“I’ll protect Vale from harm and death at every assembly except the last one. Unless and until we are the final two combatants, I won’t strike at her, even if she strikes at me.” The beast, however... “In return, you will agree to complete the Blood Rite whenever I deem it necessary.”

NOLA’S MOUTH FLOUNDERED open and closed, choked sounds leaving her. Should she accept right away, lest he change his mind? Should she refuse and try to hold out for something better? Was there something better? Should she slap him for being so stubborn, sexy and infuriating all at once?

The third option had the most appeal.

He’d gone from looking at her as if he planned to devour her at his earliest convenience, to claiming he wouldn’t be kissing her ever again, to caressing her like she was the most precious person in his life. One moment, he’d incited the sweetest, wettest ache between her legs, the next he’d roused frustration, hurt and anger.

The anger didn’t last long. The man had resisted her attempt at seduction for legit reasons, and she couldn’t fault him for it. He wasn’t looking for a relationship; she was. He’d suffered enough loss in his lifetime; Nola had, as well, and she’d once shared his outlook. Now, she disagreed. Shutting down to prevent pain never actually prevented pain. It just made you miserable before the pain hit.

Nola had even given up on romance...not knowing a man was on ice, waiting for her. Had she not crawled out of her sickbed and gotten on that plane, they might not have ever met.

Life happened, whether you gave it your all or only a half effort. Though she and Vale had planned for every eventuality during their vacation, they’d gotten lost and almost died. Nola was ready to live!

“Well, princess?” Bane unveiled a glorious, sardonic smile. He knew he had her by the lady balls. “If nothing else, the bargain buys you time to figure out a better plan.”

Finally! A full-fledged smile! It made her weak in the freaking knees.

Concentrate. If Vale somehow won the All War, Aveline might come to Earth to execute her. What would happen to the hybrids if their beasts never awoke? Did they know they differed from other humans? Did they feel like something was wrong with them? Were they sick, like her?

“Fine. I’ll agree to your terms, if Vale does, too,” she said, a familiar crackle of energy pricking her. She frowned and whispered, “Do you feel that?”

Literal flames crackled in his golden eyes. He jumped to his feet and unsheathed his sword, the tendons in his neck pulling taut from strain. That strain flowed down, down his arms, ending in his fists. His nails blackened, then lengthened into claws longer and sharper than her own. His muscles expanded, no doubt deluged with adrenaline.