Page 70 of City of Love

Gideon pulled away just as Margot shot and Spencer returned fire. The bullets had hardly left the barrels before Gideon released his power and tossed Spencer high into a brick wall where he slammed hard before sliding back to the ground. He landed on his back with a grotesque broken neck and a bright red spot blooming across his peasant shirt.

Lexi had no idea if Margot had a lucky shot or if her skill with weapons was yet another thing she’d kept secret, but she’d hit her mark straight in the heart. He’d likely been dead even before his poor fatigued brain hit the side of the mews.

The cacophony from people shouting, and the horses’ neighing and hooves stomping, became a muted backdrop to the ringing in her ears from the gunshots. Through the muffled noise she raced forward and into Gideon’s arms. Burying her face in his shoulder, she exhaled relief, then inhaled the earthy sage scent of him she’d been missing so much.

People scurried around her peripheral vision. She didn’t care, didn’t want to move ever again. But she lifted her head as the sound of Matthew calling her name crept into her bliss, demanding attention.

She peeked around Gideon’s shoulder toward Matthew’s voice. He knelt over Margot as she lay on the dusty ground. Spencer’s one shot had also found its mark, and Margot had a matching crimson bloom, hers spreading across her stomach.

Margot reached an arm toward Lexi, and Lexi went to her, her steps slow and unsure as she knelt by her friend. Now a stranger. A betrayer.

And a savior.

Margot opened her mouth and blood trickled out. She made a gurgling sound as she spoke. “I’m sorry. I’m… sorr…”

Across from Matthew, who knelt on Margot’s other side, Lexi took Margot’s hand. “Just an hour ago you told me to never put myself in harm’s way for a man. Now look at you, silly girl,” she said with the barest twitch of a smile, “you just went and put yourself in harm’s way for several men, and three women besides.”

Margot managed her own smile, grotesque with the blood smeared across her perfect teeth. “I was wrong, Lex. It’s worth it. Love is worth everything. I feel… I feel better now, you know? I’m not scared for the first time in my life.”

Lexi squeezed her eyes shut, but the tears pushed past her lids anyway. When she opened them again and wiped at the water, she looked up at Matthew who was doing the same. He reached a hand to wipe a strand of hair off Margot’s forehead and Margot turned and studied him, a serene expression on her face, before closing her eyes.

A shot of panic swept through her. “Margot?”

Her friend opened her eyes again, looking back at her with an expression of perfect clarity. “Go to Gideon, babydoll. Do the transition. Whatever happens, you have to try.”

Lexi chanced a glance at Catherine Moss, who stood watching the scene, fresh tears marking her own cheeks. She nodded at Lexi, granting her invitation to stay in their world.

With failing strength, Margot squeezed Lexi’s hand. “Gideon. He’s,” she coughed, a few bits of red scattering on her cheek, “he’s your most important thing. The risk is worth it. The risk is love. Promise me you’ll try, Lex. Promise me.”

Lexi couldn’t speak, but she nodded.

Then Margot turned her head to Matthew and held his gaze as she passed.

Gideon knelt by the hearth in his bedroom, preparing the logs and kindling to start a blaze. Though a warm afternoon in late September, Lexi stood against a bedpost, arms wrapped around herself shivering. Definitely not from the temperature.

They’d come back to his home after leaving the stables. Alana and Vik promised to deal with Spencer and Margot’s bodies, everyone having decided it was best to take care of it in their world. Matthew returned home, a mess of a man. Then Lexi and Gideon bathed at his home, as her clothes were dirty and bloodied, and she now stood dressed in a pair of his pants and a white t-shirt, which hung baggy on her, creating the illusion of vulnerability.

Though her actions today had proven she was anything but vulnerable.

He lit the fire with a push of his hands and went to her. He ran his palms down her arms, and God did it feel good to be touching her. “You saved me again, sweetheart. I’ve got to stop asking it of you.”

She gave him a soft smile and melted into his arms. Still shivering, she spoke into his chest. “What do we do with Margot’s body?” She tilted her head up to him, and his soul dove straight into those sad cornflower blue eyes. “I mean, will you bury her? Will we have a… a service?”

He stroked her back. “Whatever you want, love.”

She pulled back and began to pace. “I don’t even know what to think, what to feel. Three hours ago, she was my best friend. Two hours ago, she was the worst kind of traitor. One hour ago, she laid down her life for me. She laid down her life for us.” She spun back toward him. Her lips pressed tight, but her eyes grew wet. “God, Gideon, I won’t ever have the chance to confront her about what she did. To hate her for it. To forgive her and love her for her final acts. What do I do with that?”

He took her hand and walked to the edge of his bed. He sat down and pulled her to stand in front of him, his hands on her hips. “You do all those things anyway. You sort through those feelings one at a time, in your own time. You rant and rave and write her letters. She’ll hear you. Or not. But you’ll deal with it all as if she were right here. And in time, you’ll find your healing balance.”

Lexi settled down in his lap, cupping his face and studying him. “Thank you.”

She slipped her arms around his neck, pressing her cheek to his, and after a moment her body relaxed. She found his lips with her own, parting for him, seeking his tongue. Heaven in her mouth, in her arms. God, he’d missed her. Missed her taste, her scent, her sweet little moans. Most of all he’d missed the calm she gave him, the laughter she brought him, the goddamn colors of life again. He slipped his hands through her hair, tilting her head and deepening the kiss. Maybe he’d never have to miss her again. Maybe Margot’s final words would…

He pulled back, catching his breath and staring into those eyes that so filled up his life.

And that was the thing. Life. Glorious, wonderful life.

“Sweetheart, about what Margot said, the promise she asked of you.” Those round sapphires remained relaxed at his words, lips parted. No anxiety. “I’m glad you didn’t make the promise.”

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