“What’s your relationship with Cain? What was he hinting at last night?” I ask, feeling shameful now that the words are out.
Knots doesn’t tense up, make a face, or change what he’s doing. He just continues to clean and massage me as he tells his story.
“You saw my last memory of Angelette saying goodbye to me, correct?” Knots starts, but he doesn’t wait for my answer before continuing. “That wasn’t our last time meeting. Granted, I didn’t know who she was that time, nor did I know who she was our last time either.” He takes in a deep breath and twists my body to the side so he can wash my back.
“It wasn’t quite a year, but long enough for me to forget the woman in the woods when I came across her cabin one winter in a storm. I got lost and found her home. Angel is what I called her because she looked like one when she opened the door and saved me from certain death. I was greeted, clothed, and allowed shelter. I played with her children and stayed with them for awhile. The storm came and went, and spring was on us, and I decided to help them for their hospitality.”
Knots begins to rub my shoulders and work the muscles in my arms, but it’s my stomach that's having problems. Lead has landed in it, and it is churning like a broken washer trying to work on the spin cycle.
“I was out one afternoon chopping wood when Gabriel screamed about wolves, and I dropped everything to help. Wolves weren’t known to be prevalent in the area,” Knots says, before moving onto my hair.
He starts to run his hands through my wet curls, just massaging my head, and I close my eyes, picturing the cabin I’ve seen in his prior memories.
“Once I came out of the woods, I saw them. Three massive wolves that Angel was handling quite well on her own, but it was the men on the other side of the woods that I was focusing on. Two of them darted out of the trees, and I quickly cut them down, but I didn’t see the one that got the drop on me from behind. I was hit in the head, making my world tilt and spin as I fell to the ground.”
Knowing what was going to come out of his mouth next, I can’tnotsee him. I turn around and face Knots, draping my legs over his and looking up at him. His deep, soulful eyes find mine as they take on a sheen of their own.
“The next thing I saw coming out of the crop of trees was a red glowing sigil on a man. Even with my memory wiped, I somehow remembered who Cain was. Everyone knew who Cain was. The walking plague. Death himself.” Knots moves a piece of hair behind my ear as his vision wavers to the past once again.
“He crouched down, looked me over, and smiled before addressing me. ‘I see they decided to allow you to live. I guess that’s something we have in common, right Kanotiel? I guess I might as well make you regret that decision, it’s the least I coulddo,’ Cain said before standing up and bringing down his boot on my head. That was the last time I saw my family. When I got up, everything was either burnt or still a roaring inferno,” he admits.
Tears burn as they trail down my cheeks, and I wrap my body around Knots’ body as I hug him to me.
“I am so sorry,” I whisper against his chest.
“He’s an abomination that should not be,” he says, his words hard yet empty of emotion.
“Maybe these healing waters are for you as much as they are for me,” I tell him, resting my head against his chest. The strong thump, thump, thump of his heart soothes a part of me.
“Maybe,” he agrees, pausing. “I think that day really messed with me, not just here.” He points to his chest, and I lift my head. “But here as well.” He points to his head. “I failed, and that’s not possible; it was unheard of in my old profession, and since it’s in mycore, it’s like asking me to breathe without air.” He meets my gaze and seeks something within my gray eyes, gently cupping my face. “But I’m trying. I’m trying to do so for you.”
Guilt racks me as I finally understand where I went wrong. I guess both of us were in the wrong, but I jumped the gun like I tend to do, and… well, it doesn’t matter. Trail in Hell and all, and we’re back here. I don’t want to waste any time away from my angel. I’ve missed him.
“You don’t have to change Knots. I love you for you, and I’m sorry for not understanding your basic drive before. I would love to see if we canhealtogether, though,” I say, wiggling in his lap, and he lets out a bark of laughter.
“You’re insatiable.”
“I know,” I say, leaning up and nibbling on his lower lip before pulling him in for a full kiss.
CHAPTER 21
Healing Ties
Rez
Knots’ kiss consumes me until I can no longer breathe, and I feel as though my soul is about to leave my body. He hasn’t even done anything but deepen the kiss and claim my tongue as his, but just his presence has lit my nerves on fire.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to stop,” Knots whispers against my lips, and it’s the best feeling in the world as I smile back.
“Who said I wanted you to?” I lick his bottom lip and rock against his dick, pulling a groan from him.Perfect.Wanting him right here and now, I shift my weight so I can take him.
No one said I was bright, because I forget where we’re at and the fact that we’re on a small bench. As I shift my weight, I topple us into the water with a splash. I come up sputtering and treading water and hear Knots' laughter.
“You look like a drowned cat.”
“I’ll scratch ya to death too,” I spit out as Knots easily pulls me into his arms. I finally fling my hair out of my face, and I glance up to catch Knots’ tender expression.
“I know you would,” he tells me. “That’s one of the reasons I love you.”
