“Good morning, sunshine,” a smooth, deep voice sounded.
Xia startled, her hands falling from the shadows as she pushed herself back toward the wall. Her mind was still fuzzy from sleep and made it hard to focus her eyes. The wisps of shadows thinned and light poured in from an open door. It was damn near blinding after being wrapped in complete darkness.
When the man made no move toward her, she risked wiping her eyes to clear the haze. He was still painted in darkness as the light cast him in shadow, but her body caught up before her mind did. Xia’s palms sweat and some invisible string in her chest pulled taut, urging her to go to him like he held the other side of it.
He moved toward her, each step cautious and silent. Her anxiety didn’t ease, but she didn’t run. Not that she had anywhere to run to.
Xia reached for her Song, but didn’t hold it. She had enough blood in her ledger, but she was a survivor and she would not die here.
“It’s okay,” he whispered.
When she backed away further, he stopped and raised his hands placatingly. His face was still cloaked in shadows, but enough light filtered in that she could see a mess of black hair curling in a rather unkempt fashion around his ear.
“Come on now, Siren. You know I’ll only bite if you ask me to.”
Her breath caught and she was sure her heart would stop beating. Tears blurred her already hazy vision and a hiccup of relief escaped her lips. “If you bite me, it’ll be your dick stuffed and hung above my mantle.”
“It’ll be your biggest trophy, too.”
She could practically hear the smirk in his tone and the skin along her arms prickled in anticipation. He stepped toward her again, but this time she didn’t back away. Xia pushed herself up to standing and lunged toward Brooks. Her last steps faltered, legs shaky beneath her as she stumbled into his arms. He caught her in a strong hold, his arms warm and firm around her body as she tucked her head against his chest.
Xia had never experienced an embrace that didn’t feel like a prison, but that didn’t hold true to Brooks. He covered her from every angle, his arms a massive shield hiding her from the sorrows of the world. Her heart raced in her chest and she could have sworn that his pounded to the same beat as her own.
She inhaled deeply, wanting to know and feel everything about the man in her arms. Remnants of smoke clung to his rain-dampened shirt mingling with the fresh scent of birch and ozone. He smelled like the perfect storm. Her breath faltered when he nuzzled into her hair and inhaled just as deeply as she had, like he was memorizing every piece of her, too.
“Is this real?” she asked, her words muffled by the thick leather jacket he wore. Memory flooded in from their night together what felt like so long ago. Brooks, bruised and tattered from that godsdamned asylum, and her… just as shattered as he. He’d nearly broken her when those three words rolled off of his lips, desperation weighing them like an anchor.“Let’s just pretend.”
He squeezed her tight, lips whispering against her hair as he said, “Yeah, sunshine. It’s real. You’re safe, and I’m never letting you go.” Xia flinched as her mind morphed those words into a deeper voice. The voice of a nightmare. She was quick to shake it, but her body betrayed her with a shiver. Her skin prickled as the cold seeped into her bones. Brooks pulled back and gently urgedher to release her hold. It was the last thing she wanted, but Xia obliged.
“We need to talk. I don’t even know where to fucking begin, honestly. But this… this embrace felt like a good start.” His voice was soft as not to disturb their small slice of calm. Perhaps they were both afraid that if they made too sudden of a move, reality would shatter and send them both careening back into hell.
“Okay,” she whispered. “Then let’s talk.”
“There’s a fireplace in the other room. We’ll soak up some heat and light. I want to see your face somewhere other than my dreams.”
Maybe it was the absurdity of the last day. Or, better yet, maybe it was the euphoria flooding her system. With his words, a bubble of laughter rose from her belly. “Who are you?” she asked around the deep belly laugh shaking her shoulders. A lightness filled the space between them and she felt the soft rumbles of his laughter vibrate against her chest.
“Here I was trying to adore you and shit. Remind me to never be nice to you again,” he teased.
“I’m sorry!” she said in between giggles. “I don’t know what’s happening.” Her knees went weak and his arms closed tighter around her, lending her strength when her own failed.
“I always knew you were crazy. This just kind of confirms it.”
She felt the lift of his smile in her soul and happiness spread like wildfire. “Says the man who’s been living in an asylum for the insane.”
“You were obviously just better at hiding your crazy. You can’t fool me though, Siren. I know that deep down you’re godsdamn batshit crazy.”
They laughed together for a few more moments before settling. Xia stepped back from the embrace and sighed, donning the armor that would help protect her spirit from what was to come. “Alright,” she said. “I’m ready.”
He stared at her for a moment before his silhouette nodded in the dark. His fingers laced with hers and he guided her out into the dimly lit hall.
Xia looked at him then. Really looked at him. Gods, he was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. He wasn’t bulging with muscle. His hair wasn’t combed to perfection, and he didn’t wear a persona dripping with sexual desire like other daemon. He just…was.And the beauty in that left her breathless.
They entered an open room that served as both a sitting and eating area and walked quietly to the fireplace so as not to disturb those snoring softly on the floor. Her brows furrowed, concern squeezing her heart to see people wrapped in tattered blankets and huddled against the cold.
Where were they?
Brooks guided her to two torn cushions settled close to the fire, gesturing to the one closest to the hearth. They sat and Xia shifted toward Brooks. He stared into the fire, and she admired the features illuminated by firelight. Dark stubble shadowed his jaw, the muscle jumping back and forth as he clenched. His skin held some color and she could imagine it tanned effortlessly in the sun.
