Page 77 of Beyond the Storm
I could explain their purpose but not the reason why it felt so incredible when he touched them. I was still trying to understand that for myself.
“Feathers,” he then added, pulling back to peer down at me. “I felt feathers beneath my fingertips.”
“My wings.”
I saw his mind working. “You are like Lazarus?”
Seeing Lazarus fly had helped him reach that conclusion. Otherwise, the notion of a man having wings would’ve been too much for him to imagine.
“Yes,” I answered. “He is an angel.”
“An angel?”
I nodded. “Angels are celestial beings of immense power. And I am the son of one. Called a Nephilim.”
“Nephilim,” he repeated, as if testing the sound of the name on his lips. “I do not know these words.” His hand slid to my jaw. Even in darkness, I saw the warmth in his brown eyes. “But I trust you.”
“Foolish Spartan,” I said, throat tight. “How can you trust someone you barely know?”
“Idoknow you, Kallias.” Elasus dropped a kiss to my jaw, then skimmed his lips over to my ear. “When I’m with you, my soul is at ease, and I see a world of possibilities. You make me crave a different life, one where I never leave your side. Whether it be in battle or beneath the stars like we are now, I wish to never know another day when you’re not with me. If those feelings make me foolish, so be it. Let me be a fool in love.”
“Love?” My heart lifted into my throat.
“I’ve heard love makes you weak,” Elasus said, shifting his body to where he lay facing me. He trailed a finger down my sternum, then down farther to one of my pectoral muscles. “But seeing you beside me like this, beautiful and sated, I do not feel weak. I feel as though I could destroy any enemy who crossed my path.”
“Having a fated mate by your side will strengthen your determination to fight,”Lazarus had said.
It seemed I wasn’t the only one that applied to. Elasus felt just as strongly. But was it strong enough for him to abandon Sparta to be with me? Retrieving Elasus and returning to my brothers with him was an order, yet I wouldn’t force his hand. If he chose to stay, I would accept whatever punishment Lazarus gave me for failing. Yet, no punishment would be worse than leaving Elasus behind.
“What are you thinking of?” he asked.
“You.” Of a life with him I wished for more than anything.
“My thoughts are on you as well.” With a smile at the corner of his lips, Elasus watched the path of his hand as it continued down my body. His fingers brushed across my navel and trailed to my hip bone. His eyes then lifted to meet mine. “Will you show me your wings?”
Revealing more of myself to him worried me. What if it became too much for him to accept?
“This frightens you,” he whispered. “Why?”
“I fear you will think me an abomination and turn your back on me,” I confessed as I sat up. “Knowing I am not mortal is different than seeing it with your own eyes.”
Elasus sat up, too, and rested his cheek on my shoulder. “Have you heard nothing I said? I could never turn my back on you. We are bound by fate.”
“Yes, but—”
“Hear my words.” He kissed the top of my arm. “You are beautiful, Kallias. Even if you have wings like a bird.”
I chuckled under my breath. “I suppose I am like a raven. My wings aren’t pure and white like you witnessed with Lazarus. Mine are darkened with the curse that runs through my veins.”
“I find ravens to be extraordinary creatures.” He smiled as I looked at him. “Shall I beg?”
Melancholy softly sighed. My sin adored the male in front of me. As did I.
“No begging necessary. I…” I breathed in deeply before expelling it. “I’ll show you.”
Elasus sat back and waited. His curiosity was endearing. I had to draw in several more breaths before finally finding the courage to do it. After moving to my knees, I unfurled my wings, putting myself on full display in front of him. The feathers were as black as night and shimmered beneath the silver moonlight.
“Kallias…” He stared in awe and reached for my wings but lowered his hand before making contact.
