I’m fine. I’ll pick you up in ten minutes.
Dex:
Can’t wait. You’ve got this!
Luc’s feathers ruffled, and he stood taller. Therewas nothing wrong with a little self-doubt in the face of what tonight represented.
Teetering on the brink of everything he’d ever wanted was surreal. His mate was happy, flourishing as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Dex’s new condo had injected joy into his heart, and he seemed focused on the future rather than stuck in the past.
Luc also had his eyes on what lay ahead for the first time in centuries. Some days, he awoke hardly believing it was real.He had his mate. That was more than enough, but Luc had been given far more.
The guilt he’d carried around since the first witch had been born cracked and fell away, the last remnants of dust disappearing in the wind.
Even that amount of healing would have been enough, but Luc had been blessed with more. Dante had invited him over for a family dinner. They’d all be there. His brothers and their mates.
Luc grabbed a sweater from his wardrobe and tied it to his belt. His loft was still mostly empty, other than Dex’s parents’ belongings which were stored carefully and tucked out of sight.
There was no need for most of the loft. Luc liked the mezzanine floor and kept his occupancy centered there. It was like living on a balcony, giving him plenty of room for his wings. But he wasn’t planning to stay in the loft long term. He had dreams of creating a home with Dex.
This would do until then.
Luc left the loft and flew up the river. Dex waited for him on his apartment’s small balcony. Luc cast an illusion to match the one covering him, so no one would notice Dex disappear, and landed on the railing, perching like a gargoyle, his tail flicking back and forth.
“Careful.” Dex grabbed Luc’s hand andkissed him.
“I won’t fall.”
Dex laughed. “I never imaginedthiswhen I bought a place with a balcony, but seeing you fly in and land at my door is my favorite thing about living here.”
Luc purred, tangling a hand in Dex’s hair. He tilted Dex’s head back and kissed him deeply.
Their forever home would have an enormous balcony. Perhaps every room would have one. That way, Dex could always look out and see Luc coming home.
Dex pulled back from the kiss, cheeks flushed, and cleared his throat. “We should go. You don’t want to get distracted.”
“Don’t I?” Luc chased Dex’s lips, pulling the bottom one gently between his teeth. “Last time I checked, it was me who told you what to do. Not the other way around.”
Dex groaned. “I’m not trying to deny you. I’m reminding you that you want tonight more than whatever your libido is telling you.”
Luc laughed. “I can’t want anything more than you.”
“Then it’s a good thing you don’t have to choose. Come on, you know what I mean.”
“You’re right. I’m nervous about tonight and trying to distract myself. I don’t actually want to be late.” Luc wouldn’t be inconsiderate like that, especially not to Dante.
He scooped Dex into his arms and launched into the air, swooping low over the river before pumping his wings and soaring over the city. Cool air whipped by, and the city lights glittered below. Soon, the city would be decorated for the winter holidays, Dex had said. He was adorably excited to see the Christmas lights from the air.
Eventually, Dante’s nature reserve came into view.
The eight of them hadn’t been together since the day Luc led his team to the gateway. Luc had seen Onyx and Nico the most out of everyone since then and had met with Ash a coupleof times. He hadn’t seen Dante, Ollie, or Harper at all. Dante had said to visit, but Luc had hesitated, unsure if all could be forgiven. He didn’t want to push Dante, Ollie, or Harper into accepting him.
He landed and set Dex down beside him so he could retract his wings and pull on his sweater.
“I like this one.” Dex ran his hands over the red fabric.
“You like all my sweaters.”
Dex shrugged. “They make you soft and cuddly.”
