All through the long night, Lia and Aiden made love, over and over, dozing and waking to begin again. At last, in the hazy stillness that precedes dawn, Lia dropped into an exhausted sleep.
“I’m sorry, my love,” Aiden told her, his eyes and throat burning. Carefully, not wanting to disturb her, he touched his lips to her forehead, admiring how her delicate features relaxed in sleep.
I have to leave now, rather than play along with the monster´s plan. He’ll never return my skin. I’m too valuable a slave for him to release, but it doesn’t matter anymore. I’ve never tasted anything sweeter and more perfect than Lia. If the Dark One kills me, so be it. If he strips me of all I am, it no longer matters. I will protect this woman at all costs. If we stay together, he will find us both. The bes
