CHAPTER 46
Frankie
For a second, I think I misheard him. But his eyes don’t waver. His voice doesn’t shake. “Our bond,” he repeats.
Is he crazy? “No,” I whisper, shaking my head. “No, there has to be something else.”
Zarreth doesn’t argue, and that almost makes it worse. Because in that silence, I know it has to happen. I’m just not sure I’m strong enough to do it. “I can’t lose you,” I choke out.
“I can’t lose you either.” His words barely make it past his lips. “I won’t, but if this is what it takes to save our children, to save our family…”
Tears blur my sight. “It’s not fair.”
“I know.” His thumb wipes a tear from my cheek.
“But the bond is nothing compared to my love for you.” He takes my hand and places it over his heart.
“This mark is only skin deep, but our love…” He pauses for a moment, but when he continues his voice shakes.
“Our love is so deep, even the Gods can't take it away.
My eyes close. It’s true. Nothing will change how much I love him, but it hurts. It hurts so fucking bad knowing I’ll never feel it again. The pull in my chest. The heat before his hands find my skin. The pulse under my ribs…the same one our babies carry. How am I supposed to live without that?
I’m not ready, not at all, but I nod anyway. “Okay,” I whisper, resting my forehead against his. “Okay.”
His hand cradles the back of my head, pulling me closer as my tears dampen the side of his neck. He doesn’t say anything. His body trembles when he exhales. He’s crying too. We stay this way, holding on for as long as we can until the worst of the sobs ease.
We finally pull apart, allowing just enough space for our clasped hands to fit between us. His thumb moves in circles over my knuckles as tears drip onto them.
“On three,” he whispers, his voice raw.
“One…two…”
I shake my head, praying for the next number to never come…but it does.
“Three.”