I turn my attention back to my mate, my heart hammering wildly against its cage, desperate to be free, to leap into her hands and be close to her forever. But I can’t. I never will be.

My steps are slow and purposeful as I walk toward her, the sounds of Slaine’s demented laughter fading to a dull whine the closer I get. My mate falls to her knees, all of her strength leaving her, returning to the source and sapping all the fight from her veins.

Her chin tips upward as she watches me approach, the silver light slowly fading in her eyes, the luminous glow of her skin dulling—but she’s never looked more magnificent.

Her muscles give out just as I make it to her, and I wrap my arms around her, stopping her from slumping to the ground. I crouch, tightening my arms around her and coating my skin in the blood staining her limbs, needing to be closer to her, to memorize the way she feels, the way she smells before it’s all taken away again.

I pull back slightly, brushing her hair back off her forehead and gazing deep into her eyes, a surge of pleasure traveling down the bond and blossoming in my chest, heating my blood with tingling waves of electricity.

“Abaddon,” she whispers, reaching up to cup my cheek, her eyes going in and out of focus. “I’m… I’m sorry…I’m sorry I couldn’t do more…”

“Shh.” I shake my head, a small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth as I lean down, pressing my forehead to hers. “No. There’s nothing to apologize for. You did so, so well, my heart. You saved me.”

I turn my head over my shoulder, my eyes narrowing on Slaine with a murderous glare. “Allow me to return the favor.”

I place my mate gently on the ground, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before turning and stalking back toward Slaine. My wings beat the air, raising me to Slaine’s level and keeping me aloft as I reach out, my palms curling around my throat and tightening.

“You… You who betrayed me, who killed my soldiers, destroyed my kingdom, and committed unspeakable atrocities… For all of those things, you deserve to die. But my mate… you hurt my mate. There is nothing I could do to you that would justify the pain you’ve caused her. Nothing that could fill the never-ending chasm of rage you’ve created inside me.”

I grab Slaine’s shoulders, yanking his torso off the limb as a chorus of squelching and sucking noises fills the air. Slaine’s agonized cries pierce the air, but they’re hardly noticeable compared to the thunderous roar of the approaching horde.

“I’m sure your soldiers are missing you. Let’s go greet them, shall we?”