Redemption Read Online Free PDF Page B

Gage’s sentiment, my heart drops. “You
know nothing of what I feel for Asher. Don’t presume to. You’re
assigned to protect me, not school me in matters of the heart.”
    Gage just studies me before his face
softens. “It’s not your fault, you know. A mate link is normally
done after you fall in love. Then you’re bonded. Michael and Asher
took away your free will to make that decision. Ironic since
they’re both fighting a war in which the end result would allow
mankind their free will. They’ve tied you to him and you don’t even
know that you’re a prisoner. Not a soul mate.” His voice is
gentle.
    My anger rises with his insinuation. “I am
not a hostage. I would bleed out for him, without thought. Even
despite the connection, I know that without Asher, I’m nothing.
It’s easy for you to speak of love when you’ve built walls high
enough around your heart that you forget what true love is.
Sacrifice. Shelter. Loyalty. When that person becomes the only
reason for your existence. Destiny or not, Asher is my forever.
When I close my eyes, I see he and I at the end of this journey.
Everything that I feel, it’s all for him.”
    “You suffer this way for him, knowing that
he can’t give you a family? A mundane life?” Gage questions. “There
will be no children, love. Asher is the prince of the gargoyle
race, soon to be king if he fulfills his protector assignment. Do
you think the gargoyle line will embrace a human queen, one that
their king spat on their traditions and oaths to take? He’s broken
vows to his people, ones they will not easily forgive. Even for the
daughter of Heaven.” His intonation is mild, but firm.
    “I don’t know, Gage. I want him. Only him.
Forever. Everything else is just details.”
    He scoffs. “Life is normally lived within
the details. I will give you credit though, you are devoted and
unwavering in your allegiance and that, love, is the sign of a true
mate.”
    “Asher has my steadfast loyalty and trust.
Until he breaks it.” I stand firm.
    “Well, then, let’s hope the dark prince
never breaks it.”
    I lift my chin and push my shoulders back.
“He won’t.”
    “Love is blindness, that’s for sure,” Gage
says, moving past me toward the running trail.
    I exhale my agitation and lift my eyes,
catching McKenna’s narrowed ones. Deciding to ignore her usual
death glare, I spin to follow Gage on the footpath, but he’s
already too far in front of me to catch up. Damn gargoyle
speed.
    Halfway through the run, my lungs are
burning. Even though I’ve been conditioning daily, I’d forgotten
how grueling actual trails are. If the muscle cramp in my side is
any indication, I probably need to rest before continuing. I stop
and bend over, taking in several deep breaths before standing
upright. Gage is by my side in an instant.
    “You okay? Need a break or water?” he
questions with an even breath.
    “I’m fine. Let’s keep going,” I wheeze out
in defiance.
    “Eve, WAIT!” Keegan shouts from somewhere
behind me as I take two steps forward. Without warning, I’m
falling. What the hell? My body is projecting at a fast pace
toward lime green earth. I let out a choked scream before slamming
my eyes shut in preparation for the impact of my body against the
ground.
    Abruptly, my plummet is stopped. Two strong
arms wrap around my waist in a firm hold. With hesitation, I open
my eyes to see Gage’s staring back at me in fright. I release a
grateful breath that it’s him before I realize we’re stuck in
mid-air, his grey wings spread as they glide us toward the
ground.
    “I’ve got you, love,” he says in a
controlled voice.
    I just swallow and nod. It’s all I can do
not to pee my pants. After Gage places us firmly on the ground, he
stands taller and sets his hands on his hips.
    “Did you not hear Keegan say, WAIT?” Gage
questions.
    “What the hell just happened?” I whisper
shout.
    “Portal,” he answers in a bored fashion.
    I arch a brow at him.