Westward Ho! Or, The Voyages and Adventures of Sir Amyas Leigh, Knight, of Burrough, in the County of Devon, in the Reign of Her Most Glorious Majesty Queen Elizabeth by - (best books to read for self development TXT) 📕

He raised both hands, letting the flames run over him and through him. His power swelled, building with an intensity that made him groan. This is what he needed. Not Surcy’s love. Not his bond with Mark and Tristan. This!

A small voice whispered at the back of his mind. Fire is what killed you in your first life. Do you really want to do it again?

He pushed the thoughts away. Last time he was young and reckless. This time, he’d be careful.

Standing in the fire, he waited until every board burned away, until there was nothing but a raging fire. He sensed the flames eagerness to spread to the woods around them. The thought made him shudder. What would it be like to burn down the entire forest?

But with reluctance, he controlled his fire. Creating such a big fire would draw the attention of dangerous beings. He had to keep this to himself, enjoy it on his own, without consequences.

When every last piece of wood was gone, he gritted his teeth and smothered the fire.

Breathing hard, he looked at his skin. It almost glowed with his power. And God did he love it!

A shiver ran down his spine. He continued walking until he found a river. There, he washed himself, trying to rid himself of the smell of smoke.

When he was done, the sun had risen. He made the slow trek home feeling energized. Even his wound no longer hurt.

He might not have Surcy. He might resent Mark. But now, now he felt that he could face it all without crumbling inside.

When he reached their apartment, everyone was seated at the table.

Surcy turned nervous eyes onto him. “Where were you? We were worried.”

“And what happened to your clothes?” Mark asked.

He walked past them, swallowing down his anger. “Can’t a man go for a walk without you two jumping down his throat?”

Going to his room, he closed the door, locked it, and tossed his clothes in the basket. In the shower, he scrubbed until he was sure all hints of what he had done were gone. Styling his hair and changing, he stared at himself in the mirror. No one would have a clue what he’d done.

They had their secrets. Well, now he had his.

At the table, he swallowed down his tasteless coffee and eggs and waited.

“As soon as we heal up, we need to search for the other Immortal I saw.” Mark began, sounding tired and sore.

He should have rested instead of fucking Surcy.

“You’re the boss,” he said. “Just tell us what to do.”

He could feel more than one gaze cling to him, but he didn’t care. Once Mark found them the next Immortal, Daniel would show Surcy what he was capable of. And maybe she’d realize he was more than just a good lay.

That’s not how you won her heart last time. He pushed the treacherous thought aside, clenching his teeth. None of that mattered, because Surcy didn’t remember that.

Rising from the table, he put his dishes in the sink.

“How are you feeling?” Tristan asked, and he could sense the worry behind the stoic gargoyle’s question.

He didn’t meet the other man’s gaze, he was just too damn observant. “A little sore, but I’ll live.”

Heading for his room, he decided to check with his human team. He’d hired them to monitor his stocks and investments when he didn’t have time to do it himself. They were good. Damn good. But it’d been longer than usual since he’d talked to them last.

When he reached his room, he seated himself at his desk and pulled out his cellphone.

There was a knock at his door.

Fuck.

“Come in.”

Surcy slipped in. It was impossible not to look at her. She was so damn beautiful. Her hair still damp from a shower. Her cheeks flushed with good health. She’d changed so much since she’d returned from Caine. Each day she looked more like her old self, but that made it even harder to remember that everything had changed between them.

“I just,” she stared, hesitating. “I wanted to see how you were really doing. I didn’t get to see you much after we got back.”

He tried to keep the anger out of his voice. “Well, you were busy with Mark.”

She stiffened. “He was worse off, and Tristan was taking care of you.”

Tilting his head, he stared at her. “Whatever you have to tell yourself, babe.”

Something flashed in her eyes. “Look, I’m sorry. I should have come by, but I’m here now.”

How helpful. “Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. I’m not like Mark. I don’t need you fussing over me like I’m helpless.”

“He wasn’t helpless. He was just—“

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Like I said. I didn’t need you here. In fact, I don’t need you for much. I’m a fucking demon who can take care of his own damn self.”

Now he was sure it was anger in her eyes. “Why are you being such an ass?”

“I know since you got back you’ve gotten used to us all focused on you, but I think you’re strong enough now that I don’t have to coddle you anymore. If that makes me an ass, then I guess I’m an ass.”

Her hands planted on her hips. “I never needed you to coddle me!”

He smirked. “Look, I have some work to do. Maybe Mark is fine dealing with your hysterics, but I don’t have the patience for it.”

“You’re an asshole,” she hissed, then turning, she stomped out the door.

When it shut, he sank back in his chair. Why did his entire chest ache? He rubbed at it, staring at the door. He needed to call his team. He needed to keep busy, but he just kept staring at the door, wondering what he was supposed to do.

There was no way he could let Surcy know how much she hurt him. He would keep her at arm’s length for a while, until