Ruptured: The Cantati Chronicles by Maggie Mae Gallagher Page B

cheeks, noticing the stubble along his jaw. He held my mouth prisoner against his as he delved deeper, his tongue tangling with mine.
    Love. It did not exist in our world, and yet here was Quinten professing it. Why hadn’t I chosen him? I had known that the Council would force my hand eventually, and if I had made a choice, all of this could have been avoided. I may not be in love with Quinten, but I did have feelings for him. Could I allow him to save me, when it could cost him his life?
    I could feel his rising excitement at our exchange, even though he never touched more than my head. Putting a hand against his solid chest, I pushed back, ending the kiss. The hungry, possessive look on his face sealed my decision.
    “I can’t let you do this.” Cade would kill him, period. He already felt he owned me and would fight like a rabid dog to keep his claim.
    “Yes, you can. I want to. I should have done it a year ago.”
    “Quinten, as much as I want to rid myself of Cade, I couldn’t let you risk your life when I don’t feel the same. I care about you. You’re my friend, but it would be selfish of me to ask this of you.” I winced inside. I hated hurting him. And I could tell that my words had diminished some of the fervor from his features.
    “It doesn’t matter. I’m going before the Council anyway. I love you enough for the both of us. Give me a chance. Besides, wouldn’t you rather sleep with your friend than a man you hate?”
    I was not worthy of him. He meant it, though. Every word. His earnest emotions fueled the hope surging in my chest.
    “Okay,” I agreed.
    Quinten looked as though I had just handed him a fortune and he wanted to build a shrine in my honor. I was not worthy of his worship. But I would strive every day to feel something for him, to try to love him. It was the least I could do, given what he was willing to face for me.
    How could I do this to him? How could I ask him to face the Council and go up against Cade’s might? I couldn’t let him fight Cade. He was a vicious warrior. Terror seized me. We were both about to commit treason, but for real this time.
    “But promise me …”
    “Anything,” he swore, tracing his hands over my arms.
    “Stay away from Cade. He’s not worth potential recourse by the Council.”
    “After what he did to you tonight, absolutely fucking not. That bastard will get what he deserves.”
    Horrified, I said, “No, you can’t go gunning for him. He wasn’t able to consummate our union. You stopped him, saved me just in time. I won’t do this, if that is your plan. I can’t risk you.”
    “Fine.”
    “Just like that?” I asked, feeling uneasy. He had agreed without much of a fight. I wasn’t sure I trusted his response.
    “Yep, just like that,” he replied firmly, without hesitation. His thumb traced my lips as if he memorized their shape with his gentle caress.
    “Why? When you know you will be facing …” I gulped and closed my eyes. Please let me fall in love with this man! He was too good for me. It shamed me that all I could muster for him was friendly fondness. Shoving any guilt aside, I vowed to make myself love him to repay him. Because I knew after tonight, I would never be able to submit myself to Cade’s demands.
    “Like I said before, I have wanted you for forever, it seems. Besides, I’m not getting a bad bargain out of it. I’ll get you.” He kissed me again with a smile in his eyes.
    “I wish you would have made those advances.” I smiled sadly before continuing. “The Council will not be gentle and will likely question the two of us fiercely. They will check my body for signs that I am no longer a maiden.”
    “Zarek, huh? He took it.” He showed no hint of surprise. And here I thought we had succeeded in keeping our rendezvous a secret. My guys knew me well.
    I nodded in the affirmative. He might as well know what he was getting with me, for all the trouble my actions would cause him.
    “Did you tell