Page 138 of His Darkest Desire

Love.

It was there, plain for him to see. To feel.

And then she smiled, stepped out of the leaf vortex, and took his hand. “Join us, Vex.”

Vex pulled her against him. Kinsley’s eyes flared, and her smile widened as she settled a hand on his shoulder. Placing a hand upon her lower back, he twirled her across the forest floor. Wind whipped around them, carrying streams of vibrant leaves in swirling paths that filled the air with color as he danced with his mate through shafts of illusionary sunlight. All the while, he kept his eyes on hers, watching them sparkle with joy. All the while, his heart swelled in his chest.

The wisps flew around them, laughing and fluttering Vex and Kinsley’s hair, and she laughed along with them before they flew off into the trees.

Kinsley watched the wisps until they were no longer in sight. “They’re happy.”

“They are,” Vex said.

Kinsley looked up at him. “And so are you.”

“I am.” He slowed to a stop. Falling leaves pattered on the forest floor around them. “What of you, my moonlight?” Releasing her hand, he ran the backs of his fingers down her soft cheek. “Are you happy?”

She cradled his jaw between her hands, rose on her toes, and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life.” She stroked his cheeks with her thumbs. “I love you.”

Leaning his forehead against Kinsley’s, Vex closed his eyes and held her. “And I love you.”

He knew not how long they stood there, nor did he care. He would’ve happily remained like that forever without sparing a thought for aught else.

But a distant sound broke through the tranquility of their embrace, an out-of-place sound that had haunted him too many times during his long imprisonment.

The sound of voices from another world.

His ears twitched. Opening his eyes, he raised his head and listened. As always, the voices were muffled, as though heard underwater. They were calling out, their words indecipherable but somehow chillingly familiar.

Kinsley lowered her hands to his shoulders. “What is it?”

The wisps returned, their ghostfire flickering unsteadily, and hovered nearby.

“What’s wrong?” Kinsley asked, brow creased.

The voices called again, closer but no clearer.

Her eyes widened as she took a step away from Vex. “Are those…people?”

He nodded. “In your world.”

“Shall these ones cross, magus?” Shade asked.

“Yes, but tarry not. I’d not have you drain yourselves unnecessarily.”

The wisps bowed their heads. Their forms shimmered, rippled, and finally faded to nothing, leaving only empty air behind. Though they’d safely returned from that crossing many times over the years, Vex could not help his worry—and he could not shake the vague sense of emptiness that emerged in the wisps’ absence.

Those voices sounded again, even closer still.

Kinsley’s breath caught, and she walked in the direction of the voices. “Vex… That sounds like…”

The wisps reappeared, their ghostfire frantic.

“Three mortals, magus,” Flare said hurriedly. “Two females and a male.”

“They are calling for Kinsley,” said Echo.

“What?” Kinsley spun toward the wisps. “W-What do they look like?”

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