maloms:
❝ i’ve never claimed to be fair. ❞ nyx’s mate has taken a step back, replaced with the solider whose mind orbits around ways to minimize damage. they have one shot at making this work, zeus’ arrogance puts him at a disadvantage — in their hubris? they’re pitifully well matched. ❝ we need me as bait, i’m the only thing he’s after. ❞ fingers find the back of his hand, trace up knuckles to gently press against his own, it’s painful enough admitting how truly scared hope is to lose him. inhales sharply, feels the emotion crowd itself into mind, spilling over the rest of her insides with a warmth only matched by the nearness of his flesh. ❝ lizzie went with me last time and nearly died and i can’t — ❞ breaks off, brows knitting, voice taking on frantic edge. blinks rapidly, tucks lips against the corner of his mouth. ❝ . . . fight and worry, it’ll distract me and we both know distractions are dangerous. there’s nobody i trust more than you to protect everyone. ❞
‘ and if that doesn’t work? if making yourself the bait only ends up getting you killed? ’ how could he ever live with that? nyx has already had to endure losing his mate once, and even if it was temporary, he’d never forget the feeling of their bond SHREDDING. the hollow emptiness between their souls where a golden string once glowed. the pain had felt endless, the darkness immeasurable; he wouldn’t survive it again. call it stubbornness, or selfishness, but he won’t sit idyll while she makes herself a martyr. ‘ i’ve already felt you die once. please don’t make me feel it again, i ------ i can’t lose you, hope. ’ the person he’d become, what his power would turn into, would be dark and strong enough to shatter realms. leaning to press a kiss to her cheek, then the other, before settling his lips on her forehead. ‘ so i’m coming, no matter what. we do this together, or not at all. ’
