Bane of Tenebris (Wolfgods Book 2) by Blaise Ramsay (i love reading books txt) 📕

reply. He set his book down beside him and stared into the night.

“I think you may have an admirer. She’s quite taken with you.” Jill said to break the silence.

Kain rolled his eyes. “If you mean Astrid, I’m already aware. She has been less than reserved in her attempts at courting. I have refused her multiple times.”

Jill scoffed. “Please. Astrid is a self-centered bitch. I wouldn’t wish her on any male. I was talking about someone a little newer to the area.”

Despite being relieved to find that he wasn’t the only one constantly annoyed by Astrid’s behavior, Kain still wanted to know who Jill spoke of.

She winked at him, elbowing him in the ribs. “Sorry, that’s for you to find out. I know why you haven’t chosen a mate or allowed anyone to court you. It terrifies you.”

“I cannot have an heir. I cannot wish this on anyone else, especially my flesh and blood. I know you know this.”

Jill rested her hand on Kain’s arm. “You can’t let fear keep you from living. From loving another. It isn’t what the gods want.”

Kain watched as Jill stood.

“Think about what I’ve said. You’re wise but you’re allowing yourself to suffer and it hurts my heart.” She kissed his cheek and went back inside.

Sighing, Kain picked up his book and glasses to head back into the house.

Kain went upstairs to the room Damien offered him earlier that morning. It surprised him to find Tala walking out of the bathroom into the hallway. Had he not looked up when he did, he might’ve run into her.

Red rims showed around her eyes. Her wet hair hung over her shoulder.

“Are you alright?” Kain asked.

Tala wiped her face with the sleeve of the sweatshirt. “I’m fine. Just borrowing the shower and thinking.”

Kain raised her face to look at him. “Did you remember something else?”

“No. I wish I could.”

“Then what is bothering you? Be honest.”

Tala bit her trembling lip. The words she wanted to say stuck in her throat the longer her brown eyes stared into his longing pools of evergreen.

Squeezing her eyes closed, she shoved passed Kain to run down the hall into her room, slamming the door.

Tala leaned against the door, sinking to the ground. Once again, Kain’s beauty froze the words in her throat. The longing in his eyes made her heart flutter.

She wrapped her arms around her knees. He’d never accept me once he learned the truth. He’d probably kill me.

A knock on her door startled Tala. She wiped her tears away, got up and moved away from the door to the lean against the dresser.

“May I come in?” Kain asked.

“Go ahead,” Tala replied. Her words came out more like a sigh than actual words.

Kain came into the room and took a seat on the bed. “Are you afraid of me?”

“No!” She snapped.

“Then why do you take every opportunity to avoid me?”

Tala tried to think of something to say. She didn’t want to hurt Kain.

Kain sighed, rising from the bed. “I won’t force you to tell me. I only hope you will come to me in your own time.”

“I don’t know how.”

Kain stopped, surprised, watching Tala clench trembling fists at her sides. She bit her lower lip, nose crinkled up.

“Gods dammit, I don’t know how to talk to you! To someone so strong and wise, I must seem pathetic!” Tala yelled.

Kain grinned, his hand resting on his hip. His eyes lingered on the young woman in front of him. For the first time since they’d been together, Kain took the time to take in every detail of her body.

Well-defined muscles ran the length of long legs despite her petite size. The soft, voluminous deep red hair she pulled over her shoulder would fall to at least the middle of her back.

Her fair skin held the gentle kiss of the sun. Deep chocolate eyes full of confusion stared back at Kain. Her lips held the muted color of strawberry; full and perfect for kissing.

Kain reached his hand out, slowing his advance when Tala looked away. He brushed the back of his knuckles across her cheek, cupping her face and guiding her to look at him.

“You are not pathetic. Lacking confidence, maybe. Your memories will return to you. For now, try to make some friends. I will see you in the morning.” Kain withdrew his hand.

Tala’s heart sped like a racehorse. Kain’s hand was so warm on her face. The comfort in his voice brought about a new sensation inside of her. Something she hoped would continue to grow the longer she spent with him.

After leaving Tala, Kain proceeded to his room and closed the door. Something he believed he wouldn’t allow himself to feel ever again rose in his chest.

Kain dropped to his back on the bed. The heels of his hands rubbed his eyes, his teeth clenched.

Dammit, he thought.

He gasped when the floor around him gave way to another celestial plane. He fell through the sky, his arms flailing until he landed with a thud on his stomach.

Coughing, Kain pushed himself up from the ground. This plane didn’t belong to Luna and Tenebris. The sun shone so bright that it forced him to shield his eyes with his arm.

“Alexander Kain,” a booming voice called.

Beneath his arm, Kain made out the shape of a woman. Her main features hid themselves behind the intensity of the sun. He could tell she wore armor and possessed three sets of massive white wings.

Kain tried to stand. The presence of the goddess held such strength, he found it hard to rise. “Who are you?”

The goddess held out her hand, her deep voice resonating in the space around them. “Alexander, I have come to claim you as mine. No longer do you serve the night. From this day forward, you are my soldier. Be my servant’s guardian and I will save you the Shadowed One’s wrath.”

“I don’t understand!” Kain called out.

The woman didn’t answer, she raised her extended