CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

“ M ate,” she repeated.

Craig nodded.

“Mate,” she said again, uselessly.

He laid his hands on her hips and continued. “It means I love you, Bri.”

He loves me?

Of all the things she could have said, this is what came out: “Why did you save the queen instead of me then?”

Surprise landed on his face before his eyelids dropped as he shook his head.

“It was my job. I had no choice, Bri. It nearly killed me, as did leaving you with the prince. It’s been these things which have clarified and brought out my feelings for you.”

He dropped his head to look her in the eyes. “Do you realize it upsets you because of your feelings for me?”

She nodded. “Are you sure you want this?”

He let out a little laugh.

“It’s not something we choose, Bri. It’s—well, we don’t know what it is. Chemistry, preordained, who the hell knows. But we get one mate. One, Bri, and you are it.”

A chill ran through her. She knew she had feelings for him. Maybe she loved him. But to give up her life? Deep down she had thought she would go home and forget him. She wasn’t prepared for this.

“I do...well, at least I think I’m falling in love with you.”

His ridiculous smile tugged at her heart, but also made her worry. He lowered his lips to hers and slowly kissed her.

“What if I don’t love you as powerfully as you love me? Like a vampire does.”

“You will. If not now, eventually,” he said confidently.

“I’m not turning into a vampire like Willow has. That’s not what I want. I’m sorry.”

The hurt in his eyes was palpable. So much so, she had to turn away. She could lie to herself all she wanted, but they both knew the truth. She hated being away from Craig. She thought about him constantly, and even when they were together, she couldn’t get enough of him.

But she had terms, and he needed to hear them.

“Perhaps we should date.”

He sighed. “That’s not how this works.”

“Well, perhaps things need a shake-up in vampland.”

He rubbed a hand over his hair and face, then shook his head at her.

“If I give you a choice, will you stay or leave?”

She looked down at her feet, but he held her chin and forced her eyes up to his.

“Answer me, now.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “I...”

“Fuck, we have to go. Brayden has called an urgent meeting. Hold on to me.”

He ported them back to his rooms.

“I’ll return when I can.” He glanced around the bedroom. “Unpack those damn bags. You are staying, Brianna.”

His lips landed on hers and he teleported away.

She hadn’t answered him, but he’d decided for her anyway. She sat on the bed staring at the wall, wondering whether Craig had ever intended to give her a choice. And more importantly, if he did, what her decision would be.

Because right now, all she knew was she couldn’t walk away from him. But she wasn’t going to let him take her humanity either...