Marcus held back, despite wanting to hold and reassure her. They always seemed to face impossible choices. He wanted to touch her hand and rub his thumb over her palm, reassuring himself of the strong lifeline there, but he remained where he was.
“I love you, Ella. I once said I would find you, and do you think now that I have, I’m going to let you go?” His voice broke because he recalled how Raven had spoken to Lady Elizabeth as he lay dying, and right now it felt like another ending was in sight. Marcus wouldn’t let go without one hell of a fight, and he wouldn’t let Ella sacrifice herself to save him or Nate, despite sensing that from her. “I believe in you. But don’t give up on us. Don’t give up on me. I’m here. I’ll always be here.”
Finally, his words seemed to reach her, and she locked gazes with him, closing the distance between them. He watched her swallow, studying her slim throat, and still he didn’t touch her, waiting.
Ella stretched her hand out, running her fingers over his lips and stroking his cheek, appraising him. “We’ve both suffered—so much.” She said on a sigh, “Don’t you ever feel like just letting go and giving up?”
Not sure where this was leading, he gripped her arm and wrenched her to him until their lips were inches apart, and he could feel the warmth of her breath. “Never. You never give up, do you hear me?”
Needing to taste her, he covered her lips with his. His tongue flicked at the seam of her mouth, coaxing her to open for him. When she wove her hands through his hair, drawing him closer, he lost it, thrusting his tongue inside her now parted lips and groaning at the sweetness that was Ella. She gripped his hair and pressed into him as if she needed the same reassurance he did. Feeling her heartbeat against his chest, he wanted nothing more than her naked and beneath him as his body reacted to her arousal. But he broke away, breathless with desire, leaning his forehead against hers.
“If we make love now, it will not erase the doubt I see shining in those blue eyes. I need you to trust me. Tell me, what’s going on inside that beautiful head?”
Ella removed her hands from him and swung away so he couldn’t see her face. “I’m going to reach out to the Morrigan. Apparently she wants to talk to me.”
Her voice sounded calm and rational, but he shook his head, refusing to accept any of what she said. This was a bad idea on an epic scale. He didn’t trust the Morrigan, but he knew voicing his fears wouldn’t work. His cell buzzed and he lifted it from his pocket. Seeing Jake’s name flash, he ignored it.
“Look, let’s get something to eat and some coffee. I need coffee.” He wanted to get her to sit the fuck down so he could play this game step by step until she saw her idea was not going to work.
“I’m sorry, Marcus. I’ve decided. There’s nothing left to discuss.”
Ella strolled away as light rose from the distance, the dawn, the start of a new day, and he charged at her, pulling her around.
“There is no I in we.” He shook her. “You are not alone, and I will not let you take her on by yourself.”
“This is my destiny, Marcus. She tricked us before. I know what she’s capable of, but she doesn’t know me, and I intend to show her. You said you believed in me. Well, this is your chance to demonstrate that. Let me go because I…” She brushed her finger over his lips. “I won’t let her harm you ever again.”
He sighed. Her resilience and determination shook him. This wasn’t over, but his cell buzzed again, and the heavy thuds of footsteps caused him to grab Ella and hold her to fight any intruder.
But Jake ran from the bushes, stopping several feet away. “I don’t want to know what the hell you two are up to out here, but don’t you ever answer your goddamn phones—either of you? We have a situation brewing in Boston. Protestors are walking the streets and reports are coming through of creatures at the scene,” Jake said.
“Shit—get everyone together. It’s time to stop watching and push back,” he said.
“They’re all awaiting the word, boss.”
“Well, you have it. We’ll be there now. Just give us a minute.”
Jake nodded and disappeared back through the leafy bushes.
He gripped Ella’s shoulders. “I’ve made many mistakes in my life, but marrying you isn’t one of them. We belong together, Ella, and while I believe in you, it’s time you believed in me. I’m not going anywhere, but I need to know. Do you still love me?”
Time slowed as he waited for her response. Either way, he would spend an eternity trying to convince her of his love. He wouldn’t stop. There would never be anyone else for him.
Tears made tracks down her cheeks as she shook. “Yes—I love you with all my heart. But I’m not sure it’s enough.” She wiped her face. With her eyes wide, she charged away, and all he could do was stare at her back, a coldness settling in his gut.
****
All the members of Orion stood, fighting along Newbury Street in Boston as hordes of the undead destroyed everything in their path. The glass
