Page 158 of A Soul to Steal

Then, he laid down, but forced himself to remain awake.

As soon as Aleron laid down behind him, with his back to his, Gideon immediately got to his feet. Without speaking a word, and ignoring how Aleron flinched and receded into himself, Gideon walked around him. Then he knelt in front of the Duskwalker, lifted his heavy arm, and laid down so they were torso to torso.

Just to make certain Aleron knew it was okay, Gideon draped the Duskwalker’s arm over his body himself, while placing his head on Aleron’s firm biceps as a pillow.

The embrace felt forced.Come on...He clenched his eyes shut tight at the stillness that greeted him.

Aleron held tension for a long while, even when he tightened his hold on Gideon to bring him closer. Even though it was only his forehead pressing against his furry chest, Gideon could feel and hear how frantic Aleron’s heart was by the proximity and their new position.

I hope that’s in excitement and not apprehension.

His own seemed to match it, but it settled as Aleron’s heat bled into his body. He closed his eyes when the Duskwalker curled around him even more, growing more confident as the seconds passed.

“This is nice,” Gideon stated, verbally letting Aleron know of his approval. However, he shoved his hand under the arm on top of him so he could pat Aleron’s back. “But can you bring your wing forward? My back is freezing.”

The snow had melted, which meant a layer of frost now coated everything. The wind, although light, was chillier and wetter than usual.

“I do not wish to suffocate you.”

Gideon winced at that. He patted Aleron’s back hard, slapping him. “Give me the damn wing, Aleron, or I’ll bite your chest.”

Aleron let out a deep, rumbling groan and almost seemed to...thrustagainst him. “No,” he rasped hoarsely. “Do not do that.”

Aleron threw his wing forward and draped it over his body, leaving his head free. Gideon appreciated it, since he’d gotten what he wanted, but now... he couldn’t think about anything but the way he’d reacted.

With his eyes open wide and his teeth nipping at the inside of his cheek, he thought,Does... he like being bitten?The biggest and most mischievous grin Gideon had ever produced curled his lips until it bared his teeth.That’s handy to know.

Not even the wariness that the Duskwalker might bite back could temper his excitement of what that meant.

I guess it’s time for me to grow fangs.

Aleron noticed his human seemed cheerier than normal when he woke. He also had more colour in his skin, and the dark smudges under his eyes had started to fade. Considering how much Gideon had snored with his face squished against Aleron’s chest, and how lax his body had grown, Aleron wondered if he’d properly rested.

With his injured hand holding Gideon’s back as he slept, he’d reached between his horns to gently take his bride’s soul from between them. When he’d opened his fist, he hadn’t expected it to be so bright and beautiful, with not a single bit of charcoal to be seen.

Aleron didn’t know why he fisted it and hugged Gideon closer with his orbs flaring bright pink. Perhaps the relief of knowing it now flickered the way it was supposed to overwhelmed him, or maybe it was even in hope.

He put it back where it belonged, and wrapped his arms completely around the soul’s owner.

Somehow, in the back of his mind, he knew the desire to anxiously check it would wane from then on. He’d only look at it because he wanted to marvel at his bride’s soul, knowing itbelonged to him, was his to cherish.

Sleep came peacefully to him as well, even if they weren’t resting as closely as he wished them to. He wanted to bring both his wings around Gideon protectively, but would be satisfied if this was all he could do. A single wing, loosely keeping out the world but allowing his head freedom.

That mild contentment radiated through him for the duration of the next morning, aided by Gideon’s increased mood. He couldn’t quite put his finger on the difference, since they spoke little and did nothing more than usual.

Aleron pondered on if it was due to the warmth in Gideon’s eyes, or how his lips weren’t so hard pressed. It may be because his bride had subtly turned to him as he flew, pressing against his torso rather than away from it. On the odd occasion, Gideon even turned the other way – a movement that required trust – so he could search the ground with Aleron.

Although he doubted Ingram would have taken Emerie within the border of the southlands, Aleron chose to check it thoroughly.

Minimal clouds allowed for the sun to wash over them. His human seemed to appreciate it, and he enjoyed the way the male’s eyes closed as he lifted his face to bask in its light.

They passed a few towns, landing in each only long enough for Gideon to quickly run inside and ask about Emerie, but not a single person he approached seemed to have seen her. Aleron liked that he now knew what Ashpine City looked like, as Gideon had often spoken of it and its greatlibrary.

They also passed over a small bandit encampment, which had spikes protecting them – not that it would truly do much if multiple Demons chose to attack.

Eventually, they found themselves near the only set of mountains on the southwestern side. Just as they circled overthem briefly and started to fly north, Gideon nearly fell out of his arms.

“Wait. Wait!” Gideon pointed at something; it was the only spot where snow didn’t cling to the ground. “I think I know of that place. Could we go down there?”

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