Page 136 of Broken Crown

Finally, feeling the fight drain from me, leaving only bone-deep exhaustion and heartache, I sighed. "Well, if you're not going to respond, then there is nothing left to⁠—"

He closed the distance before I could finish, turning my final words into a gasp.

CHAPTER 37

SEBASTIAN

Isnatched her around the waist and hauled her against my body.

Wrapping my hand behind her neck, I fisted her hair and pulled her head back, rasping against her lips, "For the love of God, please stop."

Every word from her lips tore at my flesh, leaving me bleeding and raw.

My mouth covered hers, taking in her air, tasting the salt of her tears on her lips.

The bitterness of her sorrow burned my tongue.

Her fingers clutched at my shirt as she began to sob. "You have to let me go, Sebastian. I can't do this anymore."

I caressed her wet cheek and cupped her face, searching her eyes, desperately looking for a shred of hope, a glint of light in the darkness threatening to consume me. "Don't do this to me, Sabrina."

I tightened my arm around her as if I could anchor her permanently to me.

I wanted her heartbeat to be my own.

I wanted the air in her lungs to come from mine.

I wanted my skin to carry the lingering sweetness of her scent.

I wanted her to…stay…to love me.

The flames from the fire reflected in the glassy tears in her eyes, turning them into pools of liquid azure.

"Every day I stay with you—in your world—will be a little death for me."

Crack.

I'd finally done it.

I'd held my little bird so tightly I'd broken her wings.

The pain was unbearable, a vise crushing my chest until I couldn't breathe, couldn't think.

The world was at my feet, and all I wanted was this fragile creature by my side.

And she was leaving me.

Blood pounded in my veins as a howl rose from deep inside my chest. My vision blurred, edged with crimson rage and need.

There was nothing more threatening than a desperate man.

With a growl that erupted from the darkest part of my soul, I lifted her off the floor and claimed her mouth.

In three pounding heartbeats, I reached the bed.

My bed.

The bed she should have been sleeping in this entire time.