Read A Very Levet Christmas (Guardians of Eternity) for Free Online

manhood.”
    With a sound of impatience, Gia stepped back. Instantly, Damon regretted the distance.
    When they were apart there was something vital missing from his world.
    “I don’t question your physical strength.”
    “No?”
    “No.” She gave a sad shake of her head. “I question your heart.”
    Abruptly Damon turned away from the too-knowing gaze. This female knew where he was most vulnerable.
    “Don’t.”
    Of course she didn’t listen to his warning.
    Gia could be as stubborn as he was. An amazing feat.
    “You don’t want to be king,” she said, her gaze lowering to where the golden medallion shimmered against his silk shirt. “You’ve never wanted it.”
    He blocked out the truth of her words. “It’s my destiny.”
    “It’s the delusion of a woman who went mad from grief.”
    His hands clenched; his heart filled with regret.
    He still hadn’t recovered from his shock when he had entered the dank cabin after having traveled the countryside with Gia in their wolf forms. He’d been gone for days, and he had dreaded confronting his mother who was no doubt furious with his absence.
    But when he’d finally forced himself to step through the open doorway, there’d been no recriminations. No furious slaps across his face.
    Instead he’d found a pile of ash where his mother had called on the fires of Telos to destroy herself. Leaving him behind to bear the pain of her suicide.
    “A grief I caused.”
    He heard Gia heave a resigned sigh. “You didn’t cause her death, Damon.”
    “I did.” He turned to glare at Gia’s obstinate expression. “She willed herself to die because I wouldn’t give her what she needed.”
    Gia was shaking her head before he finished speaking. “Damon, you know she’d been sick since your father shunned her. It had nothing to do with you.”
    “I didn’t give her what she needed.”
    “And what about what you need?” she pleaded softly. “What I need?”
    “Gia—”
    “Stay,” she interrupted in an urgent voice. “Be my mate.”
    A wrenching sorrow settled in his heart. “I can’t.”
    Frustration flared through her dark eyes. “Why?”
    Damon grimaced, shoving his fingers through his hair. “She haunts me,” he admitted in harsh tones. His dreams had been tormented since his mother’s death. “She won’t rest until I’ve done my duty.”
    Gia studied him for a long time, then without warning her shoulders slumped and her eyes lost the sparkle that had always warmed his soul.
    “Then go.”
    He held out a hand, shoving aside his pride as he pleaded for her understanding. “I’ll be back for you.”
    She shook her head. “Don’t bother. Even if you succeed I won’t be your queen.”
    Icy fear trickled down Damon’s spine. “You don’t mean that.”
    “I do.” Her chin tilted to a militant angle. “This is wrong. I won’t watch you follow in your father’s footsteps.”
    Damon flinched at the deliberate attack. Gia knew better than anyone how deeply he hated his father.
    To be compared to the bastard was the worst insult she could offer.
    “Haven’t you always condemned my mother for using emotional blackmail?” he said, his cold voice making her frown.
    “This isn’t blackmail.”
    “It’s an ultimatum,” he growled. “I do as you want or you’re finished with me.”
    She heaved a resigned sigh. “I suppose it is.” With a grimace, she turned and headed across the marble floor. “Go challenge Salvatore. Get yourself killed just because you’re too stubborn to work through your guilt. I’m done.”
     
     
    Levet watched the interplay between Damon and Gia with a growing sense of outrage.
    Mon Dieu. Had the Were lost his mind?
    The beautiful young female had done everything but get on her knees and plead for him to stay.
    What sort of man turned away such obvious devotion?
    Levet abruptly wrinkled his snout, recalling his own lack of female companionship.
    Obviously, he was no expert on relationships. And he was beginning