Fair enough. Unable to help himself, Adare reached over and slid her shirt to the side, revealing a birthmark in the shape of an old-fashioned key on her upper chest. “He will be helpless, hopefully dead, before you have to get involved.”

Her heartbeat increased beneath his finger. “You don’t believe that. Fate dictates that the blood of three Keys is the only thing that can kill Ulric, and you know it.”

Did she believe in legends? Fate? “You’ve accepted this?”

“Nope. I think you’re all way too into history and the prophecies of the past, to be honest.” She shook her head. “I don’t believe in fate at all, in fact.”

If that helped her sleep at night, so be it. He released her, his body aching. “I think I’ll go for a run in the snow.” Maybe it’d clear his mind.

“Wait.” The feeling of her hand on his bare chest nearly snapped the chains around his control.

He stilled, tension cascading down his arms. “I’m doing my best here, but this is too difficult.”

She frowned in confusion. “What is?”

“Being in bed with you.” He gave her the truth, which was what she’d do for him. There was no coyness or subterfuge in Grace Cooper, which only made her more intriguing. The woman wouldn’t know how to lie with a gun pointed at her heart. “You’re far too appealing.”

Surprise widened her eyes. “Are you serious?” she asked. Did she truly not know how tempting she was? “Well, I guess it has been a long time for you, considering the limitations of the mating bond and all.” Her voice was thoughtful now.

Was that guilt in her eyes? “What the hell is wrong with you, female?” he muttered. “You have no clue of your allure.”

She chuckled, and there was irony in the sound. “Allure? Are you kidding me?”

“No.” He frowned.

She shook her head. “Come on. Faith was always the beautiful one. I was her fun and goofy younger sister. The creative one with no curves and our grandpa’s nose. I can promise you that nobody in my entire life has called me alluring.”

“Your grandpa had a perfect nose, then.” Straight and delicate, like the rest of her. Sure, Faith was pretty, but Grace was unique, stunning. Beautiful and filled with a light that had no doubt drawn people to her all her life. Since he’d known her, she’d been quiet, staying on the sidelines, often lost behind her camera taking photographs that now graced palaces in faraway lands.

She sighed. “Anyway, I lost the fun after the coma, and I think I lost the goofy part, too. Brain injuries change a gal.” Her obvious attempt to lighten her painful circumstances made him sad. “You don’t have to lie to me.”