“All of it,” I say.
He bows his head and his ears flick sadly. “Yes. But I’m not sure how that will ever happen.”
I’m not either, but I have faith that the others will figure it out. And when they’re ready—when it’s time to fight for what we need—I will be there.
“I’m heading to the front now. Will you be good here until Rosie gets in?”
I nod and reach for a box of paper cups to begin my opening work. “Always. And thank you again for all your help.”
He touches his forehead to mine once more, then walks away without another word.
twenty-nine
CIELO
When I arrive home from work, a pile of cash in my pocket—some of which I will spend on my Dante to buy him pretty things—I find my VySytheh already home. He is lounging on the couch, his leg draped over the arm, his shirt off. His small nipples and smooth skin make lust pulse through me.
He is gorgeous. More beautiful than the colorful sky as the sun sets, and just as vibrant.
“How was work?” he asks, his eyes shifting from his phone to me. I see the smile in his eyes, and it makes pleasure course through me. “I got off early. Everest said he was going to shut the store down for me.”
“Good,” I say as I fall onto the sofa next to him, curling into him. His hand finds my hair, and he scratches, making my ears flutter wildly. Letting out a soft thrymm, I smile as he huffs a laugh, his eyes moving back to his phone.
I do not want him looking at anything or anyone besides me in this moment. It makes me selfish, but I cannot help it.
He is mine.
I reach out to take the distraction from his hand, but it buzzes loudly.
He glances down at the screen, murmuring under his breath. “Oh shit. Sorry, babe. Luca said he’s going to send me something important.”
He turns the phone so I can see it, and I read the words on the screen carefully.
Luca: Sending video, need u to listen and tell me what it’s saying.
Dante frowns at the screen. “There’s no attachment. Maybe it will take a while to load.”
“Impooortannn?”
“Yeah. I think so. Luca never asks me to do this unless he really needs it. Did you see him at work today?”
“Yes. He wahhved. Nooot say hi.”
“Hmm.” Dante continues to frown, chewing on his lower lip, which looks like fun, so I lean in to take a taste for myself. He groans and turns his head toward me, his phone dropping to the side as we kiss. He tastes delicious. He tastes like mine.
It is a peculiar thing to taste my VySytheh. I wonder if any other Vyastil besides Rathyn has experienced this. This bonding, this soul connection.
Moving my head, I nibble on the skin of his neck and shoulders, loving the way his skin ripples under mine. He groans, and I cannot help but straddle him, licking across the lobe of his tiny ear. I know the weight of me is heavy, but he bears it easily, his hand running up and down my sides.
I love the feeling of his human skin against mine. It is so soft, so thin and fragile, but holds such strength. So much love within.
I turn my head again as he whines for another kiss, so I give him my tongue before he nips at my jaw. His lips trace the same path I took on him, and when he reaches the crook of my neck, he pauses and then gnaws at me with his blunt teeth.
I wish for him to pierce me, to make me his in the same way I want to mark him.
I want it to be a symbol of our love for each other.
And I do love him. It is a human emotion, but one that is also of Erethar. The Vyastil can know this kind of feeling, this kind of joy, if we allow ourselves to be open to it.
