The Dark God's Bride Trilogy, #3 by Dahlia L. Summers Page B

running out of time. She didn’t want to be the boulder chained to his ankle. No, never that. She didn’t want to slow him down more than she already had.
    But she had never been colder in her life. She gritted her teeth to stop them from chattering. The wind felt like razor blades against her damp skin. The snow invaded and melted in her shoe. Wet and heavy, they were only slowing her down so she shook them off and walked with her bare feet.
    Countless steps later, Amara could barely feel her limbs. Her limbs weren’t the only thing that had given out on her. Her mind wanted to abandon her for sleep. She felt much warmer, much more comfortable than she did before. So warm that she just wanted to curl up and sleep.
    No! It’s a serious sign of hyperthermia! Your body is tricking you!
    She fought herself and lost. She dropped to her knees. Their connecting hands tugged at him. He turned around, and Amara gave him an apologetic look.
    “I can’t go on,” she finally admitted. “I’m sorry.”
    He unstrapped the blade from his back and then got down on one knee. “Get on,” he instructed.
    She used the last of her strength to get on his back and wrapped her stiffed arms tightly around his neck. He got back on his feet and moved forward. Their combined weight forced each step to sink further into the snow.
    She rested her head on his shoulder and he shook his entire body.
    “Don’t fall asleep,” he clipped out.
    “I’m not going to sleep… I’m just going to rest my eyes a little.”
    “Stay with me, Amara. Endure a few more hours and we can go home.”
    “Can we really go home?” she asked, doubts leaking from her voice.
    “Yes. I just need you to hang on for a bit longer.”
    “I don’t know if I can…” she confessed weakly. “I’m not like you.”
    “You can . You are much stronger than you realize. Use the same fiery spirit you’ve used against me. If you can handle me, you can handle anything.”
    She couldn’t help but smile. “That’s true. If I can handle you, I can handle anything… Can I close my eyes for a moment? Just a moment…?”
    “Don’t,” he warned.
    “Just a moment…” she pleaded as she leaned her head against him.
    “What happened, Amara?” He inquired hastily.
    “… What happened what?” She murmured softly.
    “How did you lose our child?”
    Grey eyes flew wide. Her heart began to race frenziedly inside her chest. The question left her in a state of shock.
    “… Must you ask that now? I don’t think this is a good time for…”
    “Tell me,” he said quietly.
    “That is…” she stammered, her mind frantically searching for the right thing to say. But there was no right thing to say. The truth and the lie were both equally horrible. She let out a soft cry and hid her face behind his neck. “I’m sorry. I’m so very sorry… the truth is…”
    “… I lied. ” He interrupted her. “I’m not prepared to hear it. I don’t think I will ever be prepared to hear it. I didn’t know what else to say to keep you awake.”
    “Are you sure you don’t want to know the truth?” she whispered into his ear. “I would tell you. I would…”
    He heaved a deep breath. “I can’t face the truth yet.”
    “Why don’t you want to know? I’m offering you the whole truth.”
    “Give me a little more time, Amara. I’m afraid I won’t be able to handle the whole truth.”
    “I didn’t think you were afraid of anything…”
    “I had thought so, too,” he said grimly.
    “…What are you afraid of?”
    A long pause came between them, so long that she thought he wasn’t going to answer. Then he spoke in a soft voice that could only be heard by the two of them, “I’m afraid that I could have done something about it. If I was there, I could have prevented it. I’m also afraid that it may not be accidental… afraid to learn how much you truly resent me. I’d rather run on speculation than to face the solid truth because then… I don’t know what