Restraint (The Revelation Series Book 2) Read Free

on your unmerited guilt about Kaiden. You did what we trained you to do. Your actions were simply an act of self-defense. Yes, he was a casualty, but it was either you or him. Your response to his assault was instinctive and essential. He was clearly going to harm you. Killing him was the only way to stop him, siren,” he consoles in a gentle manner.
    “I know.” I sigh. “I just can’t help think if I hadn’t, Aria would still be here with us. Deacon only murdered her in retaliation for the death of his brother,” I answer, emotionless.
    Asher shakes his head from side to side. “You don’t know that. Deacon is half-demon. He kills for fun, Eve. Regardless of what happened to Kaiden, he would have attacked you,” Asher argues.
    I silently hold his eyes for a moment. “Tell me you saw how quickly Aria moved in front of me. Ash, that wasn’t normal.” I breathe out, my eyes pleading with him to see what I saw.
    His attention slides to the window with an intense focus on the clouds, as if they hold all the answers. Then, without a sound, he stands, offering his hand to me. My fatigued eyes lift and lock onto his glowing ones.
    Asher’s expression says more than words can. I place my hand into his as he brings it to his lips, kissing it lightly before guiding me to the back of the plane and into the small bedroom. Everyone’s silent as we pass by. They’re guarded. They know Asher and I aren’t supposed to have this much contact. We’re breaking the rules. But for now, they turn a blind eye in sympathetic understanding.
    The moment we’re in the room, he closes the door and guides me to the bed. I sit, my eyes never leaving his, or his mine. He bends down and pulls off my knee-high boots, one at a time, before standing with me. I inhale, trying to keep my breath even.
    With one hand entwined in mine, Asher uses his free hand to fold down the covers and help me get into the bed, allowing me time to snuggle in and get comfortable.
    After I’m secure ly within the warmth of the soft blankets, he lies down on top of them and reaches across the bed, taking my hand again and holding it overprotectively in his. The action warns me he fears I’ll disappear if he’s not touching me.
    He gathers me in his arms and kisses the top of my head with a gentle sigh. The small act causes goose bumps to rise on my skin as I close my eyes and continue to focus on controlling my breathing. I inhale his scent and bask in his closeness.
    “Sleep.” His voice is just above a whisper and his minty breath tickles my ear.
    “I can’t.”
    “Just close your eyes.”
    “I’m afraid.”
    “You’re safe, siren. There’s nothing to fear,” he assures, tightening his hold on me.
    “ That’s not true. I have everything to fear,” I argue.
    “ It is true. You’re protected. No one can hurt you,” he guarantees.
    I close my eyes knowing the promise is deceptive but allowing myself to believe, even briefly, that it could be real. “Okay,” I concede as a spark of hope ignites inside my heart.
    “ I’ll make all the awful disappear.” My protector vows the quiet promise while rubbing random designs on my lower back with his thumb.
    I rest my head on his powerful chest, allowing the echo of his deep breathing to lull me, easing my uncertainties. My hand finds its way over the protector tattoo that binds us through our blood bond. The force hums between us, melting me from the inside as I float away into a dreamless and visionless sleep.   

     
     
    2 New Realities
    Reluctantly, my eyes open, dragging me from my deep sleep into reality as I cling to Asher’s peaceful form like a lifeline. Taking advantage of his slumber, I allow myself to watch him while my mind drifts, wondering what it would be like to wake up every morning to his striking face. His eyes flutter for a brief moment, jolting the long dark lashes before they rest again.
    With out waking him, I take my fingers and run them over the dark stubble dusting his