Free The 13th Prophecy by H.M. Ward Page B

we sat in the sand watching the sun set. That’s what I kept telling myself. That I wanted you because you were hot. And that was it. But it wasn’t. That wasn’t the reason.”
    I pressed my lips together hard. Collin’s hand stroked the side of my face as his arms tightened, hugging me harder. I started telling him. I had to finish. I had to say it. “Death screwed me up. Losing my sister, well, that year was unbearable. The thought of losing you was too much. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t risk loving you, because I might lose you. And I couldn’t take another loss. It would have destroyed me. So, I never allowed the thought to surface again, but you did things—said things—that made me smile and the thoughts, the affection for you, popped up again anyway.” I smiled, averting my gaze from his. “Denial goes a long way...”
    He pressed a kiss onto the top of my head. “If the bond weren’t broken, I’d tell you to look into the memory of that day on the beach.” He smiled. “You’d see everything. You’d see how much I adored you, and how desperately I wanted to ease your pain. You were everything to me. I wish I could show you...”
    I turned in his arms and looked into his sparkling sapphire eyes. Smiling I said, “I love you, Collin Smith.” My throat tightened as I looked at him. One moment of bliss. One moment of knowing that I was truly loved, came and went. And that drop of blood was more powerful than I’d known.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER EIGHT
     
     
    Eric took his time getting back. I rested my head on Collin’s lap after we were both clothed again. His warm hands stroked my hair gently across my forehead. A blush would rise in my cheeks if I thought about what we did. His fingers traced the curve of my cheek as he smiled down at me.
    After much comfortable silence he said, “Close your eyes. Rest. When Eric gets back, it’ll be time to fight. If he gets back.” The thought had crossed my mind as well. Sorta -mortal Eric ran off into the middle of a battle zone. I was certain things worsened since the last time we were above ground, but I had no desire to look and see how much. It would make it impossible to rest. Fury raged through me just thinking about it.
    “He’ll be back,” I replied softly. There were things about Eric that I knew. Secret things. Eric wasn’t leaving.
    Collin’s palm stroked the hair away from my face as he looked down at me. “There’s no way to be certain of him, Ivy. I can tell there’s more to it. More you aren’t telling me. Just watching the two of you, I can see it. But I don’t know what it is.” His words were troubled, not jealous. He wanted to protect me from pain and hurt. And Eric was pain and hurt.
    Tilting my chin up, I said, “You don’t need to worry about him.” I didn’t affirm his suspicion. Although I was surprised he hadn’t seen it, or heard me speak to Eric when—whatever that was—happened. A chill ran through me. Fatigue gnawed at my bones. I felt every inch of my body, being so near to Collin. It was something I hadn’t thought of. I assumed the bloodlust would subdue. I thought I could push it away and call it back when I wanted it. But the emotions remained on the surface, sliding across my face as my brow pinched together.
    “Maybe not, but you’re worried. About something.” His hand slid over my brow again in a gentle stroke. My eyes closed and opened as his hand touched me, soothing me.
    I glanced up at him, “The thirteenth prophecy. I wonder if it says what the price will be for using the stone. I close my eyes and see your face painted on the canvas. It’s like an omen—a morbid omen—telling me to make sure you’re safe. But how could I possibly do that?” I laughed sadly. “Whenever I’m not talking, the price of the stone wanders through my mind. Lorren’s price was horrible. He’s encased in a tomb of beauty, forced to listen to the screams of the dying as they become part of his