Page 84 of A Soul to Steal

Aleron nodded, even though an array of emotions swelled in his gut. He would have liked to see Merikh and Raewyn again, especially since it was unlikely he would get the chance to for a long time, if ever. Apparently a portal would be needed, and with the Demon scourge in both worlds, it would be difficult to bridge their realms.

Yet, as he directed his skull to Gideon, he didn’t mind.

The sooner they left here, the more at ease he’d feel regarding his companion. The Gilded Maiden’s ‘test’ still unnerved him. He’d jump into any lava she demanded, so long as Gideon was safe and would return to his side.

I also wish to be alone with him again.All these people and gods kept getting in his way.

They’d touched in that secretive cave, and he wanted to know what would have happened had they not been interrupted. After their time in the Elven worlds, his craving to be closer to this male, Aleron’s affections for him, had grown.

His anticipation of touching someone who had tried to protect him, defend him with such a fragile and small body, only made him want to worship every inch. To lick Gideon’s mouth when he knew it could be rather temperamental and fiery elevated his desire to do it.

Just the thought made a thrill shoot down his spine and tighten his flesh.

Aleron opened his hand slightly so he could inspect the crown shard. Should he thank her? This isn’t what Weldir had asked for, not that he knew what he truly desired.

Before he could even speak, the invisible barrier keeping the Evergreen Servant disappeared. He ran forward, but not quick enough to catch the Gilded Maiden as her legs gave out and she fell to the side.

Red glowed from the skin beneath his scales, and scarlet leafy vines shot out from the water. The veins caught her, slowing her fall, so he could slide across the water on his knees and dip beneath her. She landed in the cradle of his arms.

She said nothing, eyelids heavy and gaze fading. He turned his back to them as he stood, his naked shoulders rigid.

“Weldir better be thankful for this,” he stated coldly, his voice rough. “This is her way of making up for everything, but it should have come when she truly had strength.”

He cast them a glance over his shoulders, yellow eyes hostile and unforgiving. Then they softened when she placed a hand on his cheek. He lowered his head as he walked towards the stairs leading to the crystal.

Beside him, Gideon began to fade. Aleron darted his gaze down to his own hands, finding they were turning transparent as well.

A spike of anxiety struck him, and Aleron quickly reached out. It settled when he grabbed Gideon’s arm, hoping that meant he couldn’t lose him.

Then everything disappeared.

Darting his gaze around the new environment they were transported to, Aleron took in its familiarity.

Like they’d never left, the clearing in front of the cave of Weldir’s secretive tunnels hadn’t changed. The rest of the mountain cast a shadow over them from the bright, false sun, which sat in the same place it always did. The unusual wind that lacked coolness and any scents fluttered his fur and feathers, while brushing Gideon’s light-brown hair.

They had returned to Tenebris in the spot they’d left it.

His grip on Gideon’s arm loosened, no longer constrictive now that they were safe. That shard of anxiety, although cruel and panicked, dissipated to its normal soft thrum.

“Guess we’re back,” Gideon stated, shining a warm and welcoming smile, seemingly relieved to have returned to the afterworld.

His wings twitched, delighted by the contentment of the little human at his side.

Before Aleron could respond, the warm, buzzing shard of metal in his hand was yanked forcibly from his grasp. It floated towards Weldir, who had transported in moments after them.

His form remained a chalky and misty texture, the outline of his body muddled by the cloud that shrouded him. Staring down at the crown shard, Weldir cupped the end of his chin, which made it difficult to see the rest of his face. It blurred from the disturbance.

“This is far more than I asked for,” Weldir mumbled quietly, before lifting his face to them. “I doubt you understand the significance of this.”

“The Evergreen Servant said you should be thankful,” Aleron said, repeating what had been stated to him.

“I am, very much so,” he answered pensively. “I am also thankful towards you, little one, for obtaining it on my behalf. I have no doubt he was rather angry with her.” Weldir gave a small but deep chuckle. “He was always overprotective of her, that father of mine. Or rather,possiblefather.”

Weldir gripped the shard hard, clenching it, and it disappeared. He waved his fingers as his hand dropped to his side.

“I do not like her,” Aleron muttered honestly, slipping his hand around Gideon’s arm furthest from him so he could pull the male to his side. “She almost destroyed Gideon.”

Weldir’s features tightened, and his shroud sucked and clung to his body. A narrow waist became highlighted, as did a leanly muscled torso. It quickly pushed out before Aleron could note any more of his details.

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