He barely spares me a glance, his eyes already fixed on the woman in my arms like she’s an illusion, a figment of his imagination. Because how can anything like her exist?
He takes a step closer. I grit my teeth.
My darkness surges, rising between us in a silent barricade. Not threatening. Not yet. Just… clear.
His silver eyes dart to mine, wide and pleading.“Please, brother.”He looks over her again, like he’s drowning in the mere sight of her.“Please. Just let me be near her.”
My stare remains unwavering, unblinking. Then, finally, I let the darkness part.
He exhales, the sound so shaky and hushed with awe it’s barely a breath, then cautiously steps forwards.
And drops to his knees.
His gaze devours her, soaking in every piece, every breath, like it’s the first and last time he’ll see her.
It’s been weeks since he has.
“How long?”he asks.
“Nearly ten hours.”I glance down when her brows suddenly furrow.
The urge to touch her face is surreal. I’ve never wanted to touch someone like this before. Never.
But I know better. She can’t consent like this. Instead, my darkness responds, swaddling her again, urging her to fall back into me, deeper—sink into me, mould into my bones.
Her expression softens.
“You’ve been like this for ten hours?”Ezekial peers up at me, worry shadowing his features.“Use this time to rest, brother. You know that will help her too.”
He’s right.
After sleeping with her the first time, my control of the dark had never been stronger. My mind was so clear. Lately, it’s been so… murky.
But I don’t want to miss this.
Miss her.
“This might be the last time I ever get to hold her like this,”I admit, gaze falling back to her.
This impossible, ethereal being in my arms. On my skin.
“Sleep, brother,”Ezekial urges gently, his pleading now meant for me.“I’ll stay, just until she wakes.”
His permission is the final push I need. I say nothing else as I close my eyes, and finally succumb.
***
She’s waking.
Her soft movements and sounds are all the warning I need, but I keep my eyes shut, unwilling to acknowledge that this would soon be over.
Warmth rushes through me, a feeling, her feelings. I forgot how in tune I became the last time we slept like this, her emotions vibrantly sinking into me, much like now.
And now, she feels… embarrassed.
I want to speak, say something, but I know it will only make it worse. The warmth becomes a heat as she slowly, so carefully, sits up between my legs.
When I think she’s about to stand, to remove all contact, lose my last ever touch—she stills.
