Page 4 of Undesirable
“Don’t do that again.”
Frost paced away, breathing heavily. Riku heard Frost’s mate, mentally panicking and begging Frost to tell him he was okay and what was wrong. No doubt he had felt everythingFrost had. Frost tried reassuring him. He squared his shoulders and went back to helping Yuri. Frost wouldn’t look at him. His mind closed to Riku in a way no one had ever accomplished. The move shocked him enough to let him think clearly for a moment. Frost was way more powerful than Riku had realized. Celeste obviously hadn’t told him everything about the healer. His confusion doubled as his touch healed the majority of the magical burns in a way even Riku hadn’t been able to do. Unfortunately, not all of Yuri’s fur regrew.
He felt Yuri go limp with relief.
Frost gave a sharp nod and headed for the door without looking back. The odd interaction cut through Riku’s pain in a way he couldn’t explain. It was almostas if Frost was angry with him. That gave him something else to focus on. It gave him the tiniest reason to survive. He clung to the mystery with every ounce he had left. Riku had to hang on to something. Otherwise, he had no idea what he would do. There were hotter fires he could make.
Frost waited until he made it halfway down the mountain before pullingto the side of the road. He climbed from his SUV and took a deep breath. While he had no idea if Lucifer heard, he called to him. He didn’t expect him to show. Lucifer was at no one’s beck and call. He might do anything. Hell, Frost was probably insane for thinking Lucifer would even hear him.
Lucifer appeared. His eyes were terrifying. Everything about him was an alarm blaring. He was an injured and feral animal.
Frost closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around him. Riku’s pain had nothing on Lucifer’s. Frost thought he might die. His sanity felt ripped to shreds. He closed his mind to his mate to save him from this. It took a moment, but Lucifer’s armsclosed around him. They shared an odd sort of bond. Lucifer had appeared in his life shortly after Frost had come to town. For whatever reason, Frost felt a kinship. He saw something good in him. Lucifer’s rage was the mask of pain. It saved him. The anger was all he had.
“He wouldn’t…”
Frost nodded against Lucifer’s wide chest. “I saw.”
“This is a goodbye.”
Frost nodded again. “I know.”
“Things here are too…”
“I know,” Frost repeated. Things were beyond complicated when it came to Lucifer. He had been tortured for toolong. Lucifer was beyond saving. While he had moments of lucidity where he was in control, that wasn’t always true. The longer he stayed here, the more danger the world was in. He might do anything and not even recall what he had done. Most of his mind was gone. Riku had filled in the blank spots, shoring him up, but now that was gone. He had been rejected and there was so much hurt and anger on top of what he had already endured. Frost felt it, even though he also felt Lucifer trying to temper it and save Frost.
Frost took a step back. He swiped at the tears that fell he couldn’t control. “I’m here. If you need me, just come to me.”
A sad smile touched the features of what had to be the most beautifulcreature created. That was why he was tortured. One reason, anyhow. The reason that had started it all. Very few beings knew that, and Frost only knew because Lucifer let him see it. The story had been purposely spread of him being jealous of the world and being cast out. It was the very first smear campaign in the universe’s existence. The truth was so much worse. So much darker.
A sad smile came and went again. “I really should sue over that fucking bible.”
A watery laugh burst from Frost. Even in his pain, Lucifer tried to lessen his impact on Frost by hiding behind humor.
“You’re an idiot to cryfor me.”
“Maybe.”
Lucifer tried for a genuine smile. “Don’t hate him. I would’ve rejected me too.”
“Sorry. I can’t help it right now. You’re his mate. There’s nothing that would stop me from being with mine. No fear is that big and no act too violent. He’s mine. I can’t relate to Riku’s decision.”
Lucifer kissed his cheek. “Go home to your mate. Forget about me. This is just the new way they found to torment me. I don’t want you pulled into the game. If they think they can use you to hurt me, they will. Don’t think of me again.”
He vanished, leaving Frost feeling cold. His gaze moved up the mountain. He could still see the orange glow of the fire that raged outside Riku’s place. There was no way Riku didn’t know all the same things Frost did about Lucifer. Yethe still wouldn’t accept him. He understood it was complicated. Frost got it would likely be hard, but he had been chosen to be with Lucifer. It enraged him to think about anyone rejecting their mate. That was a hell no one deserved, most especially a man who already literally lived in Hell. Frost had never felt more helpless in his life.
Please stop shutting me out. You’re scaring me.
Frost startled as Gemini’s words caressed his mind. He had been so overwhelmed by pain he had lost himself.
It’s okay, baby. I’m okay. I love you.Goddess, he loved Gemini so much. He was good and pure. The longer Frost spent among thesupernatural community, the more he realized how rare that goodness was.
I love you more. Do I need to come get you?
A smile tugged at Frost’s lips as he climbed inside his SUV.No, baby. I’m on my way. Will you hold me when I get home?
Always. I’ve got what you need.
Frost knew he did. He couldn’t be more thankful.
