Page 47 of Omission

There’s no limit, on what I’d do for her.

I hear you. Your voice is adorable, baby. So sweet.

It doesn’t hurt with you? Why?

“That’s enough, brother.” Right on cue, Gabriella steps through those gathered and places herself between us, Anaya behind her. Her stance is protective, and for further proof, she extends a hand back which my mate grabs onto. You are going to go with her, Anaya. I’ll be with you soon. “You’re accusing your mate of treason. Those are high charges, and until you have proof, I’m taking her with me.”

“She’s not leaving.”

“Yes. I am.” Turning to look at my sister, Anaya gives her a small smile. “Please get me out of here.”

As we agreed on the phone, Gabriella turns and walks away with Anaya while Theodore watches their backs. They’d gone home a few days ago but came back at my request to play this role. Their guards are with them, too, and Tero gives me a subtle nod of the head in snake form when they make it to a portal at the opposite end of the field.

They step through without issue, my sister hugging Anaya, but before she goes I hear her one last time in my head:

When you mind link me, it’s like a pleasurable caress to my senses, Leonardo. Fills me with warmth, when my father used our mental connection as his favorite form of punishment. Thank you for showing me the difference, my love. I’ll be waiting for you.

16

ANAYA

“Are you sure no one here will hate me?” I ask Gabriella, a slight tremble in my voice as we exit their private jet a short ride later. This is the second time I’ve been on a plane, although the first I wasn’t lucid. I’d slept from Canada to Italy while Leonardo held me close, never straying far from me.

And even while asleep, a part of me was aware of this.

I heard his low words. He wasn’t speaking to me, but I felt them just the same.

Love is the most powerful thing in the world, Leo. No matter the species or your beliefs, we are all worthy of unconditional love, son. So when you find her, cherish your mate. Honor her and your bond, even if at times, this brings you pain.

Is that what he meant? The being in pain?

Because since the moment I walked away from him, hearing his words of encouragement and promising me it would be okay, I’ve felt empty. This is worse than going through the pains of what I thought was rejection, because now I know what waking beside your mate feels like. The butterflies saying his name gives me—the look of pride on his face when he sees me experience something for the first time.

Like the day I discovered my love for smiley stickers and colorful highlighters. It might not seem important to some, but they’re pretty and I like to leave him Have A Good Day on his bedside table every morning before he leaves for the training grounds or his office.

The first time I made a cookie, he ate it like it was a decadent pastry. Didn’t care that the bottom was burned to a crisp and probably tasted like soot.

That’s love.

And I love him.

I should’ve told him before I left.

“You are safe, Anaya,” Gabriella says, pulling from those sad thoughts. I need to trust that this separation is to keep me safe. “No one in our kingdom would dare lay a hand on you.”

“Thank you.”

“Family takes care of one another. Never thank us for that.”

“Mine causes pain.” The words slip before I have a chance to reign them in. They cause the vampire king to snap his head in our direction, he pauses at the now-open doorway of the plane and meets my eyes. There’s no coldness in the red, if anything, I find warmth. Just like with Xadiel. “I’m sorry. That just—”

“I’d ask my father to give Larue his life again, just to slice his head off myself. Although, I think Leo might fight me for the honor. That bastard was an animal, Anaya, and even they protect their offspring.”

“He’s right, you know.” Gabby bumps her shoulder with mine before exiting the plane. They wait for me at the bottom of the short stairs, the long coral-colored summer dress I’m wearing fluttering in the strong breeze coming from the ocean mere steps away. The runway is on a cliff adjacent to the vampiric castle, but that’s not what has my attention.

Mere feet from me is a man in a mid-shift change. His body has white scales, eyes a near milk-like sky blue and his head snaps in my direction once my feet reach the tarmac. I’d seen him back in the field, but the man did not travel with us on the plane.

I’m staring. I know I am.

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