Myetherreactedtomy mood, wrapping around me and Anna like a shield to black out the world.
Her mouth tasted of salty butter and sugar. Those plump lips felt like the finest silk, and her soft curls wrapped around my fingers. Drunk on her citrusy floral scent, I breathed her in, completely absorbed in the moment.
“Damnation,” I groaned as I pulled away before I took things further. She was no wanton succubus looking for a fun time. She was Anna, the only person who could stir the smoldering embers in my heart into a growing flame. Panting, I rested my cheek next to hers and closed my eyelids, trying to calm my breathing and rein in my power.
She let out a small moan at the movement. “Did I do something wrong?”
“What?” I reared back to stare at her face.How long and lovely her eyelashes are.
“I-I’m sorry. I’ve never kissed anyone before so I’m not sure if I did it right, and—”
“Hush.” I caressed her cheek. “You are perfect, Anna.Tooperfect for someone like me.” I relinquished the shadows cloaking us in the gondola, letting the stars shine once more. “And I cannot allow you to be caught up in my world. Plus, you are still much too young.”
“What time is it?” She tilted her head and drew her eyebrows inward.
“Huh?” This sudden change in conversation threw me. I glanced at the moon. “Somewhere close to ten, I suppose.”
“At midnight, I’ll be eighteen, and then what’s your excuse going to be? That I’m too naïve, that I’m too human, that I’m too blind?”
“I already told you—”
“I have waited years for your kiss, Lucian. With your every visit, you light up my world. When you stay away, it feels like a little part of me dies inside. And then you show up, turning the night inside my head to daytime. I’ll never be normal, but with you, I don’t feel inadequate or like I’m missing something. With you, I feel complete. So, I can wait a few more hours to be a woman in your eyes, if you want me.”
She was worried aboutmenot acceptingher? I shook my head in wonder.
“Anna…” My gaze strayed to the full moon with its ash-gray craters. “You were mine the moment I saw you kneeling on that dusty floor.” I smoothed a loose piece of hair from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. “But you still have so many experiences ahead in your young life. Being with me would not be something I would wish on you. As I said before, I will not subject you to my world. It is dark, chaotic, and filled with vengeful monsters carrying out terrible deeds.”
If I were to take her—a human woman—as my consort, the Chosen would be in an uproar. Humans were the entire reason for our predicament, and flaunting one around, showing the other dark angels I valued Anna more than anyone else would slap a target on her so fast she’d be in constant danger.
No, I cannot have that.Keeping her here, on Earth, safe and secure in her current life, was the only option even if neither of us liked it, though she would never understand.
“I’m not scared of your world, Lucian. You punish those who deserve it. I understand.” She trailed her fingernails down the side of my face.
“Let us speak of this no more.” Circling my index and thumb around her wrist, I drew it to my mouth and kissed the tender skin on the inside, letting my lips linger longer than necessary, savoring the scent and feel of her flesh against my mouth.
The ride started its descent and the wind lessened.
Anna’s hair, a wild mess around her head, shone under the starlight. It dawned on me I had never given her a birthday gift and suddenly, an intense desire shook within to give her something special, something truly from my heart.
“Lucian, please at least—”
“I have a gift for you.” I held out my palm. We were only ten feet from the approaching exit. Using my other hand, I swirled my fingers in a circle, calling my power to form a long silver pin, the top decorated with a line of black diamonds. In the middle sat a carmine ruby, an exact copy of my insignia.
“You do?” Her voice rose in either surprise or delight.
“Happy Birthday, dear one.” I lifted her hand and placed the hair piece against her fingers, curling them around the item so she could feel its shape and weight.
“What is it?” She reverently traced the design, her mouth curved into an adorable grin.
“Something to hold your hair when you want to feel the breeze on your face. Maybe it will remind you of your experience at the top of this ride. And just like the wind, dear Anna, you take my breath away.”
Her cheeks flushed and her eyes shone. She pulled back a section of her curls and pinned them to the side of her head. “Well, what do you think?”
Our car stopped at the exit, the operator striding forward to open the door.
“It’s perfect, just like you.” I took her hand and we stood. “Now, it’s time to get you back home. I unfortunately have pressing matters needing my attention.”
“This was the best night of my life, even better than the art museum. I’ll treasure your birthday gift forever, Lucian.”
