From Ashes to Their Luna novel · Chapter 15 of 24

Chapter 15: Ask Me

By midnight Kieran's fever had him talking.

I sat on the edge of his bed in the lodge with my bandaged hand in my lap.

He lay on his stomach, and the salve had gone dark on his back.

The Beta's mate had gone to bed after three hours of watching him. I told her I'd take the rest.

"Margot's wrong," he said into the pillow.

"I know."

"She isn't, though."

He turned his head. His eyes were bright and not quite looking at me.

"You'll go, Nessa. When your wolf's strong and the land is yours and nobody can touch you."

"Kieran."

"I'm not going to ask you to stay. If I ask, you'll stay out of kindness, and then you'll hate me for it."

He swallowed.

"Let the door stay open. I can live with an open door."

I put my good hand on his hair.

It was damp, and it was hot, and he leaned into my palm with his eyes shut.

"That's why you never asked," I said. "Not at the bank. Not once."

"Don't need to hear you say no."

"I haven't said no."

"Haven't said yes."

"You haven't asked."

His eyes opened. They were clear for a moment.

"Ask me, Kieran."

He looked at me for a long breath.

"Stay," he said. His voice scraped.

"Not for the land and not for the thirty days. Stay with me. Be mine, and let me be yours."

"Yes," I said.

He closed his eyes again, and his shoulders came down.

I thought he had gone to sleep.

Then his hand found my wrist, and he said, "Come here."

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