Page 222 of A Soul to Steal

“Would you like something to eat or drink?” Emerie offered.

“No,” he answered without looking at her. “I’m pretty content with the idea of not consuming anything. What’s the point anyway?”

“I don’t know? It makes me feel human. But yeah, you’re right. Sometimes I question why I still do it, and honestly... half the time, I don’t either, since doing my business in the forest while travelling with Ingram is a bit of a headache.”

“Being a Phantom comes with its struggles, I guess.”

“Yeah. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the whole half human, half spirit – half alive, half dead thing.”

He nodded to show he understood. As Emerie came up beside him, he lifted his arm. She slotted herself underneath it, tucking herself against him with an arm around his back. He settled his on her shoulders.

Then the cretin sniffed in his direction, and her lips pulled downwards sourly. “You need a bath.”

The urge to shove her face into his armpit was strong, but he denied it. However, what she said did cause him to narrow his eyes in thought.

“On our way here, we met another Duskwalker. Orpheus.”

“How was he?” A chuckle fell from her. “Last time I saw him, Reia was pregnant, and he was following her around like she’d break in half from a gust of wind.”

One side of his lips curled in humour. “They’re fine. So is Kevin, if you’re wondering.”

“She didn’t actually call them Kevin, did she?!” She gave a horrendous laugh, making him wince. “I thought she was joking!”

He joined in, only for his laughter to quickly fade. “Before that, though, we went to some other houses. I noticed the Duskwalkers left protective dome wards down.”

“Yeah. Ingram accidentally made one.” He didn’t know why her cheeks heated in embarrassment at that, which only made the scarring on her face more prominent.

He ducked his head down to her. “But he can show Aleron how to make one, yeah?”

She shrugged. “Sure. I don’t see why not.”

“How long do they last for?”

“I think around ten years. Why?”

“Perfect. I think I just figured out where we can go that’ll be better than here. We can use it as our winter base for the future.”

“Where?” Emerie asked, her brows knitting as she finally turned her face to his.

A mischievous grin lifted his features. “You’ll see.”

When movement shifted from inside his wing, Aleron was softly brought to alertness. It’d happened a few times already, so he thought nothing of it and began to drift off again.

Snow surrounded them, as did an unknown forest. Once he and his kindred had healed their wounds, they’d moved on from the home they’d stayed in.

Aleron was still getting used to holding so many within his wings, and all of them moved periodically. It’d take time for him to adjust, but the contentment in his heart meant any disturbance only deepened his joy.

Gideon had already explained Emerie’s fear.

It’d bothered him that something so important to him could frighten his kindred’s bride. Gideon had assured him that with time, she’d grow comfortable with them.

Yet, despite this, Emerie had shut her eyes tight and bravely let herself be settled into their cuddle within his wings. Aleron, who held Gideon to his front, and Ingram, who held her to his front, placed their brides back-to-back in the middle.

She shook like a leaf at first, but managed to be soothed by her Mavka and brother until she fell asleep. Remaining quiet andstiff, Aleron tried not to jostle the part of his body encompassing her, nor speak – since he doubted he had the humanity to assist.

It wasn’t difficult to make the cuddle, since his wings were so long and large. The elbow arches of them sat next to Ingram’s raven skull, and the rest of them crossed over his back. The important thing was that their little humans were sheltered, hidden from sight and mostly scent, and everyone was included.

He didn’t even mind when Gideon rolled over to cuddle Emerie in his sleep, only to shift back around. However, he did mind occasionally being kneed in the seam when he tried to slot a leg between his thighs, but Aleron just bit back his choke. He also brought his wings in tighter to stop him from moving.

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