Luc clasped Ash’s shoulder, and Ash didn’t pull away. “You did nothing wrong.”
Ash let out a long breath. He’d held on to a great deal ofguilt even though he wasn’t responsible for witches any more than Dante, Onyx, or countless others.
Luc’s heart ached. “You saw something bad in yourself that didn’t exist, Ash. Falling wasn’t wrong, and that unworthiness was never deserved.”
Ash’s eyes widened. “How did you know I…? I never told you how I felt.”
“I know you, brother. I heard it in your voice. Felt it in your presence. I had the same judgments lurking in my mind. We’ve always been similar in this way.”
Ash grunted, the sound distinctly affectionate. “We have. We’re two sides of the same self-critical coin. But we can’t stand for this. They can’t keep holding morality over our heads when there isn’t any point.”
“The point is power,” Dante said heavily. “The universal balance is the justification for the council’s existence. For the regulation of mates and Eternal children.”
“Then it sounds like their time has run out.” Ash clasped Luc’s arm. “Tell us what you’re planning.”
Luc’s phonevibrated as he flew back into the city.
Dex:
Can I see you today?
Luc:
That depends. Would you still want to see me if I told you that you’re not coming no matter what?
Dex’s reply came through immediately.
Dex:
Yes. Obviously. Come over to my place?
Luc’s fire smoldered. His mate was inviting him into the dreaded condo. Allowing Luc to see what hurt him most. Trusting him. And he didn’t even complain about his denial.
What a wonderful mate.
Luc:
I’ll be there soon.
After detouring to his loft to grab a shirt, Luc stopped in the bakery on the ground floor of Dex’s building and bought a selection of treats before they closed.
Dex greeted him at his front door, hands shoved in his pockets and shoulders hunched. “So this is it.”
Luc entered, scanning the family pictures framed on the walls. “It smells like you.”
Dex snorted. “As long as I don’t stink, I’ll take it.”
“You smell better than any flower. Any perfume.”
Dex’s cheeks darkened. “At least I don’t smell aroused.”
“Not yet.” Luc flashed his eyes, fire sparking.
“Before that happens, I’ll give you the tour. That door there is my parents’ room. This is the bathroom and my room. And through here”—Dex ushered Luc out of the hallway—“is the living-kitchen area.”
The condo may have smelled of Dex, but it didn’t feel like him. It looked like a family home, mature, and decorated by someone who liked cool colors and ornamental figurines. Everything was tidy and pleasant, but it wasn’t Dex.
Luc set the box of treats on the counter separating the kitchen from the living area.
