Read Online Passion Ignites by Donna Grant - Free Book Online

matter how many times she clawed at her clothing to remove it, she couldn’t get any of it off.
    Lexi shouted for her friends again, but only silence greeted her. Her foot hit something. She looked down and saw Christina lying upon the street, her eyes lifeless.
    She knelt beside Christina and touched her short black hair. Then she cupped her face and tried to wake her. Lexi knew she was gone, but she couldn’t stop calling Christina’s name.
    Her friend was dead because she hadn’t acted on her feelings and warned her away. Worse, Lexi hadn’t followed her immediately. It had taken her too long to find Christina. If only she had acted quicker, found her sooner, Christina might be alive.
    Suddenly, the fog vanished. Though no one touched her, she had the feeling that strong arms were wrapped around her, soothing her fears and her sorrow.
    Lexi closed her eyes and breathed easier. No longer was there the weight of being responsible for Christina’s death on her shoulders. For the moment, it was gone. Lexi basked in the peace of it and didn’t fight the sleep that claimed her.
    *   *   *
    Thorn held Lexi against him as he stroked her hair. He hadn’t wanted to hold her in such a manner, but her thrashing and the hollowness of her voice as she repeatedly called Christina’s name had been too much.
    As soon as Thorn pulled her against him, she calmed. He held her, loathed to move away, even though he noticed that her gown and the sheets were soaked with sweat.
    Thorn was still holding her when Darius returned. Darius didn’t bat an eye when he came to the doorway and saw them.
    â€œHer fever broke,” Thorn said.
    Darius nodded and left. He came back a moment later with a clean set of sheets. Thorn gathered Lexi in his arms while Darius stripped the bed. As soon as Darius had the new sheets on, Thorn laid her down and found another gown. He hastily changed her and covered her once more—peeking at her only twice.
    â€œYou didna look,” Darius said.
    Thorn wadded up the soaked gown and tossed it with the sheets. “She’s ill.”
    â€œThat wouldna stop most.”
    â€œI’m no’ most.”
    Darius was silent for a long while before he said, “Nay, Thorn, you’re no’.”
    Thorn looked at him. He wasn’t surprised that Darius had answered Con’s call for all Kings sleeping away the centuries to wake for battle. What Thorn was shocked at was Darius himself.
    The last time he had seen Darius he had taken to his cave, intending never to wake again. Darius wasn’t jesting when he said he had his demons. All the Kings did, but Darius had more than most.
    â€œWhat?” Darius asked.
    â€œI never asked. How are you?”
    Darius’s smile was tight, forced. “I’m killing Dark. I’m doing pretty good at the moment.”
    Thorn wondered how long that would last.
    â€œI hear that my awakening was compared to Kellan’s,” Darius said. “Are you concerned?”
    â€œA King takes to his mountain for many reasons. I’m no’ concerned about you. I’m concerned for you.”
    Darius dropped his gaze to the ground. “I’ll be fine.”
    â€œThere’s no need to lie. No’ to me.”
    â€œYou live long enough, you suffer every way imaginable. The mortals can no’ grasp what we endure, what we can never forget.”
    Thorn nodded. “And yet some of us have found peace with their mates.”
    â€œI doona expect the same for myself. I’m … unable to…” Darius swallowed, his pause lengthening.
    With a soft turn of his lips, Thorn waited for Darius to look at him. When he did, Thorn said, “I know.”
    Darius hastily looked away and then walked into the kitchen. Thorn turned his attention back to the bed and froze when he found Lexi’s eyes open.
    She stared at him a moment, and then softly closed her lids, drifting