MAXIMUS’S POV

For one terrifying heartbeat, the world stopped.

Her body was so still beneath my arm, so quiet, I swore I felt the cold breath of death brush against my skin.

Not again.

Not her.

My heart thundered so violently I thought it would rip free from my chest. The curse had always been merciless—every woman I touched was doomed. And last night… last night I hadn’t just touched her. I had claimed her in every way I knew how. The thought that my hunger, my need, might have taken her from me—

A low groan broke the silence.

I jerked upright.

“Maximus…” Her voice was a sleepy rasp,...