw—”

“A misunderstanding. We thought it was one of Esme’s guards, and we pretended to be in the throes of passion.”

Liam’s shoulders dropped, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

It still wasn’t the whole truth. I quickly added, “It started as a charade . . . and then suddenly it wasn’t. The kiss became real.” Heat rose to my cheeks, and I dropped my head in embarrassment. “That’s the truth.”

“Oh, Aura.” He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to mine, his warm breath washing over me. I really want to kiss her, but I’m scared that it will push her away again.

“No, it won’t.” I inhaled and waited.

He leaned back and blinked in confusion. “What?”

“I’m giving you permission,” I said impatiently.

He grinned. “Really?”

“You’re losing your moment,” I teased.

He pressed his lips to mine, his hand cupping my face. Unlike before, this one wasn’t demanding, but sweet.

An explosion of color like fireworks lit up my mind.

I internally grinned at his response, and using his own cues, kissed him back. He broke the kiss and pulled away, but then quickly leaned in for a few more gentle pecks.

How can anyone so perfect ever love someone like me?

“I’m not perfect,” I said.

He gazed at me with his eyes full of love. “You are to me. What do you see?” he asked. “Read me.”

“The truth,” I whispered.

He smiled. “Then believe it, and believe that I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll protect you.”

I looked away, out into the darkness, and shivered. Liam tucked me into his side, letting me lean into his chest. He put his cloak around the two of us and rested his chin on my head.

I drifted off just as I caught his final thought.

Please let me be near her for just one more night. Followed by a flash of fear. He quickly shielded his thoughts from me, but he wasn’t fast enough.

“Don’t you dare,” I said, catching his plan. As soon as I fell asleep, Liam was going to sneak away and take on the firethorns alone.

“Aura, you don’t understand, I only want to protect you.”

“Then you will understand when I only want to do the same.” With a heavy heart, I reached up and placed my finger in the middle of Liam’s forehead, cutting him off.

Somnus.

His head fell forward, and he slumped into a deep sleep.

“Forgive me. If one of us is going to go battle a vengeful sorcerer, it’s me.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

“I must be completely out of my mind,” I muttered, facing off against the deadly looking thorns. Sneaking away from the camp, putting Liam under a sleeping spell, and attempting to take on a crazed sorcerer