Page 48 of Reine's Salvation

Chapter Twenty-One

Mystique’s heart began to race when she recognized the man leaning against the wall. Dark sunglasses covered his eyes, but his features were unmistakable. From the straight nose, to the high cheekbones and strong jaw. His black hair hung in loose waves below his shoulders and as she came nearer, she noticed he had trimmed his beard. He wore dark-blue jeans and a warm, slate-gray t-shirt that hugged the contours of his muscled build.

Mystique stopped a few feet away from him. He had his head tilted toward the sun, like a flower catching rays in the early morning. His thumb was hooked on his belt loop and his bandaged hand was splayed against his hip. There was no tension in his limbs.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” Reine said.

A shiver ran down her spine at the sound of his deep melodious voice.

“I went hiking,” she said.

“I can see that.” He slid his sunglasses to the top of his head and swept his gaze over her. Her skin flushed as he took in her appearance. Mystique crossed her arms over her chest. Reine grinned. Her nipples beaded beneath his scrutiny.

“You know? By doing that you just make me look at them more.”

Mystique dropped her arms. Reine burst out laughing. Goosebumps sprouted over her arms. The sound of his laughter was unexpected and full of a vivacity she had not heard before.

“Why were you waiting for me?” she asked, attempting to change the subject.

“I needed to talk to you.”

“About what?”

Reine moved toward her. Mystique remained rooted to the spot. She bit back a gasp as she noticed the bruises and cuts on his face.

“We didn’t finish our conversation from the other night.”

She shook her head. “Yeah, that monster got in the way.”

His eyebrows quirked.

She smiled. “Max came to talk to me. He explained some things.”

“Did he?” The corner of Reine’s lips lifted. “Like what?”

“Like what happened that night and why you told me to run. As well as all about the Sins and the battle between good and evil in a little more depth.” Mystique shrugged. “Oh and something about perceptionists.”

“What do you think about it?”

“I’m intrigued,” she admitted.

“It’s why you could see my wings when I removed the spell concealing them. Most humans can’t see them at all.”

“That’s what Max said too.”

“Damn kid,” Reine said. He took in a deep breath. “He’s cut my work out for me, hasn’t he?” Reine smiled. “Well, do you have any questions?”

“Only one, why have you been waiting for me?”

Reine grinned. He cupped her cheek, the touch of his bandages was rough against her skin, but she didn’t mind it. He was finally here.

“You know the answer to that question.”

“I’m a perceptionist, not a mind-reader.”

“Touché. Well, you see, the other night I started saying some pretty important things when they interrupted us. I kind of came to finish.”

Mystique searched his face. There was sincerity in his gaze and such raw emotion she began to hear the flutter of her heartbeat in her ears. Reine brushed his thumb across her lip.

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