Wrapping her in a tight embrace, I whispered, “If this is purgatory, then let’s enjoy it. If this is the last place we’ll ever be together, I want to be with you. All of you. For the rest of the time we have left.”
The swirling snow turned gold as the fire inside me ignited, resuming its rightful place around my heart. I sagged with relief as my bones turned molten. My blood full of liquid heat and strength.
Fucking finally...
“Oh...” Rook shivered as her skin flashed with glittering frost. “I never thought I’d be so happy to have the very thing that made my life so miserable come back, but...thank goodness. I can feel it spreading through me, taking me over again.”
“Me too.” I clutched her close, our two elements connecting with a cloud of steam. The visceral pull sharpened. Tipping up her chin, I kissed her.
She kissed me back with a moan.
I lost myself, turning more beast than man as our heads tilted and the kiss deepened. Sparkling energy crackled as our tongues licked and welcomed.
Fuck, if thiswasa fantasy, then...I preferred it.
I would happily let reality fade away if I could spend an eternity with Rook, right here...forever.
“Lucien.” Planting her hands on my chest, she pushed a little.
I breathed hard as she broke the kiss, her fingers digging into my flesh with a surprised gasp. “Wait...the vitalsync core isn’t there anymore. Just like last time.” Tearing at my shirt, she ran her fingers over me. She lingered over my heart that was no longer trapped by ugly metal.
“Whatisthis place that it can free you from that nasty thing?” Her eyebrows drew together as she pressed her palm over my skin.
I trembled as she touched me, unable to stop myself from planting my hand over her knuckles, forcing her to touch me harder. Her caress gave me more energy and strength than any food orwater.
She seemed to be the only thing my system craved and I needed more...I need everything.
“Kiss me,” I murmured, swaying to capture her mouth.
“Hang on. You...” Her worried gaze shot to mine. “Y-Your heart isn’t beating.”
I knew I should probably react to that. That I should have an opinion on hearing something so bizarre, but...the yearning clawed so sharp and hot it muted everything. I grew drunk on the power she gave me just by existing. The way my fire crackled and burned because of her. Everything about her fed every starving part of me, and talking was a fucking nuisance. “Come here.”
She backed up a little, shaking her head. “Didn’t you hear me? You don’t have a heartbeat.”
“So?” I frowned as I stalked her across the endless misty world. “I’m still breathing, aren’t I? Come. Here.”
“Areyou breathing?” She held her hands to her mouth, exhaling against them as if testing to see if air appeared. “AmIbreathing?” Her fingers flew to her chest, pressing above the swell of her breast. “I...I don’t have a heartbeat either.”
The slippery, darting thought I’d had before returned.
The idea that perhaps this wasn’t a physical plane but a metaphysical one. I didn’t really care. All I cared about was touching her because if I didn’t, I’d break into a million tiny pieces and disappear.
“Comehere,Rook.”
Her.
Only her.
Only she could cripple me and control me.
And right now, Ineededher.
So. Fucking. Much.
“But we need to figure this out,” she argued.
“Not if it wastes the precious time we might have before death truly takes us.” Marching into her, I captured the back of her neck and kissed her.
