by Lexi C. Foss
Jayson stood outside Luc’s door, hesitating. This had to be done. He had to walk in there and explain how he could pick a woman over his brothers, but the words escaped him.
An apology would be a lie. When Osiris demanded the truth, he gave it.
Anything. And he meant it. He would give anything to protect Lizzie, including the lives of his best friends.
Fuck, it hurt.
He never wanted to choose between them, but Osiris had forced him to express his feelings out loud. And now the three men inside this house knew.
Jayson rubbed a hand over his face as he searched for his confidence. He hadn’t seen Alik, Balthazar, or Luc since the incident. No one had, aside from a handful of Guardians who assisted with their Elders’ recovery. Jayson had given them all space, waiting for the inevitable summons.
It arrived this morning via Jacque.
Stop being a caitiff and knock on the fucking door, he told himself. They know you’re here.
Hell, Balthazar could hear every thought. That he hadn’t demanded him to enter yet, however, left Jayson feeling even more inadequate.
It wasn’t like B to leave him hanging outside. Alone.
Unless this was to be his punishment.
Shit, if that’s how they wanted to play, then so be it. He wouldn’t apologize for giving his heart to Lizzie. She was worth whatever pain his friends intended to inflict on him.
Yeah, fuck knocking.
He turned the handle and let himself inside without announcing himself.
Balthazar stood just inside the house, leaning against the wall, wearing one of his trademark grins, and appearing completely at ease. A sense of tranquility settled across Jayson’s shoulder at the sight of his best friend—healthy, alive, and smirking.
“Well, that was amusing.” Balthazar cracked open the beer in his hand and held it out for Jayson to grab. “Welcome back, Jay. Sorry it took an edict to force you to come visit.”
He gripped the bottle and cocked a brow. “Seriously? You ordered me up here to share a beer?”
“He wants to talk about your bachelor party,” Luc said as he joined them in the foyer. The dark shadows beneath his eyes were the only indication of his suffering a week ago. “As we understand, congratulations are in order?”
“Yeah, the fuck is that about?” Alik demanded from the living area. “We have to hear these things from Jacque now?”
“I was letting you rest,” Jayson said, only partly meaning it.
“Bullshit,” Balthazar replied, his tone uncharacteristically irritated. “You were hiding. Choosing Lizzie over us is one thing. Not being able to confront us on it is an entirely different conversation.”
“Trust,” Luc added. “You didn’t trust us to forgive you, not that we feel there is anything to forgive.”
That wasn’t entirely true. “I needed time to find the right words.”
“And have you?” Luc asked, his gaze brimming with curiosity.
“Honestly?” Jay palmed the back of his neck with his free hand and blew out a breath. “No. I have no idea what to say. I can’t apologize, even though I feel like I should. And I don’t know how to explain any of it. Osiris forced me to choose—”
“He asked what you would give to save her,” Luc interjected. “And you gave him the honorable answer, because if you would give less than anything to save her, then you wouldn’t deserve her.”
Alik walked into the foyer, hands in his pockets, brown eyes clouded with memories and pain. “Did you not accept me when I chose Jenika over all of you?”
Hearing the name sent a shock through Jayson’s system. Alik hadn’t uttered those six letters in several centuries, and the agony of it etched a pattern over his features that all of them felt to their souls.
“Alik,” Jayson breathed. “You don’t need to do this.”
“Yes, I do.” Darkness shrouded his features even as determination lit his gaze. “You all know I would sacrifice anything to bring her back, but that doesn’t belittle our bond. We’re brothers and always will be, but love, true love, surpasses all the rules. Including those implied by our history.”
“He’s right,” Balthazar murmured. “What you have with Lizzie should be cherished. We would never expect you to put us first, and you can guarantee that we will always be there to help you fight for it.”
“Your happiness is our happiness, Jay.” Luc clapped him on the back and pulled him into a hug. “I could sense how much that answer cost you, but I couldn’t have been prouder.”
“We all were.” Balthazar joined the group embrace. “You’ll always be our brother, Jay. No matter what.”
“Loving her doesn’t weaken you; it strengthens you. Hold on to that gift, Jay. Because you never know what life will throw at you next.” The grave, but wise, words came from Alik.
He didn’t join the group hug, not that any of them expected him to. Jenika’s death had irrevocably changed him. None of them had understood, having never been in love themselves, but Jayson could appreciate that reaction now. Lizzie was his heart. Without her, he would cease to be.
Alik met his gaze over Luc’s shoulder.
Now you know, he whispered telepathically. Protect her, Jayson. Protect her with everything, and never stop cherishing your love.
Jayson nodded once in reply, a solemn vow to do right by her. Always.
“You’re going to be an excellent father,” Luc whispered. “And an even better husband.”
“After the bachelor party,” Balthazar added with a pat on Jayson’s shoulder as he pulled away from them.
Leave it to B to lighten the otherwise somber mood.
“After the party,” Luc agreed as he released Jay.
Alik snorted and turned away as he said, “Yeah. Good luck convincing Lizzie to let him go.”
Jayson welcomed the lighthearted change in topic but grimaced as he considered Alik’s comment. “You’re not planning anything too extravagant, are you?”
Balthazar grinned. “Would I call a meeting to discuss anything less than phenomenal?” He waggled his brows. “Step into the living room, Jay. We need to review the blueprints and my proposed timeline.”
The End for Now
The Story Continues with Angel Bonds
A love so forbidden, it transcends boundaries…
But even the strongest bonds require sacrifice.
Stas and Issac broke all the rules—and it’s time to face the consequences. A necessary surrender leads to devastation, forcing Stas to choose between her heart and her future.
