“So?” he challenged, shrugging his shoulders in a way that implied my statement was irrelevant. “I could come with you.”
My jaw dropped. He held my gaze without flinching, making it clear he meant every word.
“Could you?” I nevertheless questioned, my tone dubious.
“I just said as much, didn’t I?” Lyall quipped with a hint of mockery.
“But don’t you have duties keeping you here? A job?”
He shook his head. “No, I don’t.”
I blinked, my mind racing. “So what do you do all day?”
“Whatever I want,” he retorted with another shrug. “I mostly roam the world, both in the Mortal and Shadow Realms, wreak havoc and cause mischief, with the occasional good deed if I’m so inclined.”
“Wreak havoc and cause mischief?” I echoed with an inquisitive look.
“I like killing bad stuff, especially if they happen to enhance my powers. You’d be surprised what kind of foul creatures and people lurk around,” he said with an almost malicious grin.
“That sounds like you are performing good deeds,” I countered.
He snorted. “My victims would beg to differ. But yes, the broader population would likely think so, if they didn’t believe me to be an even bigger monster than the ones I eradicated without their knowledge.”
“Why do I have a feeling you deliberately let people believe that you’re a monster?” I taunted.
Although he didn’t answer, his smile was confession enough. I glanced around the large terrace and into the opulent master bedroom of his stunning mansion through the open doors, then returned my attention to him.
“How are you paying for all of this if you travel the world killing nasty stuff?”
“Money is not an issue. I am very wealthy, both from generational wealth and smart investments of my assets,” Lyall replied nonchalantly.
I shifted in my seat, a frown still creasing my brow as I reflected on our little exchange.
Heaving a sigh, I shrugged in defeat. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know, or you don’twantto?” he challenged, although his voice remained soft and non-confrontational.
“It’s not that,” I replied honestly. “Things aren’t that simple.”
“Then what is it? What needs to be simplified? Is it the Church?” he teased.
I chewed my bottom lip before slowly nodding. “Yes. The Church will balk at our pairing.”
“It will balk or forbid it?” Lyall insisted.
My back immediately stiffened in outrage. “The Church cannotforbidme anything where my personal life is concerned.”
“Then there is no issue,” he retorted, his tone implying that this entire conversation made no sense.
I scrunched my face, starting to wonder what indeed the issue was, if he was willing and able to come with me. Why was I still hesitant and unconvinced?
When I failed to answer, Lyall grabbed my hand and gently tugged, pulling me towards him. I got up from my chair and let him draw me into his lap. He cupped my face with both hands, his thumbs gently caressing my cheeks before he leaned forward to kiss me. The familiar flame of desire immediately sparked low in my belly. I pressed myself against him as he tightened his hold around me. To my dismay, just as I was parting my lips to let him deepen the kiss, Lyall pulled away. But the tenderness with which he looked at me had me melting in his arms.
“My mother constantly tells me that I overthink and overcomplicate things. I systematically disagreed and just felt like she was doing the opposite. But now, I see in you what she actually meant.”
I snorted, which made him smile before he sobered.
“I like you, Eleni Stavros. You like me, too. So let Fate take us where she will. Live in the present and enjoy what it has to offer. Who knows what the future holds?” he said softly.
