Let the Storm Break (Sky Fall #2)(22)

he came after me.

Sharp hisses bring me back to the present, and my heart aches as

three of the drafts turn dull gray and coil around Aston’s waist. “It’s the only way to keep myself together,” he explains as the

winds vanish into the holes in his skin. “Another way Raiden tried

to secure my loyalty. He wanted to be sure I could never escape, even

if I wanted to.”

“But you did, escape,” I remind him.

“Only from his fortress. Never from his influence.”

He traces his fingers along the twenty-nine holes in his shoulder, making me wonder again what Raiden did before number thirty. I ask a more important question instead. “How did you get

away?”

A smug smile twists his lips. “Raiden’s greatest weakness is that

he has no weakness.”

“What does that mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. His fortress has more security than

anyone could ever need and none all at the same time. Once I figured

that out, getting away was easy.”

I try to make sense of his riddle, but it’s far too vague to tell me

anything useful.

“Why are you so interested?” he asks, narrowing his eyes. “Planning a friendly visit to Raiden?”

“I’m not planning anything. But there’s always the possibility

that he could find me.”

“Not if you’re with me. I know how to keep Raiden away— something you can thank me for when you’re done mooning over your lost beau. I must say, I’m rather surprised I felt no trace of him coming to rescue you. I figured he’d be racing here as fast as the winds can carry him, and I was looking forward to thwarting his

daring rescue. Are you two having a lovers’ quarrel?”

“He knows I can take care of myself.”

“Yes, you’re doing a smashing job.” He hisses a command, and

the greenish winds tighten around my chest. My lungs burn and my

vision clouds, but just before I black out, Aston releases me. “That

ought to get his attention. Unless an incomplete bond isn’t strong

enough to feel that kind of thing.”

“What?” I ask when I’ve stopped hacking and coughing. “Please, I’ve felt your essence. I know you held part of yourself

back.”

“I have no idea what you mean.”

“Don’t you?” He grabs my chin, twisting my face from side to

side. I try to hold his gaze, but my eyes keep going back to his scars. Without them he would probably be handsome.

“Interesting,” he whispers.

“What?”

“I can see why he wanted you.”

His thumb brushes my lower lip and I jerk my head back. “Oh, relax. I only meant it as a compliment.”

Maybe he did. But the way he’s staring at me makes my skin itch. He whispers something that makes everything inside me stir,

and I brace for whatever pain is coming. But it lasts only a second

before he falls silent and the sensation fades.

“Feels like he didn’t hold back with you. You were the only one

who had doubts.”

I don’t know what he wants me to say.

“Wow, you really don’t know, do you?”

I glare at him and he laughs, rubbing his chin like he’s deep in

thought. It makes a vile, hollow sound.

“Let me ask you this,”he says after a second.“When you were”—

he puckers his cracked lips—“was there a little voice in your mind

telling you it was wrong?”

“Of course.”

Mostly my head was a blur of burning heat and wanting more

and trying to take in every single detail.

But I still knew that what we were doing was forbidden. He taps my nose. “And that, right there, is why your bond isn’t

complete. It’s mostly there,” he adds as I clutch my chest, trying to

feel what he feels. “But there’s a slight separation. Perhaps because

some deeper part of you knew you really wanted someone who

makes up for what he lacks in flesh and blood with a charming smile

and lightning-fast wit.”

He winks at me and I swear my skin actually crawls. “Oh, fine, you don’t have to look so disgusted. But it seems like

a rather telling thing, don’t you think? Loverboy happily gave all of

himself to you. And yet you couldn’t fully surrender to him.” “That’s not—I just . . .”

I don’t know why I’m explaining this.

I’m not even sure if I believe him.

But if he’s right, I never wanted to hold back. I love Vane more than I’ve ever loved anything, and if my guilty conscience affected something when we kissed, it was an accident. One I will be correct

ing when I finally get home.

My lips burn just thinking about it.

Though . . . that’s assuming Vane will even want me. I abandoned him.

Left him to deal with the Gales and my mother and the mess of

problems we should’ve been facing together.

I wouldn’t blame him if he hates me now.

I certainly hate myself.