My heart clenches because she’s right. Just because we were together in one life doesn’t mean we would be together in this one. Yet as I stare across at her, I want nothing more than to take her in my arms and hold her close. I long to kiss her lips and lose myself in her embrace as I did so very long ago. With a heavy sigh, I nod because despite how strongly I feel, I cannot ignore Willow and Talina’s warnings. My love led to her death and I vow that I will not fail her in this life.
I lower my gaze from hers. “You’re right. Just because we were them does not mean we are the same people now, nor that we would make the same mistakes.”
She squeezes my hand. “I think we should rest so we can start early in the morning.”
“I’ll stay awake and keep watch for a while.”
She nestles even closer to me. “Thank you, Cael.”
When I finally allow myself to drift away into sleep, memories flash through my mind—images of our past life. She was mine, and I was hers, but our relationship was dangerous… forbidden. She was destined to marry five others to keep the peace within her kingdom. They were meant to serve as her loyal protectors.
All the queens before her had a harem for this reason. But not her. She wanted only me. And because I was the only one she chose, she died because I was unable to protect her on my own.
When I awaken, I allow my gaze to travel over her sleeping form. Tears sting my eyes but I blink them back. I remember it now. If not for me, she would have taken a harem as she was supposed to. She would not have died because she would have been protected as all the queens who had come before her.
But I did not want to share her with anyone, so I did not press her to take the others as her mates like I should have done to protect her.
I was selfish and it cost us everything.
Chapter 19
Kyra
Lying in Cael’s arms, flashes of memory begin to surface in my mind. I remember being in his arms like this. I remember loving him, wanting only him and no one else. My advisors urged me to take a harem as the queens before me had, but I refused because I wanted only Cael, and I also knew that Cael did not want to share me.
He would not and he could not. It would have broken him if I had taken another, so I didn’t.
I was not supposed to fall in love with my guard, but it happened when we were young.
Images and memories flit through my mind as I fall away into the dreamscape.
“Come back here!” my mother cries out.
Without turning, I race away from the castle and into the forest. I don’t want to be queen. I do not want the responsibilities she has laid out for my life, nor the men she has brought before me—each of them staring up at me expectantly, ready to take my hand and become part of my harem.
I certainly do not want to bind myself to those five men when I know I only want one—one who will never want to share me with another.
“Bryndon!” I call out as soon as I reach the edge of the forest. “Where are you?”
I smile as he rushes toward me, relieved he waited all day in our secret place for me to appear. He crushes his lips to mine.
“Where were you?” he breathes between kisses. “I was afraid you wouldn’t come.”
I wrap my arms around him and pull him closer.
“Mother says I’m to marry five men. That I must take a harem like her.”
He rips his mouth from mine, staring at me in shock.
“And what did you tell her?”
“I want only you, Bryndon.” I shake my head softly as a tear slips down my cheek. “You and no other.”
He smiles and presses his lips again to mine. Wrapping his arms around me, he rolls me beneath him as he kisses me with a passion that steals the very breath from my lungs.
“I love you, Alora,” he whispers into my mouth. “I love you so much.”
I reach up and cup his cheek. “Make love to me, Bryndon.”
His mouth drifts open. “But… we are not bonded to one another yet.”
“And we won’t be, Bryndon, if I go back to the castle now.” A tear slips down my cheek. “I’m to be bonded to them in the morning.”
He clenches his jaw as he stares down at me, fire burning in his gaze. “No,” he grinds out. “You are mine. They cannot have you.”
“Then, take me Bryndon. Seal me to you. If we do this, Mother will have to agree to let us bond.” I smile up at him. “It would bind our life force together; she cannot undo it.”
With a heavy sigh, he drops his head to the curve of my neck and shoulder, groaning in frustration.
“I want you, Alora, but not like this. Not when you are forced to do something you aren’t ready for, just so you will not have to—”
I place my hands on either side of his face and force his gaze to mine.
“No one is forcing me. I’ve wanted you for so long, Bryndon. I’ve dreamed of this so many times, my love.” I cup my hand to the back of his neck and pull his lips down to mine. “I want you, Bryndon. You and no other.”
“You and no other,” he whispers against
