Free The Unforgiven by Storm Savage Page B

The only way you could be here is if you agreed to become the next Satellite.”
    “No, angel, while I was trapped in the void, your high ruler pulled me out. She needed to get me out in order to seal the gap.”
    “No…that can’t be. She used Naami’s… your unborn child…to seal the gap.”
    Raef nodded. “Yes, I needed the energy of a living soul to make the transition. I didn’t want Naami to bear my child, so I agreed to the Lioness’s offer to bring me back.”
    “She summoned you?”
    “You seem surprised. She did this for us, love, so we could become immortal together.” His gaze lowered to her neck and he smiled. “You accepted the necklace. Once you receive the gift awaiting you, we can be together.” He moved toward her.
    “Stay back!” She raised her blades. “I went through hell after you died, but I survived somehow. No way am I falling for Twilight’s trick. I know you were slated as their next Satellite if Von failed again.” He must be a Satellite, she told herself. He never had this level of superhuman allure before.
    “It’s true. They were going to use me, but the Lioness got me out in time. While Twilight was busy stealing Paloma, your clever ruler snuck me out of their clutches. I am forever grateful to her.”
    “Surely you don’t think I’m that stupid. You should go before Von returns.”
    A pained look flooded his eyes. “Von Calder is here with you?”
    “He saved me. He helped me avenge your death. We killed Cooper, then went after my ex-in-laws who are now dead. Hatch, on the other hand, slithered away.”
    “I know. Your council filled me in on your victory, but they didn’t mention Von.”
    “No…I guess they wouldn’t.”
    “Don’t be upset, love, they are only looking out for your best interests.”
    “I was just in the village and nobody told me that you were alive, not one single person, not even the Supreme Lioness. Surely, if she’d brought you back, she’d have told me.”
    “Didn’t she mention a chosen mate for you?”
    Flame shot him a perplexed look. “Y-yes…”
    “Everyone in the village had strict orders to keep my return private until I met with you. The Lioness wanted fate to take its natural course.”
    “Why are you doing this to me?” Tears misted her eyes. “Wasn’t your death enough torment? Didn’t you see what I went through? How hard I cried? Why would you come back as the Satellite and torture me again?”
    “Flame, I am not a Satellite. I’d die before serving the evil pricks who took me away from you.” He reached for her but she backed away. “Your ruler gave me that necklace,” he continued, with a nod toward the sapphire, “and instructed me to leave it in my bedroom before she took me into her realm, where I had to go through transition.”
    “You’re lying. This is too much to believe.”
    “Then how was Von able to hear me?” His eyes searched hers.
    She didn’t have an answer. Raef’s connection with Von had always mystified her.
    “Don’t you see, angel? We are meant to be and the good side has given us this rare opportunity. Once we knew that Von was willing to convey my messages, I left the necklace and went with the Lioness to complete the transformation into immortality.”
    “If what you say is true, then you agreed to use an innocent life to obtain immortality. How could you agree to such a thing?”
    “The Lioness told me that Naami took what was not rightfully hers. She returned my child to me as it belonged to my soul, not your former queen’s.”
    Flame stared in shock. “An exchange? Your unborn child’s soul for your return?”
    “Yes. But the energy source belonged to me,” he stated matter-of-fact. “I thought you’d be thrilled to know that Naami will not bear my offspring. That right has been reserved for you.”
    “No—no way would my ruler use a Twilight trick just to bring someone back from the dead. No, I refuse to believe that.”
    “She had no choice.” His voice