That was enough to put things into perspective for Denae. She faced the wall and took a deep breath. “Do you have any advice for me?”
Rhi put her hands on Denae’s shoulders as she stood behind her. “Pray hard, chick, and wish for luck. You’re going to need it.”
Denae had no chance to comment as she was shoved back through the wall.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Kellan had sent Denae away knowing it was the right thing to do, but it bothered him that she had gone so easily. She was a warrior, one who would never leave someone behind.
But she had left him.
Granted, he and Rhi hadn’t given her a choice, but he expected humans to think of themselves first, knowing he was immortal and could survive. Not to mention what she’d gone through at Taraeth’s hands. It was only natural that she’d want to leave.
She had fought against MI5, battled against the Dark Ones, and outwitted Taraeth without him even knowing it. She was special.
At least Rhi, Phelan, and Tristan would get her away from Ireland and the Dark Ones so Taraeth could never get his hands on her.
Kellan wondered if Denae would still be alive when he finally managed to escape. Con and the others would make sure she was looked after and want for nothing. Neither MI5 nor the Dark Ones would ever get ahold of her again. Of that he was certain.
He leaned against the wall and looked to his memories where he stored every minute he shared with Denae. He thought of her alluring body, her inviting mouth, and her enticing cries of pleasure. His hands remembered the silky feel of her hair, the soft-as-cream skin, and every curve and contour.
Amazingly, he found sadness filled him, sadness that she was gone from him. He should be happy to have her away from Taraeth, but all he could think of was holding her again.
There had been a moment after Taraeth left that he thought Denae had been broken, but the strong woman he knew had faced the world with a brave face.
He had seen the uncertainty in her whisky-colored gaze, and it had been all he could do to remain where he was. A part of him had been ripped away when he saw her held by their magic, naked and squeezing her eyes shut.
Kellan hadn’t even realized he’d called her name until he saw her flinch. It had been a whisper, a breath of need that had passed his lips.
That’s when he knew she needed strength and power. He’d hidden his rage and his shattered emotions and gave Denae what she wanted. Once in his arms, Kellan hadn’t wanted to let her go.
She’d trembled, holding him as if he were a lifeline. If only the damn chains didn’t prevent him from communicating with the other Kings via their link he would make sure Guy wiped her memories of anything to do with Taraeth so Denae wouldn’t have to go through life suffering.
Kellan dropped his chin to his chest and closed his eyes. Even mentally he couldn’t say farewell to Denae, not when her scent still clung to him.
As if his thoughts had conjured her, Denae stumbled through the wall, her wild whisky-colored eyes going right to him. She said not a word as she rushed to him and started pulling ineffectually on his chains.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded more roughly than intended. Kellan was both angry and pleased to see her. Once more she shocked him by doing the exact opposite of what he expected.
She glanced up and gave him a stern look. “Don’t act as if you aren’t happy to see me. I saw your eyes light up.”
“My eyes don’t light up.”
“Of course not,” she said in a strained voice as she put a foot against the wall and pulled. “What was I thinking?”
Kellan grabbed her by the shoulders and jerked her in front of him. “What are you doing here?” he asked a second time.
“Someone has to save your ass.”
He tried to push her away, but instead he dragged her closer, his gaze lowering to her mouth. He knew she tasted as heady as honeyed wine, knew her lips were as soft as down.
“Yes,” she whispered breathlessly as her fingers delved into his hair at the back of his neck.
“What?”
“The question in your gaze.”
He could hardly think with her so close. Her warm breath fanned his cheek before she placed a kiss on his jaw. It was so blatantly sexual that he fought not to take her right then, to sink into her wet heat. His shirt looked good on her, and it was all that separated him from her amazing body.
“What is the question?” he finally asked.
Their eyes met, clashed. Desire sparkled in her gaze. “You’re wondering if we could chance making love. My answer was yes. I need you. I need to feel you inside me.”
As if he could deny her that simple request. But he knew it went deeper than that. She wanted Taraeth’s taste erased from her memory, just as he wanted to erase it.
His hand splayed on her back as he pressed her against him. Her curves, her softness only spurred his passion. Then he lowered his head and took her lips in a seductive kiss that was both fierce and tender, savage and gentle.