He’d taken part in all sorts of debauched acts, yet nothing compared to the mere taste of her lips.
Besides, the Soul Searcher could hardly be called a man. He was anything but human.
Vesperin slept soundly, and Cyrus was deeply, achingly glad she could rest. He took her hand in his, splaying her fingers wide to accommodate his own.
They’d left the city far behind, fireworks and high-rises swallowed by distance.
Outside, there was only forest and unregulated road stretching farther than even his enhanced vision could see.
He let his fingers stroke over hers, breathing in her sleep-sated scent and feeling his traitorous cock stir at her nearness.
He had his Soulbond again, so at least he could have pleasure whenever he wanted, claim her body whenever his hunger flared, feel the softness of her against him, and know the feel of her tight heat around him. But he was growing so tired. He’d not abstained this long since… he’d been trying to earn her trust on Sibeth, three hundred years ago. Then, after she’d been killed, and he’d held her cold, lifeless body in his arms until he could barely lift his head from his hunger.
Cyrus exhaled heavily, drawing the others’ attention.
Rhyden twisted in his seat so sharply that Cyrus thought his neck might snap. Pity. Cyrus wished it would. He felt the violence simmering just beneath the vampire’s flesh. Maybe if he died before it could boil over, Cyrus would be saved from trying to swoop in and play the hero. He wasn’t a hero. He was…
Cyrus smiled. He was a menace, but for his little doll, he’d be whatever she needed. If only he could be with her forever. Fuck the crown, fuck his father, and really, fuck anyone who ever tried to hurt her.
"I don’t like that goddamn look," Rhyden muttered, one hand gripping the seat back as he stared at Cyrus.
"What look?" Cyrus arched a brow. "This one?" He puckered his lips.
Vesperin stirred then, sighing as she rubbed her cheek against Auren’s shoulder. Her head slipped, but the Soul Searcher caught her gently, cradling her against him with careful hands. He handled her sweetly; it made Cyrus wonder…
Was Auren truly as kind as he seemed?
Cyrus let his senses open, tasting the air around Auren.
Devotion. It was so thick and potent, smelling like caramelized sugar, that Cyrus swallowed hard a few times to stave off a cough.
Infinitesimal glimmers of red filled the air, so faint he hoped the male wouldn’t notice.
But of course he did, dammit.
"What do you search for, Cyrus?" Auren asked calmly, even though Cyrus was invading his privacy.
Cyrus licked his lips, tasting remnants of the sweetness of devotion and deep affection on them. "I don’t know."
"Did you find it—what you were looking for?" Auren’s eyes were bright, the tiny Star flickering like it was burning.
"I guess so. Your devotion for her runs deep. That’s all I wanted,needed, to know. That you’d do anything to protect her."Cyrus lowered his voice, knowing Rhyden would hear anyway, with his vampiric senses. "When you came back from wherever you took her, she tasted sad, and you tasted… determined."
A muscle in Auren’s jaw fluttered.
The radio was on low, a newscaster listing the rise in Rogue sightings and violent attacks. Solar City seemed to be rotting from corruption. Cyrus couldn’t help but feel like it was all connected.
Cyrus tightened his hand around Vesperin’s, wishing he could whisk her away to another seaside cottage.
Auren didn’t bother with keeping his voice low. "She asked me to take her to Kiton’s grave, and I did."
Lucien reached forward and turned the radio down.
Cyrus bristled, furious that he’d done something so foolish. Auren lifted a hand.
"She entrusted me, that is why I did it. She did not sneak away. That behavior should be rewarded. Not all of us have the gift of history with her. I knew her for three lives, but each was a breath before she was taken. She must trust all of us if we are to keep her safe from what is to come. Fate moves around her, and I cannot help but feel we are all pawns of the Celestials." Auren’s words were as sharp as a blade, yet quiet as snow. "Kiton was there—at the graveyard."
The vehicle swerved. Cyrus cursed as Lucien righted the wheel.
