Page 88 of Bright Soul

Iwoke feeling more loved than I could imagine, drifting on the safety of my mate’s feelings through a rough return to wakefulness. My skin ached like I’d been sandpapered top to bottom, and I couldn’t lift my head from where it rested under Phaeron’s chin. The pain radiated from my shoulder like a pinched nerve.

Well, as he’d explained, we’d just swapped a tiny piece of our souls to create a permanent bond between us. Maybe this was a taste of what it’d feel like if he’d really taken a bite out of my soul as he’d craved until very recently. His brother had given him a very important gift: a true chance at his new life, not impaired by soul hunger.

Phaeron was out cold underneath me, his breathing evening out to the slow and steady of deep sleep. At some point, my memories must’ve transitioned straight to dreamland for him. I couldn’t really blame him. Compared to the pieces of his life I’d seen, mine must’ve been brief and mundane.

No one could really rival an immortal prince from another planet for interesting life experiences.

Knowing he needed rest pretty badly, I moved off his broad chest carefully. I’d been out long enough that my legs were regaining their feeling, though I stumbled upon putting my full weight on them. I tucked a layer of covers around him and took slow, measured steps toward the gifts he’d gathered overnight.

He’d known to raid a beauty store, and I could’ve wept when I saw moisturizers and makeup again, especially the expensive brand names I wasn’t able to afford. But I put it all aside, shifting through bags of nice clothes and a box full of bottles and what could be random odds and ends.

For Braza’s gargoyle form.I simply knew about it now and would help him do what it took to give her a new body.

He’d taken several different models of new phones and accessories. I fished out the one with the newest hardware and a sparkly case, setting them aside to set up soon. Ben and Geo were going to be overjoyed when they got new devices too,andthey’d stop taking mine! Win-win.

Lying flat at the bottom of all this stuff was what I was looking for. “My precious,” I murmured, pulling out a new, quality sketchbook and a premier pack of colored pencils. I thumbed through the blank pages and opened the pack as quietly as possible, stealing a few glances at Phaeron’s sleeping form to ensure I hadn’t woken him.

I ran my fingers over the rainbow of pencils I’d freed and smiled to myself. It wasn’t much, but I could give him something back. I gathered up the art supplies and laid a loose blanket over my naked body before propping the sketchpad on my legs and getting to work. I scribbled away with my tongue caught between my teeth, recreating something from Phaeron’s memories before it faded and smudged like many of Braza’s recollections had.

With him sleeping away, I had a chance to take my time. I hadn’t drawn a portrait like this in a while, but I was a womanpossessed. It took full form, and I was rubbing a cramp from my hand when Phaeron finally stirred.

The phantom sensation of panic gripped my chest as he shot up, looking around. When his gaze found where I’d set up, he tilted his head. I realized I was feeling his emotions, in this case his confusion. “I didn’t want to wake you. You needed to sleep,” I said.

“Silly female.” He sounded groggy. He rubbed his face, glancing down at his clawed hand and flexing it. “All I need is you.”

My heart fluttered. I quickly placed the pencils back into their slots and flipped the sketchbook closed, taking it with me. As soon as the blanket fell, the rising burn of his lust kindled across our mating bond, and I felt my sex aching for him in response. I placed the sketchbook on the bedside table and let him pull me back into bed, though he cupped my stiff neck so we didn’t jostle the place he’d bitten me.

When we lay face-to-face, he swept my hair back to look at the wound and blew cool air over it. “My mark is developing well,” he said, proud. I realized I hadn’t taken a moment to look into a mirror at it, and he responded like he knew my thoughts. “You can inspect it later, once it’s set.”

“How…” I drifted off when I realized that was the wrong question to ask. This was magic from his world, undoubtedly stronger on his end of things. “This is intense, huh?”

He nodded. “It will fade some with time. But I will always know your needs so I can fulfill them.” He stroked his thumb over the curve of my cheek, and I felt him admiring me. I could only mirror him, appreciating seeing him at ease. He really was handsome in a striking way, different yet familiar. Still a man despite every extraordinary circumstance.

“What did my soul memories show you?” I asked.

“A true understanding of who you are.” He held me to his chest when he felt how that answer made me nervous for what, exactly, he’d seen. He spoke tenderly in my ear. “Relax, bright soul. I should be the fearful one, with how many terrible decisions I have had to make and live with. First, I need you to understand that I am not ‘more important’ than you in any way. I am a prince of nothing and wish I never had the title since I’ve seen it has intimidated you. We are equals. Okay?”

“Okay,” I answered. He rewarded me with a kiss.

“To put your mind at ease, I saw your early childhood and the abusive rages of a man your mother made the decision to leave. May I kill him?”

“What?” I practically yelped.

“I didn’t think you’d agree to that,” he said, sounding a little disappointed. “You survived growing up with very little, doing your best with what you had, and took a job early to support your mother and sister. Discovering that you’re a witch was a twist of good fortune until it came with the baggage of political plots and assassins. One of your biggest regrets is misjudging me and my intentions at first.”

That was an understatement. He kissed the apology off my mouth before I could say it, as I’d started to do with him. “I could have stayed and done a better job convincing you of the circumstances,” he murmured.

“But you were depressed,” I added.

I reached out and brushed my fingertips over his cheek. He closed his eyes with a sigh, tilting his face for more. All this time, he’d been waiting for me to reciprocate those tender touches.

“Incredibly. Yet I found it within myself to go on,” he said.

“I’m glad.”

He breathed a soft sigh. “Me too.”

“I saw you talking about it with David. Did you ever find out what a fortune cookie is?”

---