Page 229 of A Soul to Steal

The cave behind them was shallow but comfortable.

Since Duskwalkers could heal in a day, including their claws, they planned to dig it out further. It wouldn’t take long, with Ingram and Aleron working fast together, while they, as the humans, would help by scooping out the smaller chunks of rock they broke away.

They’d work as a tightly knit team, and Gideon figured that would continue for their rest of their unending lives.

Just as he was admiring his grand idea, Ingram let out a beastly roar, causing them both to startle in surprise.

Digging his claws into the earth, he tore up grass as he was dragged across the clearing. Gideon couldn’t hear it, but he knew Aleron would be snickering as he used his taloned feet to hold onto his twin’s leg and tail. He was trying to fly off with him, and Ingram wasn’t having it.

Ingram grabbed the edge of a rock ledge and kicked his free foot to battle his twin.

Emerie tipped her head down, going out of her way to avoid watching Aleron fly. Gideon noted the paleness in her cheeks, but he couldn’t help laughing at them playing.

“It’s not fair that he can do that,” Emerie muttered. “Aleron has an advantage over him.”

“What do you mean?!” Gideon asked in mock outrage, throwing his hands forward. “I’ve seen Ingram beat the shit out of Aleron with his tail and trap his wings to him. It’s all about who can one-up the other before they use their advantages.”

A small laugh escaped her. “Yeah, that’s true.”

Aleron made the mistake of landing so he could unlatch Ingram’s hands. He was instantly tackled, and they rolled across the clearing until disappearing into the forest. Destruction would likely occur in their wake, especially since he could hear trees rustling from a distance.

He wasn’t used to seeing Aleron in his monstrous form regularly, but he was quickly adjusting, since it happened more often with Ingram around. It still startled him when he saw Aleron walking on elongated arms with his back curled like a four-legged animal, but he found he actually didn’t mind it.

Just another new facet of him to fall in love with.

He liked watching Aleron be completely free as he played with his twin. When he got to know Ingram a little better, Gideon planned to see if he could find a way to insert himself into their wrestles. Especially since he enjoyed doing so with Aleron, although that tended to lead to other, more nefarious and erotic playfulness.

I’m glad everyone likes it here.Gideon lifted his gaze to the pink dome surrounding them.

For the next ten years, this hot spring would keep away the snow and chill during winter, and Aleron’s magic would stop the Demons from tainting it. Perhaps they’d find a new place afterwards to temporarily call home, or they might settle down permanently within Ingram’s ward in the middle of the Veil.

They may even eventually place their wards side by side with each other. Who knew?

Whatever makes them happy.

That thought stiffened his features, and he drifted his gaze to the corner of his eyes. He fidgeted nervously.

“Em, there’s something I want to tell you.” Leaning forward, he clasped his hands together and rested them between his spread knees, staring down at them.

“Oh, boy. Here we go,” she teased, unprepared for the seriousness of what he was about to deliver.

“I want to tell Aleron about Beau. I want to do so before he remembers I had another pair of rings.” He flicked his gaze to her briefly, without moving his head, and took in her furrowed brows. “I don’t want him putting that together on his own.”

He didn’t want Aleron coming to his own conclusions, and then have to deal with the jealous or agonising emotions that may arise with them. He’d rather get it out of the way so he could reassure him. He wanted to explain that Beau no longer mattered – nor was he settling for Aleron because he had to.

If Gideon really didn’t want to be here, or found Aleron so distasteful, he really would have sought a way to break their bond. He wouldn’t have cared if it killed him, since he’d already died once and his life was over.

Everything was gone: his home, his friends, his old lover.

No. Instead, he had chosen this life, and he was happier with it than the one he’d been living before. He was overjoyed by it.

“Then tell him?”

“I can’t. I love him, I really do, but I know his humanity is low.” He clenched his teeth, causing a jaw muscle to pulse before he quietly said, “He knows it, too.”

He spared her a glance, and her lips tightened knowingly. She didn’t deny it; it was too obvious. It also meant she knew she couldn’t convince him otherwise.

“He won’t admit it, but I know Ingram having more intelligence bothers him. He feels behind, and doesn’t like being lost in conversations his own twin can keep up with. It hurts me to see him recede into himself when it happens.”

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