No more making love. And thats what it had been. Making love. He hadnt wanted it to be, had tried to resist, but in the end, even his body had known. Being with Olivia was right. Perfect.
But now, he couldnt keep her. Even if sending her home were not a life-and-death situation, no woman would stay with him knowing he would soon sleep with someone else. And he would. Bile rose in his throat. He wouldnt allow Legion to be possessed. He wouldnt allow the destructive Lucifer into this realm.
Eventually, Olivia will thank me for this. At least, thats what he told himself in a bid for solace. If she stayed here, she would be human. She would wither and die and he would have to watch, helpless to save her. It was a prospect that had always baffled him. A prospect that had always horrified him, yet just then, he would have given anything to spend more time with her.
Cant lose her.
We must. He would have liked to hold her, there at the end of their loving, as his mind became wrapped in thoughts of being together forever. Now he had to live the rest of his life without her, knowing she was out there, that he would forever be unable to see, hear or smell her.
No!
How was he going to bed Legion when Olivia was the only female his body responded to? He laughed bitterly. Hed gone from having no girlfriends, cockily assured he didnt need or want one, to basically having two. One he didnt desire. The other was ready to leave him.
Soon Ill return, Olivia had said.
Instantly hed panicked. Cant lose her now, hed thought. So hed told her they had time and that she was to stay here. All hed done was prolong the inevitable, making the split more painful when it finally happened. But he hadnt fucking cared!
Aeron, a soft voice beseeched from behind him.
Heaven. Wrath sighed.
Stay strong. Resist. He didnt allow himself to face her, but called, Out here.
Soft footsteps resounded, then Olivia was beside him, gazing into the approaching night, her wild scent enveloping him. Smelling her without touching her was torture. Torture he deserved.
Wheres Legion? he asked, expecting the girl to burst through the door at any moment.
Sleeping.
Without Aerons presence? That doesnt sound like her.
Olivia shrugged a delicate shoulder. If you must know, I drugged her. And Im not sorry!
His lips twitched. Gods, he lovadmired this woman. The smile, small as itd been, fell away.
One of Wraths visions suddenly opened up in his head; it was of Olivia and Legion sneaking through the fortress halls, careful to tiptoe, even while pushing each other out of the way. Legion held a bottle of wine. Olivia held two glasses.
Clearly, theyd gone to the kitchen. And for alcohol, of all things. But where else had they gone and why?
They reached his bedroom and Olivia said, A toast to your success.
Thats right, Legion said smugly. My success. I told you Aeron was mine and would never be yours.
Again, Aeron wanted to shake her.
And you were right. The color drained from Olivias cheeks as she poured the drinks. With her back to Legion, she ripped a tiny piece of her robe from the sleeve. She then dropped that little speck of material into one of the glasses.
Sleep, she whispered as the material dissolved, then rotated to Legion with a forced smile. I know when Im beaten.
The demon claimed the glass greedily and even before she swallowed the last drop of her wine, she began wavering on her feet. Her eyes leveled on Olivia. Somethingswrong
Of course it is. Did you really think I wouldnt doctor your wine?
Bitch, Legion slurred, as her knees buckled. She hit the floor snoring.
Olivias robe could clearly do more than Aeron had realized, and at that moment, he should have been filled with a desire to drug Olivia. But to his utter amazement, Wrath wascharmed by her actions. Heaven had merely played with Hell, and the demon wanted only to hold the winner of that game.
Are you angry with me? Olivia asked, drawing him from his odd thoughts.
Grateful. He was too raw to deal with Legion right now. Too raw to think about the girl he considered a daughter. Change the subject. Now. Theres something different about your voice. I noticed it earlier, but now, its even more obvious. Shed told him about Legion, but hed felt no compulsion to believe her.
Yes, was all she said. Somethings different.
What? he asked, though he thought he knew the answer. She must be losing more of her angel-abilities the more time she spent here.
How would her fellow angels react to that when she returned home? He didnt like the thought of them shunning so precious a female.
