Moonbound: A Dark Mate's Curse

I crept forward, heart thundering, grabbing the fire iron from beside the hearth. I edged toward the curtains and yanked them back.



Nothing.



Just the city. Just the rain. Just the reflection of my pale face and wide hazel eyes in the glass. I almost laughed. Almost.



Until the lights behind me flickered.



Until I turned around and he was there.



Kade. Standing in my living room like he belonged there. Like he'd always belonged there.



I didn't scream. I swung the fire iron hard, with all the strength in my body, and he caught it midair like it weighed nothing. His fingers wrapped around the metal, eyes glowing gold in the dark.



"I knocked," he said softly.



"I live six stories up," I hissed, yanking the rod from his grip and backing away. "You climbed the wall?"



He didn't answer. Didn't need to.



I knew.



"You don't get to just show up," I snapped. "This is my home."



"I needed to know you were safe."



"I didn't ask you to protect me."



"No," he said, voice low. "But you will."



There was something terrifying about how calm he was. Like violence simmered just under the surface, waiting. He moved like a shadow, soundless, fluid and too graceful to be entirely human. And when he stepped forward, I didn't back away. I should've. But I didn't.



"I told you not to follow me," I whispered.



"You didn't," he said, tilting his head slightly. "You said 'try.'"



I flushed. Damn him. Damn me. "You said you might kill me."



"I won't," he said, stepping closer. "Not unless you make me."



I glared. "That's not comforting."



"I'm not trying to comfort you."



His voice was rough and ragged, like gravel and silk. He stood close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. My pulse thrummed in my throat, and I hated how badly I wanted him to touch me again. Not gently. Roughly. Like he meant it.



"Why are you really here, Kade?"



His jaw clenched. "Because I can't stay away. Because ever since I saw you, I haven't been able to think straight. I've waited thirty-two years, Elara. I've lived through things that would kill most men. I've lost control of everything except this. You're the only thing the curse didn't take from me. Not yet."



I swallowed. "And if it still does?"



He stared at me, something raw in his eyes. "Then I'll burn with it."



His lips crashed against mine before I could answer.



And gods help me, I let him.