“Mild calming effects, you said?” I take the opal grape from his hand, inspecting it.
“Yes.”
That doesn’t sound much different from alcohol or marijuana, and my nerves could definitely use the softening… Abyss weed. Sure. Why not?
Without another word, I take the fruit and pop it into my mouth. It’s fleshy, yet sweet. It tastes like vanilla, butter, egg whites... cake. It tastesjust like cake. Except the texture is very off.
“Can’t say I’m a fan—” Warmth quickly spreads from my stomach outward, enveloping my whole body with mild euphoria. I’ve never felt something quite like it before. “You know what? I take it back. This is nice.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Abaddon hums, his lips growing into a…what the fuck?
I stare at him, bewildered. “Am I imagining things, or are you actually smiling right now?”
“You’re not imagining it.”
“Why?”
“Why am I smiling?” He lets out a little huff, almost sounding like a laugh, but that is entirely impossible. “Because you are at peace for once.”
I blink, still staring at his stunning smile.
It’s beautiful. He’s beautiful. God, everything is beautiful. The lights, colors, sounds. Gone is the grating on my senses from every direction. What was once cacophony has melted into euphony.
“Kae,” he says slowly, and I bask in the sound of my name on his tongue. What lovely music. “How are you feeling?”
“Hmm?” My words seem to drift off like wisps of smoke. I can see the sound so distinctly, I swear I could pluck the lingering echoes out of the air. “I’m great.”
Are they growing little pieces of Heaven here? Wow. I can see how this would be profitable. I’d buy all the little bits o’ heaven beans. I need to invest in this business.
I’m vaguely aware of my legs swaying beneath me, threatening to crumble?—
Abaddon has his arm around my waist in an instant, steadying me.
Ohhh,fuck yes.
My eyelids flutter closed, all my muscles clenching. His hand feels so,sogood against me. I bet it’d be even better if I didn’t have a shirt on. Him, too. Why were clothes even invented? They’re so stupid. Dumb, dumb, dumb. Big dumb.
“I don’t see why you need… all ofthat…” I wave a limp hand vaguely towards his torso, the right words evading me. “You know. The big dumb metal.”
His smile is completely gone now, replaced by a concerned little frown.
“I didn’t realize Vitas would have such a strong effect on humans,” he mumbles. “This is my fault. I miscalculated.”
“Non… sense,” My words are slow and heavy. They won’t seem to listen to my mind, as much as I want to reassure him. “I’m gooood. I’d take it… every day…”
Abaddon slides his hand across my back—fucking hell fuck—and grabs me by the shoulders, turning me directly toward him.
“Mmm,” I whimper out, my gaze fixing upon his gorgeous face. It’s so close to mine. So adorably worried. “Hello, darlin.”
Silver, silken strands fall like fresh snow across his forehead, his eyebrows scrunching towards his eyes, lips pressed thin. Those lips… I could just…
“Kae.”
“Abaddon,” I reply in a whisper, closing my eyes so I can sway to the music within him. “I like when you… my name…”
“I need to fly you home now.”
I blow raspberries, swatting his arms off my shoulders. “I can wallll-k.”