She gave another shrug, but this time her skin brushed his. He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the softness. And when a cool breeze swept over the balcony, lifting her hair and tossing the strands against his bare chest, he thought his tenuous hold on sanity completely severed.
Mine. Yours. Ours. Forever. Cries from the demon, from him.
Never. A stark reminder.
When he opened his eyes, he returned his focus to the sky. You used to live up there, he said, his voice hoarse.
Yes.
What was it like?
We live in clouds, which are far more than you imagine. Her affection was obvious. They have rooms, and whatever we command, they produce. Were hidden from the rest of the world, but we can still see whats happening around us. Like angels flying past, or warriors corralling demons. We can see storms but not be touched by them. We can see the stars, blazing so close, but not be burned by them.
Palpable excitement from the demon. Yes, yes.
And you gave it all up. For him. For fun. He was humbled. Guilty. Ashamed. For the most part, hed given her only pain and worry. But he was alsoglad.
Yes, she said again, as simply as that. Then, shifting uncomfortably, she changed the subject. Why do you have two butterfly tattoos? Ive always wondered.
The one on my back is the mark of my demon, and the one on my ribs is of my own making. I wanted to always see, to always know the narrow ledge I walk.
I dont think you ever needed visual aid. You never seem to forget. Sadness had replaced the affection. Enough reminiscing. I know youre heading into battle tonight.
A sobering reminder. Correct. He didnt ask how she knew about the coming fight. He could guess. She and Legion had spied on him. Thats why theyd left his room.
I want to go with you, she said. If I return home now, Ill be able to join you and the Hunters wont know Im there. Ill be able to protect you, like a shield. Ill be able to
No! He cleared his throat and offered more gently, No.
The railing whined again, bending, and he pulled his fingers free, one by one. Again, he thought, Cant lose her now. Again Wrath whimpered. Thats not necessary.
They still had time, damn it.
I have to leave anyway, so why not now? Why not do so while I can help you?
Any other time, he would have admired such determination. Now he turned to her, snarling, Why would you want to help me? Why arent you screaming at me? Ranting about what Im going to do? That would have been easier to deal with.
Instead, she gazed up at him through calm eyes. Theres no need for me to resort to such emotions. Im an angel.
Fallen, he corrected darkly, then blinked. This was the first time hed ever acknowledged the distinction, and oh, the irony sliced deep.
There was a pause, a regretful sigh. Then, Not for much longer Im not.
Mine.
He crowded her, closing the rest of the distance between them, fisting her robe and anchoring the handfuls of fabric against the railing so that she couldnt escape. Did she not care that they would be parted? Did she not care that they would never again be together? That they would never again make love? That he would soon do something vile, unforgivable?
Let me go, Aeron. Still so calm.
Never, he thought.
Never, Wrath agreed.
We cant think like that. Will your people treat you differently when yougo back? Even saying it was difficult, but he needed the reminder. You wont be the same person you once were.
Theyll welcome me home. She shook her head and more of those silky tendrils danced over him. With the exception of our Council, theyre very tolerant. Very patient.
Lysander doesnt strike me as either one of those things.
She smiled wryly. Well, he isnt a typical angel.
That smilehe needed more. Had to have more. As many as possible, until There are seven days left. The words croaked from him. Stupid. Still, he pressed their chests together, felt her nipples bead, and just like that he hardened, ready. Promise me youll stay six.
The calm finally left her, a storm brewing. Wh-why?
Just promise me. Please.
Please, Wrath echoed, as pitiful as Aeron. Who would have thought theyd be reduced to this?
I cant, she said. Im sorry. She looked away from him, over his shoulder.
But not before he saw the tears swimming in her eyes. Tears that undid himemasculated him. He reached up and cupped the back of her neck, forcing her to face him, to see his desireand a determination that surely rivaled hers.
So thats a maybe?
A shaky laugh escaped her. No. Thats a no.
I did that. I made her laugh. What can you promise me? At this point, hed take anything.
