Page 26 of A Spark in the Ash

It must all be showing on my face. Because cautiously, Jaxon takes a step forward, closing the distance between us.

He raises both of his hands to the sides of my face. He tilts my face up to look at him. "It's just a few hours," he says softly. "We have to be so careful, Serena. But I promise, after we all get some sleep, after we get some rest, I'll be back out here again. And I'll be better at this tomorrow."

I hate it, but I can't fight it. The emotions surging through me well in my eyes. They don't fall. I have just enough control left to keep them at bay.

I can see how my emotion affects Jaxon, but he doesn't say anything different. He simply tilts his face down, and gently presses a kiss to my lips.

I feel the energy in the space shift. For the first time, all of them are seeing literal proof of what Jaxon and I mean to each other. For the first time, they are seeing a darkling and ultralight share physical touch.

But I breathe in every moment of this kiss, I store it in my chest, where I can draw upon it to get through the next few hours.

Jaxon breaks the kiss and looks down at me. Taking in a deep breath, I nod.

I have to let him call the shots right now. I have to support him in whatever way he needs during this critical time. Even if it's hard. "Okay," I breathe.

We turn back toward the others. They all stand there, in stunned silence.

It's part of the plan. I told Jaxon that I didn't care what the others thought. I don't. This is my show of that. I'm not going to be ashamed. Jaxon and I, we are a package deal now.

So, neither of us offers any extra explanation. I slip my hand into Jaxon's, and together, we step around them. I walk Jaxon back to the vault. He steps inside and I wait at the entry.

"I'll see you in a few hours," he says softly. "Get some sleep."

"Okay," I say simply. I hold his eyes until the very last second, when I close the door of the vault between us. The anxiety in my throat grows heavier and thicker with every lock I put back in place.

I should go talk to them. We should work these things out. I should establish rules, I should remind them they have to trust Jaxon right now. That I will be able to handle him.

But I can't right now. I don't have the mental capacities to do all these things all at once.

So, without another word, I turn and walk down the passageway. And when I reach the end, I finally release my shadows, ripping apart into my darkling form.

I brace myself against the tunnel walls and begin my ascent.

When I reach the lightening sky above, a demonic howl of exhaustion and frustration rips from my maw.

I let it all go. My frustration. My fear. My uncertainty.

I have excellent control over my darkling form.

But that doesn’t mean it has been easy containing it when my lips were pressed to those of an ultralight.

I need this release.

I burst out into the desert, and I lose every ounce of self-control.

Chapter Ten

I crash hardwhen I return three hours later. It’s a deep sleep with no dreams, which is a relief.

When I wake up, I find Jaxon talking with Davorian.

I pause outside his office for a moment, noting the level of control Jaxon has found. He’s standing there, having a normal conversation. His knuckles aren’t split with blinding light. There isn’t any heat rising from his shoulders. He looks a little tense, but not exceptionally so.

“Good morning,” I say as I walk inside. I can’t help it; I smile as I walk up to Jaxon. I measure his reaction and when it isn’t strained, I wrap my arms around his waist, hugging myself into his side. He smiles and wraps one arm around me and presses a kiss to the top of my head.

“Morning,” he says quietly.

“Feel better?” Davorian asks as he fixes me with a serious look.

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