Will Issac remain by her side, or are they destined for different paths?
As word of an awakening power spreads, the immortal treaty shatters, and a looming battle of wills threatens to destroy everything in its wake.
The war has begun.
And death will reign.
Until an angel rises from the flames of destruction…
Immortal Curse Series
What’s Next
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Blood Heart. I hope you enjoyed learning more about Lizzie and Jayson and watching them grow. Their relationship is one that has been with me for a long time, and as much as these characters made me cry, I loved writing this book. They will forever own a piece of my heart.
I originally planned to release Angel Bonds with Blood Heart, but this book took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride that left me reeling afterward. Diving right into Issac and Stas wouldn’t have been fair to Jayson and Lizzie, so I’m taking my time with the transition and plan to release Angel Bonds in late August 2018.
But I have a surprise for you as well… Blood Bonds, featuring Stas’s parents, will debut in early September. This novel is actually already finished, but it contains too many spoilers to reveal early. Therefore, it will be released two weeks after Angel Bonds.
For sneak peeks, early chapter reveals, and special excerpts, please join my reader group on Facebook or sign up for my newsletter. I love hearing from you
all, and although I won’t answer spoiler questions, I will provide some insight into the voices living in my head. ;-)
Thank you again for reading!
Cheers xx Lexi
Music Playlist
Blood Heart
Battlefield - Svrcina
Black Clouds - Hidden Citizens Break me Shake Me - Savage Garden Come as You Are - Prep School Disfigured - Rag’n’Bone Man Don’t Drink the Water - Dave Matthews Band Don’t Let Me Go - RAIGN
For What It’s Worth - Malia J
Glass Heart - Tommee Profitt Heroes Fall - Hidden Citizens Live Like Legends - Ruelle Mad Hatter - Melanie Martinez Save Tonight - Zayde Wolf Slipping - Hidden Citizens Soldier - Fleurie
Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden Up in Flames - Ruelle
Waiting Game - Banks
When It’s All Over - RAIGN
Who Will Save You Now - Les Friction Wicked Game - Ursine Vulpine World on Fire - Les Friction
Acknowledgments
It takes an army to finish a book. I’m so thankful to everyone for helping me along on this terrifying journey and for the support of my friends and family. Below are a few of the people on my team whom I truly could not do this without…
First and foremost, Matt: Thank you for your unconditional support, love, and care. You always know what to say, you’re an amazing partner, and you are the love of my life. #DorksForever
Allison: Thank you for keeping me grounded in reality, for telling me when something needs to be rewritten, and for crying with me over a certain chapter nearly a dozen times. And thank you for your friendship and honesty. I <3 you!
Casey: Thank you for handling my baby with such care and grace! I appreciate all your feedback, and I love that you force me to perform at the next level. Your experience and guidance are invaluable. I hope you’re ready for Angel Bonds ;-)
Louise & Melissa: You two are my foundation. Without your support and love, I’d flounder and hide indefinitely in my writing cave. I appreciate everything you do, and I cherish you both more than words can say.
Bethany: Thank you for editing my giant MS, and not balking at the word count. I’m so glad you still tolerate my commas, and I love that you try to teach me how to properly use them. It’s never going to work, but I’ll keep trying!
Jacy: Thank you for pushing me to provide my best work, for always finding my repetitive words, and for pointing out inconsistencies. Oh, and also for fixing my commas. Like I said to Bethany above, I’ll keep trying, but we both know I’ll never understand them.
Barb, Delphine, Jenny & Pam: You complete my editing team, and I appreciate you all so much! Thank you for catching all the things I miss in the final editing stages and for keeping me honest. You’re amazing!
Barb, Delphine, Laura, Louise, Melissa & Tracey: Thank you all for beta-reading Blood Heart and helping me craft the strongest book imaginable. I appreciate all your feedback, comments, and edits and love having you on my team. Hopefully, you all are still speaking to me once you see the revisions I made, because I’ll need your input on Angel Bonds.
Claudia: Thank you for the gorgeous art design.
Julie: Thank you for your amazing friendship and for helping me with the paperback typography. It’s beautiful!
Famous Owls: Thank you for being such an important part of my team and for always making me smile. You all rock!
None of this could be possible without my ARC team, Itsy Bitsy, and IndieSage PR. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
And to the readers: Thank you for reading Lizzie and Jayson’s story. The Immortal Curse series is my heart, and I can’t explain what it means to me to share it with the world. Your support, kindness, and encouraging words keep me going. <3
Cheers, everyone!
About the Author
Lexi C. Foss is a writer lost in the IT world. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and their furry children. When not writing, she’s busy crossing items off her travel bucket list. Many of the places she’s visited can be seen in her writing, including the mythical world of Hydria which is based on Hydra in the Greek islands. She’s quirky, consumes way too much coffee, and loves to swim.
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Oh, and don’t forget to check out B’s Blog for exclusive Hydria updates (if you’re into that kind of thing).
Where To Find Lexi:
www.LexiCFoss.com
Also by Lexi C. Foss
Immortal Curse Series
Book One: Blood Laws
Book Two: Forbidden Bonds
Book Three: Blood Heart
Book Four: Angel Bonds
Book Five: Blood Bonds
Dark Provenance Series
Daughter of Death*
Mershano Empire Series
Book One: The Prince’s Game
Book Two: The Charmer’s Gambit
Book Three: The Devil’s Denial
ABS Operatives Series - Coming Soon
Book One: KINCAID
*This book will be part of the Bad Girls Collaboration in 2018. It features 13 authors releasing one book a month about kick-ass women with a penchant for being bad. For more details, click here.