Page 40 of A Lost Light

I arched my brows at him. “So do it already. Geesh. Do you need a printed invi—”

He finally leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. I hummed happily into the kiss, feeling our energies entwined. I had carried Elijah's ghostly presence inside myself on more than one occasion. But this was different. That had been just a mere fragment, a trace of his true essence. Now he was whole, and the powerful, gorgeous aura melding with mine was heady like sun-warmed honey with a hint of dark smoke. I curled my fingers into his t-shirt and pulled him closer, wanting to finally feel his body against my own. Elijah's hands hesitantly landed on my hips, squeezing.

When we came up for air, I stared into his glowing blue eyes. His wings were flared, and they glowed even brighter than usual, rippling with energy. “Was that okay?” he whispered. “Please tell me that was okay. I don't think I can stand any more rejection.”

I tilted my head at his words, and he froze, as if he had just realized what he said. “Oh, this all becomes clearer,” I said with a grin as I leaned back on my hand to watch him blush. He was fair-skinned, so he went bright red from his throat to the tips of his ears. “Justwhowas stupid enough to reject you in all your golden glory?”

He closed his eyes and spoke in a defeated tone. “Dyre,” he mumbled.

I laughed. He opened his eyes and looked at me like a kicked puppy. “It's not funny. I made a fool of myself only to be informed that it's just the 'maker's bond. He was very polite about it, but obviously the man had no interest in kissing one of his undead creations.”

I scooted closer to him, unable to keep the amusement from my voice, even as I tried for seriousness. “So, you just assumed no one would want you.”

He shrugged. “It seemed an obvious conclusion.” Then he lifted his eyes and gave me a wry smirk. “Though youdotend to be more accepting of weird situations than most.” He rubbed a hand over his face and groaned. “You're laughing at me again.”

I shook my head, but the grin wouldn't leave my face. “Elijah, Dyre is a complete and uttermoron.Especially when it comes to relationships. I've seen the way you two gravitate toward each other these days. It's not one-sided. And if he's blaming it on the maker bond, well, that seems on-brand for him.”

He gave me a puzzled look. “What do you mean? The bonddoesinfluence things. I can feel that much.”

I snorted. “Yeah, well. Do you know why he wanted me to break our first lifebond? It was because he said he wanted to be sure that it wasn't influencing his feelings. That he wanted to be sure what we were feeling was our own free will, and not because of some spell.” I shrugged. “He wasn'twrongfor being cautious. But these things are more complex than that. Nothing changed when we severed the bond. Did the lifebond magnify things? Sure. But I don't believe it could have invented feelings that weren't already there. And those feelings certainly didn’t just magically go away during the time our bond was severed.”

I shrugged. “I don't know much about the maker bond between a necromancer and his creations, but if I’d have toguess, I’d say it’s the same way. I'm pretty sure he never looked at any of hisothercreations like he looks at you when he thinks no one is watching.”

He shook his head. “I forgot how complicated emotions are when you have a physical body to amplify them. You may be right. Or not. But regardless of my feelings toward my new master, what does this whole thing mean forus.For you and me?”

I smiled. “It means whatever you want it to mean. Elijah, I know I haven't been very obvious with my affection since you got your body back. But that isn't because I’m repulsed by you. I was trying to give youspace.To give you time to adjust to this staggering change without some thirsty witch immediately jumping your bones.” I winked. “I've wished so many times that I could touch you for real. You know I have. And that hasn't changed. I love you, Elijah, in any form you might take. Did you think I was so shallow I'd suddenly dump you just because your soul lives in a new house now?”

He chuckled. “A new house. I like that. I am still me. I've just… changed locales. Found myself a new home.”

I nodded. “No more talk of not belonging, okay? As for the rest, if you want me, I'm here. Happily waiting for you to decide if and when you want more.”

Elijah's smile grew sultry as he dragged his gaze over my body and back up to meet my eyes. “And if I were to decide that I want everything, right now?”

I laughed and stood to pull my clothes off. “Then you better go lock the door if you want some semblance of privacy. Or don't. Your choice.”

Chapter 21

Andy

Elijah's body might be borrowed and re-modeled, but it truly was a work of art. He was tall and broad shouldered, deliciously muscular, but not bulky—just sculpted perfection. The glowing branches of his wings spread out behind him, glittering with his bright angelic magic. It was easy to see why any mere mortal might think he was a being sent by the gods.

I ran a hand up the center of his sculpted chest, teasing my fingers over the faint dusting of golden hair as I smiled up into his bright blue eyes. “You are so beautiful,” I told him reverently. My angel had been denied physical sensations for decades until he met me. And even then, he had only experienced the comfort and pleasure of physical contact through me while he occupied my aura. I knew the experience had meant a lot to him, but it probably wasn't the same as having your own body, your own sensations to drown in.

He caught my hand and brought it to his lips, kissing the backs of my fingers, his gaze never leaving mine, burning with intensity. “I'm happy that you think so. That you aren't… concerned about the origins of my new home. But nothingcompares to you, Oleander Lovell. You are beauty incarnate. Soft and strong, lush and welcoming, your heart as fathomless as the heavens.”

I huffed a laugh, even as some part of me basked in his flowery praise. “Ooh… listen to you, making me swoon.”

His chiseled lips curved upward in fond humor. “I only speak the truth. Would you accuse a divine being of lying?”

I tugged my hand free so I could wrap my arms around his neck, going up on my tiptoes to press my body to his as I pulled him down for a kiss. His arms gently enfolded me, not rushing or greedy, despite how long we had waited and wished for this moment.

Kissing Elijah was… heavenly. Pun intended. His skin was surprisingly warm against my own, despite his revenant state, probably thanks to the angelic magic coursing through his entire being. His lips were soft against my own, inviting, not questioning, but gently claiming, asserting that this was how it was meant to be. I opened to him and his tongue danced with mine, sweet, but not hesitant. He dipped and got his hands under my ass, effortlessly lifting me off my feet.

I kissed him deeper, trusting him to know his own strength as I wrapped my legs around his lean hips. He didn't falter, squeezing my ass as he pressed me impossibly closer, slowly moving toward the bed as I drown in his kisses.

I came up for air when he laid me on the bed. He hovered over me for a moment, his glowing blue eyes taking in every feature. “I've wanted you for so long,” he murmured. “And yearned for this even longer. To be able to feel. To experience the warmth of another's touch.”

I reached up and cupped his cheek, feeling like I might melt from all the sweetness. “The feeling is absolutely mutual,” I said honestly. “I haven't endured all that you have, but I thought myheart might actually break for you. I'm so glad you're here now, with me, like this.”

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