In seconds, you’re safely on the ground.
“I thought you lost your powers,” you croak, still winded by the surprise as he carries you toward home.
The night is chilly, and you lean into his shoulder, breathing in the comfort of his scent.
It’s strange to think now you’re bound together again.
Only this time…it’s forever.
“It’s just like when we were tethered before,” he says like it’s no big deal. “Don’t worry about it. I’m still badass.”
You laugh softly. “And ever so modest.”
There’s something comforting about being carried in his arms, and you find yourself drifting off, suddenly aware again of how deeply exhausted you are.
Turns out almost dying really takes the energy out of a person. Who woulda thought.
“You know,” you mumble into his shoulder as he walks, the steady rhythm of his gait lulling you further toward sleep. “That night we met…I wished I had a hot book boyfriend to walk me home. And now I’ve got one.”
If he responds, you don’t hear what he says. You’re already soundly asleep.
Ziros
She’s beautiful.
Beautiful and peaceful, eyes shut, nestled against my chest as she breathes evenly in and out.
She looks so calm and innocent as she sleeps, I almost laugh. Innocent? My human isn’t innocent. She’s fiery and bold and brave, braver than any mortal ought to be.
A mortal.
That stop stops me in my tracks.
AmIa mortal now?
I scoff softly, shaking my head as I resume walking, climbing the stairs to her apartment.
We may be sharing a lifetime, but I’m still powerful. And…leaning down close to her neck, the scent of her blood surrounds me in an intoxicating fog.
I may be tethered to her, we may be sharing a lifetime, but I sure as hell still crave her blood.
And that shouldn’t make me smile the way it does. I shouldn’tlikedrinking her blood as much as I do.
“You wild, crazy human,” I mutter as I open the door to her apartment, clicking it shut behind us.
Or maybe I’m the one who’s lost my mind, because I’ve just tethered myself to a human for all eternity—and I’ve never been happier.
You
You wake as Ziros opens the door to your apartment, setting you gently on your feet inside.
“We’re alone now,” you say, suddenly wide awake with anticipation. “That means you have to tell me the thing.”
“Right…” he glances away. “The thing.”
And if you’re not mistaken, he’s blushing again, but it’s hard to be certain what with how he’s not making eye contact, arms folded as he looks at the wall.
Is he embarrassed?
