Forged in Fire (The Forged Chronicles Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

and upset her, but I was still so shaken up from the memory, confused by how differently it played out from what I had assumed. I took a moment and pushed it all away. “That came out wrong. What I mean is the memory has nothing to do with you, and there is no need to worry you with it.”
    “What was it?” She pressed.
    I had no interest in lying to her, but the truth was impossible to share. So I went with the closest truth I could. “It was of watching the Essence and Gerard unite.”
    “Oh. Charlotte and Liam.” All color drained from her face. “I thought she was like a sister to you.”
    “Wait. No. That is not what I mean.” I had messed things up further. “I was not upset about that. At least not for the reason you are implying.”
    “Then what are you upset about?” She grazed her teeth over her bottom lip.
    “Just the thought of her. Her refusal to help stung.” Once again it was not an outright fabrication.
    Ainsley’s face relaxed. “Oh. You are really upset about what she did.”
    “I am.”
    Ainsley rested her head on my chest. “I know the feeling, and it will get better.” She closed her eyes. “We can go back if you want. It’s getting really dark.”
    “I would like that.” I needed it. I needed her. I could feel the darkness spreading through me.
    She picked up her head and stared into my eyes. “Thank you for saving me. When Charlotte said no you could have given up.”
    “Never. I will never be able to give up on you.” That was true. Even if the darkness continued to spread I would still want her. Need her. But would I still love her? I would. I would find a way.
    “How did you find me?” She rested a hand on my shoulder.
    “I remembered your dream.” I could not tell her about my father leading me.
    “I would be dead without you. Thank you.”
    “Thank you for making my life worth living.” There was no exaggeration in my words. She was truly my everything.
    “It was worth living before. You were already a Guardian.” Her face darkened. “Wait. That sucks. That really, really sucks.”
    “What does?”
    “That you can’t just stay away from her. You are bound to protect Charlotte even though she turned her back on you.”
    I was no longer bound. The darkness had wiped that clear away, but I could not admit that. “I will do my duty.” I would. Just not a duty to Charlotte.
    “Do you think she refused her help because of your Dad? She made such a big deal about you being a different kind of man, but maybe...” Then she looked down. “I am such a bitch. Sorry. Why am I saying all this? I am never like this.” She rubbed her forehead. “Don’t hate me.”
    “I could never hate you.” I crushed my lips into hers, uninterested in continuing our conversation but very interested in tasting more of her. I needed her, and suddenly the tower seemed impossibly far away. I pulled her flush against me, letting her feel my hardness so she would know exactly what she did to my body. I cupped her breast through her shirt, warring with myself to stop short of ripping the fabric. There were other men around. I had to control myself. She returned the kiss just as intensely, burying her fingers in my hair as she moaned into my mouth. I squeezed her breast, and she moaned again nearly undoing me. I picked her up, reluctantly breaking the kiss. I was desperate to continue without clothing in our way.
    “James, I can walk,” she protested.
    I gave no answer. That would only slow me down. Instead I moved into a run toward the tower.
    We reached the clearing, and I reached for the door of the tower, but another hand blocked me.
    “Ainsley, how nice to see you again.” Gregor grinned as he stepped in front of the door, completely blocking our way.
    “Leave us, Gregor.” I resisted the urge to use force against him. That might upset Ainsley.
    “Are you unable to walk?” Gregor ignored me and addressed Ainsley where she rested in my arms.
    “I can walk.” Ainsley lifted