All of it amalgamated into something beautiful, something she wanted to hold for as long as she lived.
“Beautiful,” Nikator murmured, studying her face as if transfixed. “You are so … perfect.”
Her face flushed; she didn’t know why she was suddenly so embarrassed, but it was like their first kiss all over again. Maybe it was the intimate aspect of it—they no longer had to hide, no longer had to pretend, no longer had to ignore that their relationship was complicated.
He framed her face with his rough, calloused hands and captured her mouth in the next breath. Her eyes fluttered shut and her chest tightened at the feel of his fingers against her skin. His every touch warmed her flesh, awakening a desire within her that only grew hotter. She wound her arms around his neck and parted her lips for him. His tongue swept into her mouth and the taste of him—vanilla, spice, and something dangerous—made her dizzy.
The back of her eyes stung unexpectedly; all of this felt like a dream. His touch, his kisses, his presence—she had thought just an hour ago that she had lost him forever. And now they were together like this.
The first time she had met him, she had thought he would be her ruin.
And now? Sheknewhe would be her ruin, because having a taste of him was like opening a new door to life; she could never go back to how she used to be.
Nikator’s hands went to her waist, his touch bruising and frantic, his nails digging into her flesh. “I need you,” he murmured between kisses. “Tell me you want the same.”
“I do,” she breathed.
He grinned against her mouth, kissing her even harder.
Her fingers dug into his shoulders and she wound her legs around his waist. “Forever,” she whispered when he gave herenough room to breathe. The intoxicating scent of him made her body nearly melt in his hands. “I want to be with you forever, Nik.”
“For as long as I breathe, I am yours.” He took her face in his hands, eyes blazing with a possessiveness that only made her smile wider. “I’ll always love you. Now and forever.”
When he kissed her next, all the walls guarding her heart crumbled completely, turned to dust, and she embraced him even tighter.
The goodbyes werethe hardest part—for Nikator, at least. Biyu didn’t have to bid farewell to Yat-sen just yet—he was also traveling to Sanguis, so they would go together until parting ways. Muyang had gifted them with enough money to start a new life without worries. Buy saying goodbye proved harder for her husband.
The entire Peccata was present in the gardens. She had only conversed with a few of them before, but seeing them all was a bit of a shock. Remus, the demon with silver hair and black-red eyes, stood beside Nikator with a crestfallen expression on his normally stoic face. Thera wept into a handkerchief, with Vita consoling her. Minos punched Nikator’s shoulder and grinned at him, Atreus appeared shocked by the whole thing—he had missed out on everything, since he had been away, and had returned to this.
Muyang and Daiyu hung further back from the group as they embraced and spoke to one another. His arm was around her shoulder, while she held onto her round belly. Daiyu’s eyes brimmed with unshed tears. Yat-sen stood a few feet away from them, politely watching the exchange with an awkwardexpression—he, like Biyu, wasn’t exactly close to any of these people.
General Han and his wife were present, as were Bohai, Li-ling, and a few other military people Biyu didn’t recognize. They all seemed saddened about Nikator’s departure, but also were happy for him. They were likely all part of Muyang’s tight circle of loyal allies, all of whom had played a big part in Nikator’s life.
Minos clapped Nikator on the back once more. “I should have known you’d fallen in love the day she burned your ass to a crisp.”
Nikator shoved him off playfully. “Oh, fuck off.”
He laughed and reached for him again, but Nikator dodged his embrace. Minos grinned wider, casting Biyu a look. “Whenever he pisses you off, be sure to light him on fire. It’ll reset whatever’s going on in his brain, and he’ll fall back in love every time.”
Biyu couldn’t help but crack a grin while Nikator shouted obscenities at him. “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.”
“Enough teasing,” Vita said, swatting Minos’s head.
“Oh, Nik,” Thera cried again, wiping her eyes. “I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m not dead.” Nikator swept his sister into a tight hug. “I’ll send letters, I promise.”
“But it’s not the same.” Her beautiful face crumpled. “I’m happy for you, I really am! I’m happy you found someone you love. I’m so, so freaking happy. I just—I’m just going to miss you.”
“I know, I know.” He patted her head and gave Biyu a lopsided grin, mouthing, “She’s a bit sensitive.”
Biyu had never spoken to the woman before, but she appeared to be the friendliest of their bunch, followed by Minos. They were birds of a feather. Though Minos had a more playful, flirty side that Thera lacked.
Thera smacked his chest playfully, sniffling as she pulled back. “Promise to write as much as you can. And treat her well, okay?”
“I promise.”
She then turned to Biyu, taking her hands in her own. “I’m happy to have another sister,” she said with a wide grin, her eyes red from crying. Through the tears, though, Biyu could tell she was genuinely happy for them. That alone made her own eyes sting. “Take care of my idiotic brother for me. I’m thankful someone can tolerate him.”
