Not to mention, this is what I wanted.
But I’m already in the middle of some trauma-based existential crisis. Seeing myself in a strange form might break me completely.
Ezra hums thoughtfully.
“Perhaps I could describe what I see, and you can decide based on my description. I doubt you’ll stay in this form much longer, so time may be the deciding factor.”
“O-okay. Just tell me one thing. Do I look like a monster?”
His shadows, which have been lazily curling along the wall, freeze. One slithers up my arm, curling around my waist in a soft squeeze. Its twin drapes across my shoulder, as if this moment belongs to them too.
Ezra gently lifts my chin, brushing his lips against mine.
“You’re a goddess, not a monster, Aurora. Do I have your permission? Or would you rather sleep, little flame?”
Oh! A new nickname. Calling me “little” should feel condescending, but I am little compared to Ezra. Plus, there’s something about his use of the word that feels protective and safe.
“You have my permission. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Then I guess I’ll look in the mirror.”
This is part of who I am now, and I can’t ignore it or hide it, especially from myself.
Ezra lifts my hand from his chest and brings it to his lips before he launches into his description.
“I will do my best to describe your beauty, Aurora, but I’m afraid I will fall quite short. The hellfire dancing around us right now gives your already beautiful skin a warm, golden glow. Your hellfire caught me completely by surprise when it wrapped itself around me. It reaches for me, much like my shadows reach for you.”
The shadows stir—one curling around my thigh, pulsing in quiet agreement, while another weaves through my fingers, brushing against my flames.
“Your eyes,” Ezra murmurs, his own dark-grey gaze flickering with something unreadable. “The deep green is gone. Now? They’re fire. Crackling and alive.”
His lips part, like he wants to say more, but his gaze drifts up. His breath hitches.
“And those antlers, little lupine? They’re glorious.” He exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair. “Bigger thanI expected. Iain’s notes mentioned small antlers. Yours are anything but.”
So, the asshole wrakh doesn’t know everything.
“There’s also a wild crown of thorny sweet briar woven around your antlers that loops in on itself to make a beautiful, sweet-smelling crown atop your head.”
Ezra pauses, eyes flicking over me again, as if unsure how to phrase the next part.
“There are two somewhat small … unexpected changes. Ones we didn’t anticipate. I’m already quite fond of them, so I hope you can see the beauty that I do.
“It seems, little lupine, that your canines have elongated, giving you the most beautiful fangs I’ve ever seen. I’m having a bit of trouble containing myself every time you smile, Aurora. And when you used them to make me bleed? I could have died happy in that moment.”
“I have fangs?”
I open my mouth and run my tongue along my teeth. Sure enough, I’m met with four long, razor-sharp teeth where my human canines used to be.
“I vaguely remember you asking me to bite you, but I didn’t know why. So, you like them?”
“Very much so, little flame,” Ezra says softly, his voice caught somewhere between awe and realization. “Between your praise and your fangs … I suppose you’ve unlocked two new kinks for me. Quite impressive, considering my vast experience.” It’s a confession, not a joke. He’s so fucking ridiculous. And I’ve never wanted anything more.
“You said there was another unexpected change?”
“Yes. Claiming your power triggered something else … a tattoo.”
Ezra’s touch ghosts along the base of my spine.
“A deer skull, crowned in antlers and threaded with thorny sweet briar, its tines sweeping delicately up the column of your neck. In the center, between them, there’s a sphere of flickering hellfire. It’s … striking.”
