Primal Heat 05 - Darkness Reborn

him, she knew exactly what he was, and yet somehow, she believed in him. She had faith in him, that he was the man he'd tried to be for the last five hundred years. Rightness surged through him, and he knew he didn't deserve that gift.
    But he wasn't going to give it up. It felt too damn good.
    Keeping his gaze on hers, Kane slipped his free hand around her wrist and gently raised her palm. "I swear on the souls of my children, whether past or future, that I will never, ever violate that trust, Sarah. I give you my oath." He then kissed her palm, pressing his mouth directly over the injury and sucking her lifeblood into his body.
    The moment he swallowed, his whole world seemed to vibrate. Intense satisfaction surged through him, a sensation that he had finally found his place, that he was exactly where he was supposed to be. The words tumbled from him, filling her mind and his with promises that would seal them forever. Mine to you. Yours to me. Bonded by blood, by spirit and by soul, we are one. No distance too far, no enemy too powerful, no sacrifice too great. I will always find you. I will always protect you. No matter what the cost. I am yours as you are mine. The moment the words were spoken, raw intense need and desire raged through him, a need to make her his, to cement the bond. I swear to keep you safe, he added. Always.
    Sarah's warmth flooded him, filling him and spilling over into the air, making it glow with a faint white light. Mine to you. Sarah's voice echoed through his mind, as the words burned into his soul, branding him the way his mark had branded her. Yours to me. Bonded by blood, by spirit and by soul, we are one. No distance too far, no enemy too powerful, no sacrifice too great. I will always find you. I will always keep you safe. No matter what the cost. I am yours as you are mine.
    Rightness exploded through him, and he pulled her down, consuming her with kisses he couldn't contain. The lust, the desire, the animalistic need to seal the commitment they'd just made to each other. "I swear I'll protect you," he said as he rolled her onto her back.
    "I know, Kane. I know." Sarah shifted beneath him, giving him access, and he drove inside her, desperate to put his mark on her, to brand her as his, even though he'd already done it. He needed to make her his in the personal and private way of a male with his mate.
    The lovemaking was violent and fierce, a dominant possession, a promise of safekeeping, a baring of his soul. Sarah accepted all he had to offer, giving him her warmth and her trust and her faith. They filled the gaps in the other's soul, as he drove into her, as he filled her the only way he knew how. Sarah clung to him, kissing him back while promises and emotions tumbled unspoken between them, held only in their emotions and their touch.
    He thrust again, and this time it was Sarah who screamed his name first, her body arching from the force of the orgasm. The moment he felt her reach her climax, he allowed himself to join her, shouting her name as he held her in his arms, offering her everything he had.
    As the climax faded, Kane collapsed beside her and pulled her into his arms. He enveloped her with his body, tucking her tightly against his chest, using his arms and legs to create a shield around her, cradling her head with his palm. This was how he wanted to keep her forever. Safe. Protected. And in his arms.
    As God was his witness, he would not fail her.
    No matter who he was.
    * * *
    "Kane!"
    He bolted out of bed, arising instantly from sleep to vigilant battle-ready, his flails clutched in his hands at Sarah's startled cry. He scanned the room, and instantly realized there was no immediate threat...until his gaze went to Sarah.
    Her eyes were wide, her face in shock as she stared at him. The sheet had fallen to her waist, revealing the same curves he'd made love to all night long. Desire pulsed at him, but he didn't acknowledge it. He jerked his gaze back to Sarah's face, his adrenaline screaming its readiness to take on whatever threat was endangering her. "What's wrong? What is it?"
    She pointed to him. "Your scars. They're gone."
    Kane quickly glanced down at his body, then he swore, shocked by the sight. There wasn't a single scar left on his body. Every inch of him was smooth, unblemished skin. His arms, his chest, his legs, everywhere. "Son of a bitch." He ran his hand over his stomach, unable to believe the sensation of his hand sliding across his body without