The divorced military queen awakens novel

Chapter 425 Unequal Devotion 651 +10 Free Coins Julius let a crooked , almost bitter smile tug at the corner of his mouth . " Yes , Quinn , I love you -more than I believed any man could love , " he said . " Yet I also know , with cruel clarity , that the feeling you carry for me does not cut nearly as deep . From day one , our love has been lopsided . " The woman could toss him aside as effortlessly as a child grew bored with a toy , and he , once discarded , would be left gasping for the next breath . If it happened again , what bottomless pit would he plunge into ?

" Quinn , you said you'd return to me only when your love mirrored mine , " Julius continued , voice raw . " I need it to be so deep that you , too , cannot live without me ." Only then would he trust she would never walk away from him again . That night , Quinn fell asleep with her fingers threaded through his , as though fear itself would pry them apart . When dawn slid through the curtains , Julius still lay in heavy slumber . She watched him in the hush of morning light , spellbound by the rise and fall of his chest .

Even in repose , he was disarmingly beautiful - features deeper , more sculpted than most Aplothians , a straight patrician nose , sensual lips that suggested danger and promise at once . Somehow , icy aloofness and vivid allure - two opposing notes - resolved into perfect harmony on his face . Bruised shadows under his eyes and the porcelain cast of his skin lent him the fragility of shattered glass . Julius had said he would accept Quinn only if she could love with equal ferocity .

But love could never be weighed or measured , so how could she ever convince him of how deeply she adored him ? She lifted a hand and brushed the tips of her fingers across his lashes , as long and dark as raven wings . His eyes fluttered open ; the soft sweep of lashes over her skin sent ripples across the still lake of her heart . 1/4 16:25 Sat , Sep 27 B Chapter 425 Unequal Devotion : . +10 Free Coins Quinn felt the warmth of his skin linger on her fingertips . As though scalded , she jerked her hand back and leaned over the edge of the bed .

Soft morning light spilled across Julius ' lashes just as they fluttered open . Quinn offered a tentative smile . " Hey , you're awake . Did you get any rest at all ? " The man's gaze drifted , half - lidded , taking a long second to focus on the face hovering only inches away . When clarity finally settled , the haze lifted from his fox - sharp eyes , and the room seemed to tighten around the two of them . " Well enough , " he murmured , voice still rough with sleep , like gravel under velvet . In truth , it had been more than well .

The moment her fingers threaded through his , warmth seeped into every fracture of his battered body , pulling him into the first unbroken night's sleep he had known in months . She is my medicine , that much I know . Without that touch , no sedative , no doctor , no set of pills can keep my nightmares restrained . " Good , " she said , relief brightening her tone . " Then let's keep doing it this way from now on . " " Do you want to wash up ? I can carry you to the bathroom , " Julius offered , already shifting upright despite the fresh sting beneath his bandages . " No need .

It's only a few steps . I can handle it myself , " Quinn replied . The next second , she swung her legs over the mattress , planted the rubber tips of her crutches against the floor , and propelled herself toward the adjoining bathroom with practiced , almost jaunty determination . Julius watched the awkward angle of her plaster - encased calf disappear through the doorway , and a searing image flashed behind his eyes - the burning warehouse , her arm braced beneath his , dragging him through the smoke . Not once , not even with flames licking at her hair , had she let him fall .

But gratitude no longer satisfied the hunger coiling inside him . He wanted more - wanted shamelessly , greedily ; wanted every dawn , every night , every heartbeat that warmed her skin . If I can't claim that , maybe it's better to stop here , for both our sakes . When Quinn returned , steam still ghosting from her hair , she found Gavin bending over Julius , replacing the gauze that clung to his back . As the fresh bandage lifted , raw lacerations - jagged , angry , unmistakable - came into stark view , and her breath snagged in her throat . 2/4 16:25 Sat , Sep 27 B ...

Chapter 425 Unequal Devotion 51 +10 Free Coins " Morning , Quinn ! " Gavin called , cheerful as though they were meeting over coffee instead of open wounds . Quinn limped closer , eyes fixed on the network of injuries . " How long before those heal completely ? " " Minimum of three months , " Gavin replied without looking up , voice turning professional , crisp . " Do we have change the dressing every day ? " " For the first month , yes , " Gavin answered promptly . " Give it another week , and we can ditch the gauze .

After that , a thin layer of ointment will be enough , but he needs food - good food . He's weak now and hasn't been eating well , so please ensure he has his meals on time . He needs plenty of nutrition ." " Got it , " Quinn said , nodding once . Gavin's eyes twinkled with mischief . " One more thing - nothing too strenuous in the bedroom until the gauze is off . You'll split his stitches . Wait until the bandages are history , then have at it . " Quinn choked on nothing but air , a flurry of coughs betraying her mortification . Pink climbed from her collar to her ears .

Does Gavin think I'm some predator ? Even if I'm dying to reconcile with Julius , I'm hardly going to pounce while he's mummified in gauze ... Julius shot Gavin a frigid look . " You can get out now ! " " All right , I'll get out of your hair ." With a casual shrug , Gavin layered the final strip of gauze across Julius ' wound , snug but gentle . Satisfied , he pocketed the scissors , offered a cocky salute , and sauntered toward the door . Julius rose carefully from the edge of the mattress , shoulders still stiff from injury .

He slipped his arms into a crisp white shirt , and those long , elegant fingers fastened one button after another , each muted click restoring a piece of his composure . Still focused on his shirt , Julius spoke , his voice low but steady . " You don't need to pay attention to whatever Gavin said ." Quinn arched a brow , mischief flickering in her eyes . " Which words , exactly ? You mean the part where he told me not to exhaust you in bed until the bandages come off ? " On any other day , she would have swallowed that tease before it ever reached her tongue .

Yet 3/4 16:25 Sat , Sep 27 B Chapter 425 Unequal Devotion +10 Free Coins his nonchalant calm - so cool it bordered on cruel - made her feel as though the only one doomed to care , the only one who would ever blush , was herself . Julius finally lifted his gaze , slate eyes steady on hers . " Yes . Pretend you never heard him . " Quinn's grin widened , daring . " But what if I actually want to do things to you in bed ? Should I still ignore him then ? " Plop ! The silk tie slipped from the man's fingers and hit the hardwood with a soft plop .

For once , the flawlessly composed Julius looked utterly at a loss , his striking features tinted with a blush he could not hide . Sara Lili Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland's breathtaking cold.