Page 195 of A Soul to Steal

“I’m Reia, by the way.” Her smile turned into an evil grin – or perhaps he only saw it thusly due to her withholding information from him.

“Reia,” Aleron lowly growled out, acknowledging her with a nod. “What is it you seek?”

Despite the excitement alight in her eyes, they hardened as she looked over Gideon. “You have a bride. Groom? I don’t know what to call him, to be honest.”

Groom? Gideon has stated this word.It truly did appear to be a human term. Aleron peeked at the male at his side.Does this mean I should call him something different?

But he liked bride. It felt right to him.

“Yes, I have a bride,” Aleron confirmed, placing a hand at Gideon’s waist to tuck him into his side. “What of it?”

“It means I can trust you. Well... as much as I can trust a stranger. But! It means you won’t be dangerous unless youchooseto be, which I doubt because all you Duskwalkers seem to be sweethearts.”

“Reia, what is it you seek from him?” Orpheus pushed while turning to her, his fur lifting. In a way, he looked untrusting of his own female.

“He has wings!” she exclaimed. “I want him to take me into the air. I can’t imagine how exhilarating it would be.”

“But we don’t know him.” Orpheus waved his hand in their direction.

She greeted the wolf Mavka with a bright expression.

“Please, Orpheus? Who knows when he’ll be back, and he has a bride. It’s unlikely he’d hurt me, right?” She’d turned to Aleron when she asked her question, as if she’d actually been questioning him rather than Orpheus.

Despite how much Aleron wanted to leave, something about her cheer and expression suddenly warmed him.

“In exchange for information, you want me to take you into the air? Why? You just met me.”

The mirth in her gaze deepened. “You Duskwalkers are quick to move. Whether it be on your journeys, or to take action, your attention spans are kind of... brief and ever-changing. I’ve learned its best if I go at your speed and ask for what I want directly. And the moment Ingram told me you had wings, I always knew I would ask you to take me for a flight.” She turned back to Orpheus and reached out to clasp his wrist with both her hands. “Ingram is so nice that his literal twin has to be as well.”

I like her.She spoke clearly and was easy for him to understand, as if she understood his mind already. She was alsoquick to trust him, to trust Mavka, as if she could tell they weren’t horrible, violent creatures.

In the span of a few minutes, she’d showed just how deeply she cared about all of his kind – even one who was a stranger. She even spoke fondly of his kindred, which was the absolute best way to soften his resolve and birth tenderness in his heart.

Ingram is nice. He is a wonderful kindred.

But he knew Orpheus. The territorial male, who was often grouchy, would never agree to such a thing.

“If that is what you wish, my little doe,” Orpheus responded with a chuckle. It cut short when his fangs snapped in Aleron’s direction. “Would you agree to this? And promise not to harm her?”

Taken aback by Orpheus’ allowance of this, especially since Aleron understood how much a bride meant by having his own, his wings twitched in realisation. His sight drifted over the female at Orpheus’ side, and Aleron was unable to help his chuckle.

She has changed him.Or rather...healedhim.

“I will not do it in exchange for Ingram’s whereabouts. I would do it simply because she asked so enthusiastically,” Aleron stated cordially. Still, he lowered his gaze to Gideon. “Would this be okay with you?”

“Of course,” he said, shrugging. “I don’t mind. I’d like to rest a little bit anyway.”

Aleron searched his features to make sure he was being honest. When he saw no misgivings in Gideon’s expression, only the dark impressions under his eyes from his two nights of poor sleep, he nodded.

Ahorriblesqueal came from the woman as she stamped her feet. She leapt, throwing her arms around Orpheus’ furry neck to hug him. Quick to catch her, he lifted her into the crook of his elbow with her arse seated upon it.

Aleron tilted his head when she looked like a bird that had perched on a branch.

“I will have to take this one, though,” Orpheus stated, reaching towards her stomach.

The black blob from earlier lifted a featureless face towards his claws, sniffed them, then grabbed the sharp ends of them with two tiny, pliable hands. Orpheus took the creature from her and placed it against the fur of his chest, where it latched on.

Its mouth opened, and a purple tongue curled, before burying into his fur until it blended and almost seemed to disappear.

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