Page 159 of A Soul to Steal

Aleron bit back his annoyance with a huff, since Gideon kept stopping their search. There were the rest stops every night. Their stay in his hometown. The cave where Aleron thought they may have been able to fly through the rain once the worst of the storm dissipated. And the very beginning where Gideon refused to help him search.

I want to find my kindred.His mind constantly obsessed over being reunited with his twin. His thoughts were always split evenly between trying to care for Gideon and the longing he had for Ingram. His heart twisted in his absence with how much he missed him.

The urge to deny Gideon just this once fled out of him at his bride’s grin. With teeth bared, gaze alight with an emotion he didn’t understand, and his handsome dimples prominent, the effect had Aleron’s wings fluttering in delight.

They fell from the sky for a second.I have missed that, missed the way he smiles.A true one that wasn’t steeped in sadness or falsities. He wanted to see more of them and spared a glance at the pools that had instigated it.If I go down, will he smile so brightly for me instead?

Aleron promptly took them back to a section of rock where trees refused to grow. The forest backed little pools that flowed constantly with steaming, fresh water. The air, warm and moist, kept the lingering snow at bay. A mingle of scents fluttered in the wind, like dewy stone, overripe plants, and a hint of... something tangy – a mineral he wasn’t used to. He was unsure if it was unpleasant or not.

When they landed at the edge of the forest, Gideon wriggled to be put down.

“These are Sunnet Hill’s headsprings,” Gideon stated, awe radiating in his voice. His green eyes spanned over the lush greenery growing up the mountain behind the pools, then the rocks that housed them, before he brought his gaze to Aleron. “They’re hot springs.”

“I do not understand why this matters,” Aleron stated honestly. It was water, and they’d passed many lakes and rivers. “Why is this place so special?”

“Because it’s warm!” Gideon gently placed his guitar down, and immediately reached over his head to grab the back of his shirt and jacket at the same time. “So many people have travelled here just to bathe in them, and rumours state no one has ever made it back alive.”

Aleron didn’t doubt that, as he could smell the evidence of Demons who had recently come through the area.

“Hundreds of years ago, there used to be some kind of establishment here, claiming the water had healing properties. Even though many think it’s a myth, people with ailments will brave the possibility of being eaten by Demons just to come bathe in the springs.”

As he spoke, Gideon removed his tunic and Aleron nervously shifted his weight between his feet. Aleron wished he’d keep his clothing on, since just a glance at Gideon’s rippling back had his insides tightening.

Just as Gideon lifted a foot to remove a boot, he halted. Then he walked over to one of the pools as he said, “I should probably check that this won’t boil me alive.”

Be too hot.Not enough to scald him, but to deter him into stripping and hopping inside.

He tentatively touched the water’s surface before shoving his entire hand in.

“Nope. Perfect,” Gideon stated, then retreated to where the grass lacked dampness. He removed one boot at a time. “I know you probably don’t want to get your wings wet, but you can lay them on the ground and sit in it with me.”

“Me?” Aleron asked, stepping back. “No. I do not wish to do this.”

Actually, Aleron was intending to turn around and sit with his back to Gideon, so he couldn’t view his body. As much as he wanted to take in his bride’s tantalising form and admire it, he also knew he would want... more. He avoided anything that could stir desire.

This human had allowed him to hold his handonce, and had only just let him embrace him properly the previous night.

These were slow steps, much like in Tenebris. It’d taken them over a month to fully embrace, but their time together had never been steeped in... sadness and pain involving each other.

Things are changing...Bit by bit, Aleron noticed the spaces separating them growing smaller.But I must be patient, yes?He needed Gideon to accept this, him,them.

Ugh. I don’t wish to wait. Why must humans be so complicated?He hadn’t fully understood this one in Tenebris, let alone everything that had happened since.

His love had been met with hatred, but it was now being returned with a strange, tense fondness. Aleron had never taken change well, and the last few weeks had been a mess of them.

“Your loss.” Gideon shrugged and reached for the ties of his trousers.

Aleron, slowly and slyly, turned around with his snout already lifted so he could avert his gaze. He didn’t wish to be noticed, didn’t want to be questioned on his avoidance.

“I’ll be honest, the whole not needing to eat, drink, or piss thing is kind of a benefit, but I have been hammering to be clean. How long have we been travelling? Three weeks, almosta month? Not once have I had a bath that isn’t rainwater. Just because it’s winter and I’m not sweating, doesn’t mean I don’t feel dirty. I hope these springs are healing for the mind as much as the body.”

Water sloshed behind him, and each kick of feet had his wings twitching. Was Gideon fully naked? Just the thought had him cupping the end of his snout to hide the groan that wanted to escape through his gnashing fangs.

Unable to bear not knowing, he peeked. Gideon’s arse was covered by his undershorts before they disappeared into the water as he waded deeper. Still, Aleron had taken in the rounded muscles of his backside, and how soft and squishy they looked as his shorts clung to him.

His tentacles shifted behind his seam, wishing to cling to Gideon’s smooth skin instead of that cloth.

He let out a choked noise and darted his head forward when his orbs flashed purple.Do not look.His entire body itched to turn around.

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