Page 92 of Volik

Of course I don’t want anyone to see him like this. But more than that, I don’t want him to leave.

Slowly, Volik turns back to face me, and my fingers slip free from the back of his pants.

“Fleur.” His voice is a whisper as he reaches up and brushes the tears off my cheeks. “Please stop crying. I am sorry.” He brushes away more as they continue to fall. “I will never wear these pants again. I promise.”

I sniff, trying to find room in my throat for words. But the tears just keep coming.

“I will burn them.” He wipes away more tears. “Please stop.”

I reach up and grip his forearms. My hands look so small against his body. “It-it’s not that.” My choppy inhales jolt the words as I try to say them.

“Tell me.” Large hands tip my head back, forcing me to look up into Volik’s anguished face. “Tell me how to make it better.”

Chapter 44

Volik

Pain streaks through my chest at the sight of my mate’s tears.

“Please.” I struggle to keep the boiling power inside me contained. “Tell me what to do, and I will do it.”

Nix blinks, clearing the tears from her eyes as my own play tricks on me, making it look like her irises flash to black, then back to brown.

“Please,” I beg.

Her tears… they smell like awful feelings.

Like burnt perfume.

Like flower petals caught in flames.

Please do not ask me to leave.

I catch another poisonous drop with my thumb.

Ask me for anything, Fleur. But not to leave.

I hold my breath as she inhales.

“Stay.” She curls her fingers against my forearms. “Don’t go.”

Stay.

My throat fills with purpose.

Don’t go.

I wrap my arms around Nix and lift her to me, hugging her as tight as I dare.

Her body trembles against mine. And I let my instincts take over as I purr.

My chest vibrates. My palms heat. And I soothe my Nix.

My Only.

She tucks her face into my neck. “I’m sorry.”

A growl mingles with my steady rumble. “You will never apologize for asking me to stay.” I hold her head to me as I duck back inside. “You can ask that of me always.”