bane-forged sword. If I hadn’t abandoned my post to … If I hadn’t neglected my duties, I could have stopped him.”
Lucca stares at me with round eyes. “That’s madness. You didn’t abandon your post, Sax. I told you to take the evening off.”
I shake my head. “I shouldn’t have gone. I knew the enemy was close.”
Aurora places her hand on my back. “Sax, I think it’s high time you let go of your past. You’re not your father. You’re the most courageous and loyal male I’ve ever met. You saved my sister from a demon, and you went to hell for it.”
“We need you in the Red Guard, Sax. You deserve it,” Lucca adds.
It’s hard for me to let go of the guilt. I’ve been carrying it for so long. But maybe they’re right. I have to accept that certain things that happened were beyond my control. A burning in my eyes comes from out of nowhere. I don’t want to cry like a baby, but the choke in my throat is real.
I glance up, fighting the tears. “Thank you.”
The whites of Lucca’s eyes are a little red now, but he keeps it together.
“You’re welcome.” He stands. “I’d better go. There is lots to do. I expect Aurora will be moving in with you in the mansion.”
I seek her gaze, not knowing where she stands on that. “My living quarters are big enough. You’ll be comfortable, I promise.”
She smiles from ear to ear, making her eyes twinkle. “Sax, I’d move in with you even if your room were the size of a shoebox.”
God, I couldn’t love this woman more. The mating bond flares up in an instant, bright and strong. I forget Lucca and pull Aurora into my arms, crushing my lips to hers.
“Okay, then. I’d better go help Vivi with … packing.”
He’s out of Aurora’s apartment in a flash, almost as fast as I make her clothes disappear.
“Okay, where to now?” I ask in between kisses.
She wrinkles her forehead. “Would you think I’m lame if I said the bed?”
I laugh.
“Well, my tush is sore from banging on the kitchen counter earlier,” she continues.
“Rora, darling, making love to you will never, ever be lame. Besides, there’s plenty we haven’t tried yet on that mattress.”
“Like what?” The corners of her lips twitch up.
“Have you ever heard of bondage?”
Her eyebrows arch and her beautiful hazel eyes glint with mischief. That’s a shot of libido straight to my cock.
“I knew I liked you for a reason.” She links her fingers with mine. “Let’s go.”
This is the end of Aurora and Saxon’s story … for now. Continue reading for a teaser of Forgotten Heir.
44
Miranda
A week later
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve checked my phone. I haven’t heard from Rikkon since he had the vision about Aurora. We’ve become close after the Nightshade Market incident, despite what everyone said. We started out as friends, but I wish we were more than that. Sometimes, I think he also wants to cross the friendship line, but he never does. And now he’s radio silent.
I know nothing bad has happened to him, or I would have heard about it. And yet, my heart feels heavy all the time, gripped by anxiety and fear.
He’s no longer residing in the institute. He’s moved into Lucca’s mansion with the rest of the gang. Aurora is there too, but I haven’t visited yet. I’ve been avoiding seeing her because I know she’s going to bring up Rikkon. I can’t deal with a sermon on why I shouldn’t get involved with him. The talk might be wasted anyway. It’s possible that all the loaded glances and fleeting touches meant nothing. Don’t people in love see what they want and not what’s true?
There’s a knock on the door, and then Niko walks in.
I toss the phone on my bed and grab a pillow to hug. Somehow, I need the protection, even if it’s the fluffy variety.
“What are you doing? You’ve been moping for days.” She gives my room a cursory glance and then her eyes zero in on my phone. “You haven’t heard from him yet, have you?”
“What?” I squeak. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, come on. I’m not stupid. I know you have a major crush on Vivienne’s brother. I don’t blame you. He’s hot.”
Heat creeps up to my cheeks, and I can’t even hide my embarrassment because my hair is tied in a ponytail.
“We’re just friends.”
“Shit. He has friend-zoned you? Is it because of your major age