Page 97 of A Soul to Steal

“There’s no need. I want to go with you, I really do. I promise.” Gideon bent forward so he could land a kiss against the end of his fanged snout. “Let’s go find Emerie and Ingram together.”

Then they could all be together as one big family. Just the thought had his whole being swelling in anticipation.

Emerie meant the world to him as much as Ingram did for Aleron. The fact he could share his new life with his little sister sounded perfect. It would have been missing a large and important Emerie-sized chunk otherwise.

After they shared a long and much needed hug, they both stood and faced Weldir.

Aleron grabbed Gideon’s hand tightly, almost crushing it. He tried to do it back.

Just as Weldir was attaching the gold-dusted skull to his soul, Aleron asked, “Gideon will be fine, right? He will not forget everything?”

“No,” Weldir answered. “I watched over Emerie and Ingram when they reunited, and she managed to retain her memories of Tenebris. I would not be allowing this otherwise, as Mavka and bride are spiritually inseparable once bonded.”

Reassured, Aleron shoved the head of his spirit into the skull, and it moulded to him, bending and changing to be exactly the same. The entire time, they held hands until it completed, andthey could no longer touch. The space Aleron took up felt empty, considering he’d turned into a pink spectre of himself.

“You look like a real Ghost now,” Aleron stated, tilting his head. “You are white and transparent.”

Gideon threw his hands up with crooked fingers and shouted, “Boo!”

He just needed to make light of the situation. All of a sudden, nervousness swirled in his stomach. It felt like a piss-poor wedding, and he was about to be married for life. Did any couple not feel nervous on their wedding day, despite their unwavering resolve?

“Are you alright, darling?” Gideon asked anxiously, wanting to make sure Aleron was okay.

“I will be once you aremine,” he growled back, possessive playfulness evident within it.

An odd shiver ran down his spine.

That proclamation had been rather primal, and managed to ease Gideon in a singular mental caress. He hoped to get plenty more of that, andsoon.

Everything will feel stronger on Earth.

Gideon couldn’t believe he was going back. He’d never dared to hope for it.

Bouncing from one taloned foot to the other, Aleron impatiently shifted his weight.

Although it had been a long time since he’d felt the true coolness of the wind, and took in the scents as they tangled and fluttered on it, he didn’t go sniffing like he may once have. As much as he wanted to rub his neck against the closest tree to feel its rough bark, and maybe even lick at the sap to taste it, he remained where he stood on two legs.

The bright sun cascaded gentle warmth across his shoulders, dawn not long ago risen. It was real, and he often lifted his blackened sight to it to soak it in. The leaves were brown, yellow, red, and green, while many branches were barren. When he’d died, overrun by a horde of Demons that crawled over him like a violent flood, he knew it’d been early autumn.

Now, winter was nearly upon them. Frost attempted to melt, wafting the smell of dew and wet earth into the air.

He darted his skull in the direction he heard a tree snap, excitement wanting to burst his heart.

Weldir said Ingram is nearby.

He wanted to go to him. He wanted torunto him. Hewanted to find his scent on the wind, chase it down, and tackle his kindred to the ground so he could rub his skull against his scales. He wanted, more than anything, to surround Ingram in his wings where he should have been all along.

Instead of doing so, his bright-yellow sight drifted across the dirt, sticks, and decaying leaf litter in search of a Ghost.

Where are you, Gideon?It’d been an hour since Aleron first appeared in this spot, and he remained there, waiting for his precious bride.

As much as he yearned to hunt his kindred, Weldir warned him that his human may not be prepared for it. He would be naked, unsure of his surroundings, and may need a few moments to adjust. Apparently humans were uncomfortable being unclothed in front of others, especially the opposite sex.

Even though he had to wait to see Ingram a little longer, he’d rather his bride be content before being introduced to his kindred again and reuniting with his sister.

He’d already waited months, so a few hours couldn’t hurt.

Bright pink exploded in his sight.He said he was falling in love with me.That meant he loved him... right? Or felt strongly towards him?

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