Suddenly, the idea of being alone in this cave was terrifying. Maybe it was clingy of her, but she didn’t want him to run off—not after what they’d just shared.

Her unease must have registered in her expression, because he leaned down and kissed her, long and slow. When he came up for air, that familiar look of hunger was back in place, tightening his jaw and mouth.

“I’m only going because we need to eat. I’m not running away. I promise.”

His vow took her by surprise, its weight settling gently over her shoulders like a warm blanket. “Okay.”

“I won’t be long.” He pulled on his clothes and set a short sword within her reach. “I’ll stay close. If you need me, call out and I’ll come running.”

She nodded.

He swept her hair behind her ear and gave her a look so filled with delicious intent it made her thighs squeeze together. “When I get back and have fed you, I’m going to spend the rest of the night inside you, Grace. And I’m going to see to it that you love every second.”

About that, she had no doubt.

Chapter 24

Torr had been lying about not running away, just a little.

Grace overwhelmed him. Made his head spin. Made him wish for things that were impossible.

Just the idea of being with her like that every night for the rest of his life was enough to scare him. Not because he couldn’t imagine it, but because he could. He could also imagine the lengths he’d go to keep her at his side.

Now that he’d gotten a taste of her, he knew he’d never have enough. Anyone who tried to stand between him and Grace now was in for a world of pain.

He would die for her, kill for her, raze entire worlds for her.

For a man with his abilities, that was a dangerous way to feel.

He knelt on the damp ground and simply breathed in the thick night air. He had too much emotion rioting inside him—too much love, lust and territorial greed. Grace was his. No other man would ever touch her, human or otherwise.

He could keep her here on this planet where there were no other men. He could stay and spend the rest of his years loving her. Or at least the rest of her years.

Even as the idea sparked to life, it died a sudden death. He couldn’t stay here. His vow wouldn’t allow it. Eventually, his need to protect humans and guard the gate to Athanasia would overcome him and he would spend all his time desperately trying to find a way home.

For now he was content. Protecting Brenya and the women here was important. The children here were vital to winning the war. And protecting Grace, the only human he’d sensed here, was a true joy. But it wouldn’t last.

Once he’d dealt with the threat, that contentedness would fade. He would become restless and, eventually, frantic to return home.

That wasn’t the kind of thing he wanted Grace to witness.

So what were his choices? Take her home with him? Watch her age and die?

It would destroy him.

Even as he thought about it, he felt one of the leaves on his lifemark rip free and fall. The pain made him suck in a breath and dig his fingers into the damp ground.

It was a cruel fucking joke that a woman who touched him so deeply could never be the one he needed to survive.

Suddenly, a strange sense of calm came over him.

If anything ever happened to her, it would destroy him. He wouldn’t have to suffer endless centuries without her. He would simply go with her when she left this life.

It was such an obvious solution, it was a wonder he hadn’t thought of it before. He would have his life with Grace and then let go when she did. No more war, no more fighting, no more pain.

His brothers would be one warrior short, but they were having children of their own now—more fighters to fill the void he’d leave. They wouldn’t miss him for long.

His decision made, Torr went foraging in the woods to feed the woman he would spend the rest of his life with.

All he had to do now was persuade her to have him.

•   •   •

Grace washed in a trickle of icy water seeping down the cave wall. There was no more light to guide her, so everything took twice as long. Still, it helped pass the time while Torr was gone.

Her body tingled with the memory of what he’d done to her as well as his dark promise for more. She didn’t care about the food he’d bring back, only about the man who would bring it.

When she heard the slight swish of brush outside the cave entrance, she froze, stuck somewhere between fear and excitement.

“It’s me,” he whispered, and all fear drained away.

She couldn’t see him, but she could sense him drawing nearer. The disk along her back vibrated slightly, but she couldn’t tell if it was in response to the one he wore or if she was simply shaking with anticipation.

“I’m over here,” she said.

“I can see you.”

“Oh, right. I forget other people can see in the dark.”

When he spoke again, he was much closer. She could smell the forest clinging to his clothes and skin, feel his body heat reaching for her. “If I could give you the power to see at night, I would. As it is, the best I can offer is a small fire at the back of the cave.”

He was so sweet, always worrying about her needs. “Will the light give us away?”

“No. I’ll cut some brush and create a screen. I need to cook the meat anyway.”

“What can I do?”

“Rest,” he said, his tone promising wicked delights. “You’re going to need it.”

Grace stifled a shiver and stayed where she was until he had the brush screen in place and a small fire going to light the space. It was little more than a single flame but seemed incredibly bright after so long in the dark.

He scrubbed a rock in the trickle of water, then set it by the fire and laid out several thin strips of raw meat.

“Good hunting?” she asked.

“Good enough. I found some berries, too. They look like the ones we ate earlier, but you should check them out, just to be sure.”

She took the pouch he offered and saw that he’d found the sweet red ones that ripened this time of year. She popped one in her mouth. “They’re safe.”

He adjusted the strips of raw meat so they’d start cooking, and opened his mouth for one of the berries.

Grace moved closer to where he knelt. Giving in to the pull he had on her felt good. Right.

She took one of the berries and fed it to him. Before she could move away, his lips closed over her finger, sucking on it in a way that made her nipples harden.