He collapsed back into the chair. She knelt before him and grabbed his hands.
Ice clutched her delicate fingers like a lifeline, feeling her warmth and vitality. She was real. Now. He’d been clinging to ghosts for so damn long . . .
“You didn’t fail, Ice. Your father did.”
His head snapped up.
She squeezed his hands. “He didn’t treasure the daughter who had been his to protect and love. He never knew her or the joy she could bring because he refused to see. Instead, he used her to purge you of all caring to make you the strongest warrior possible. He never understood that it was your heart that gives you greater strength than you would have otherwise known. Your love for Gailene pushed you today to battle a wizard who, by all rights, should have killed you. You devotion to her infused you with power and prowess. And you won because you cared.
“Gailene is with you, here.” She touched his chest.
Ice gripped the arms of the chair and damn near crumbled under her fingers. His love for her swelled until he thought he might implode. His protective armor had been ripped off and he stood bleeding, raw … completely exposed for Sabelle to see.
She wasn’t running away. Wasn’t shamed.
“I’m there too,” she whispered. “Just as you’re in my heart. I need you. I need that caring core, that valor, that devotion. You’ve given it to me, and I won’t live without it. You found strength in your love for Gailene. We can build a stronger bond together that supports us both. One that enables you to execute the Doomsday Brethren’s new directive and still give you peace without giving up your future or your soul.”
Total acceptance. It was there in her shining blue eyes. Sa-belle didn’t care if he was Deprived or allegedly insane, had a temper, was haunted by ghosts, or knew next to nothing about how to love. Somehow, she’d seen deep inside him … and still loved him with her whole heart.
Ice couldn’t imagine loving her more than he did in that moment.
“If you could change the past, would you Call to me again?” Her lips trembled with suppressed tears as she asked the question.
She was afraid. His courageous, amazing witch was frightened, not of the fact Mathias got away, but of rejection. The realization tore down the last of Ice’s resistance. He could stand to walk away if only he hurt, but to purposely wound Sabelle? Unacceptable.
“Without hesitation.”
“You’re certain?” She sniffled.
Ice knew he could assure her again or simply prove what was in his heart. An easy choice. He never wanted Sabelle to have doubts that he loved her. And he knew Gailene would not only approve of his happiness, but applaud it. Another day, soon, he would resume his quest to kill Mathias, not out of hatred, but love. To ensure no brother ever had to lose his sister in such a savage fashion or suffer such untold grief again.
Ice cradled Sabelle’s face in his hands and smiled into her teary eyes. “Become a part of me, as I become a part of you. And ever after, I promise myself to thee. Each day we share, I shall be honest, good, and true. If this you seek, heed my call. From this moment on, there is no other for me but you.”
He finished the vow with a soft kiss, one tinged with love and forever.
Sabelle eased away. “You won’t interrupt me this time, I hope.”
“I’d cut out my own tongue first.”
She smiled as she stared right up into his eyes, and Ice swore he could see his forever.
“As I become a part of you, you become a part of me. I will be honest, good, and true. I heed your Call. ’Tis you I seek.” She brushed her lips across his, pouring all her devotion into the kiss. “From this moment on, there is no other for me but you.”
