Page 67 of A Love of Wrath and Rapture

Spotting her mother, he quickly puts her on the ground again. “We have to go now.”

Sasha nods, her big eyes shining with tears. She reaches into her dress pocket, which I’m surprised could hold anything—it’s full of holes.

My heart melts when she takes out small, colorful rocks. Holding her two hands out, the rocks nearly falling from them, she looks at Xeros. “For you.”

He hesitates for a second before he bends down and lets her drop them in his gigantic hand. She giggles and gives him a tight hug, her little arms barely able to wrap around his neck.

Xeros sits uncomfortably through the display of affection, avoiding eye contact with me.

I hide my smile with my hand as we wave her goodbye, her mother dragging her away ‘to wash your filthy little ass.’

I turn to open the door of my home, the weight of my decision falling on my shoulders again.

28

XEROS

We enter the dark house and I watch quietly as Evangeline closes the door and lights up a lamp. The light is dim but offers enough illumination to let me see the expression on her face.

There’s no hesitation to be found, just a steely resolve to put her words into action.

She doesn’t speak, but I see her hand tremble slightly as she picks up a leather satchel with a shoulder strap. She starts going through the personal items stowed in a wicker basket.

I can’t tell if she’s shaking from adrenaline or because she’s upset. Our bond makes me feel like she’s just really worked up about being forced to leave her home, again. This time is different. This time she has me by her side.

I spot dried flowers, a pair of old, faded leather gloves, and a pale crystal roughly shaped into a cube among the things she packs.

Wordlessly, she gently wraps these items in cloth before putting them in her satchel.

Once again, I notice her fingers trembling slightly and something inside me compels me to reach out and hold her hand.

Hoping that my solemn determination shows on my face, I gently grab her chin to make her face me.

“I’m with you. Wherever you’ll go.”

Her smile stirs my insides, and the courage in her eyes reassures me that she will be alright. We will be alright.

“I know that, Xeros. I’m not scared. I’m a little bit excited, to be completely honest.” Her voice is even, reflecting the calmness I can sense falling over her.

She puts down the satchel and takes my hands in hers.

“Every fiber of my being is heartened by you and your presence. I’m not the best with words, so I don’t know how to express this, but somehow, without you even saying it, I know you’ll always be by my side.”

For a moment, we simply look at each other, holding hands. Our breathing becomes synchronized and I can hear our hearts beating in rhythm. I look down, her small, delicate hands seem so fragile in my big, taloned ones.

How can such an inherently weak creature hold such sway over me and my heart? Just one look and I’m ready to tear the world apart for her. This bond… It's fierce and fervent. Unbreakable.

Her eyes brighten and she squeezes my hands.

“We’ve spoken about our bond before… I told the council how it assures me of your loyalty… but there’s so much more to it.” She goes quiet, seemingly searching for the right words.

I take the opportunity to say something. “Our connection is like an invisible but tangible and undeniable thread that binds us together. I will tear down the skies for you and kill anyone who dares to stand between us.”

My eyes rest on hers, and I feel myself smiling slightly—an odd sensation indeed.

“At the same time, I also want to be… happy with you. It’s not something I’ve ever wanted before. I never even considered what happiness was. Now, I know it’s in your laughter, your touch, and just being around you.”

Evangeline blushes slightly. “Wow. Who knew you had such a poetic side to you?” She chuckles softly.

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