Aa day, she offered shakily.
A day. A day wasnt enough. Eternity might not be enough. His grip on her tightened. Youll stay until I return from town. Even if thats a little longer than twenty-four hours. Please.
Why is that so important to you? she demanded, letting loose the first hint of that churning tempest.
Because I need you. Because I want you. Because I hate the thought of being away from you. Because, if it were only you and me, and my decisions didnt affect anyone else, I would willingly die just to have another minute in your arms.
Youll stay? he insisted, ignoring her question. If I think theres a chance youll leave, I wont be able to concentrate. Hed never manipulated before. He stated facts, for better or worse, unconcerned by the results. Now Ill be an easy target, perhaps injured again. So tell me. Tell me youll stay.
She licked her lips, and her shoulders sagged. IAll right.
Not good enough. Say it.
Yes, she whispered. Ill stay until you return from town.
Without that layer of truth in her voice, he didnt know whether she lied to him or not. But he chose to believe her, because he couldnt stand the thought of her absence.
Now that weve got that settled, will you let me go? Even as she spoke, she placed her hands on his chest, not pushing him away but tracing his tattoos.
Mmm. Wrath sighed.
She might not want to want him just then, but want him she clearly did. Why do you desire me? he demanded, another fierce reminder of the obstacles between them. Why did you pick me? Beautiful as you are, smart as you are, sweet as you are, you could have anyone. Someone not covered with pictures of their sins.
Because. A mutinous answer, though she didnt back away.
Why? He shook her now, desperate for the truth for reasons he didnt care to contemplate. Please, Olivia. Tell me.
Perhaps it was the please that swayed her. Perhaps the savageness of his actions. Either way, she shouted, Because you arent what you believe you are. You arent what everyone else believes. You might have delivered countless deaths but you love more fiercely than anyone Ive ever known. You give of yourself with no thoughts to your own happiness. She laughed, and it was as bitter-sounding as his own had been. Funny, isnt it? The very qualities that brought me to you are the things that are sending me away.
Stay.
He quashed the plea before it escaped. Loved more fiercely? By gods, he would. Now, this moment, before time betrayed him.
Without any warning, he meshed their mouths together, unable to stop himself, thrusting his tongue inside. She opened without protest, eagerly accepting his brutality. Good thing. He had no control, and was glad for it. He had only a beginningOliviaand the hated endher loss. And that lossgods. Losing her would slay him.
No, he thought then. Her kiss would. His demise rested in this meeting of souls, he realized, and again, he was glad. He tasted and claimed and conquered without reservation. He gave and he took.
If this were the end, he would die like a warrior.
I will make you mine, woman. He jerked her robe around her waist. Her legs, bared. Her core, his. Still she wasnt wearing any panties, and the knowledge nearly floored him. One day, he wanted her on a bed. Wanted to remove her clothing slowly, take her lingeringly. Savoring every second, every breathy sigh.
Now, he just wanted her.
Urgency rode him as he reached for the button on his pants, tried to openit caught, so he ripped them apart. His cock sprang free. I hope youre ready for me, Olivia.
READY FOR HIM? Olivia thought she would be ready for this man every minute of every day for the rest of her life. He was peering down at her as if she were necessary for his survival. As if he lived only because she did.
And this would be the last time she ever experienced such a gaze.
Sadness threatened to overwhelm her, but the force of her desire beat it back. Later. Later she could wallow in her misery. But for now, she was in Aerons arms. Her body was on fire for him. She was wet and shaky and aching all over.
This was what shed given up her wings for, after all. This was what shed given up eternity for. And here it was, hers for the taking. No matter what happened next, she would always have this.
Olivia, he said, her name a guttural beseeching.
Ready. Promise.
He cupped her bottom, lifted her, and as she wound her legs around his waist, he drove inside her, all the way to the hilt. She cried out, unable to strangle the sound. As big as he was, he stretched her, but as sore as she should have been, considering theyd done this not long ago, her pleasure was unparalleled.