Page 33 of A Witch Out of Time
“Iseeyou over there, beating yourself up, and you need to stop,” Ace’s stern tone made a smile twitch my lips. “Yes, I was grieving, but I should have allowed you to help me carry it, like you were offering to do. I was so lucky to have you during that time, so incredibly lucky in general. You could have had anyone, and you chose me.” He placed a hand over his heart, before vehemently adding, “You say I’m yourGueneshem,butyouare also the light ofmyworld. Mine.”
My gaze dropped to the ground as tears welled up in my eyes. The realization that the love of my life was not leaving me, that he loved me as insanely as I did him, had rendered me speechless—never an easy feat to accomplish. Asa moved to stand directly in front of me, so close I was sure he could hear my heart beating out of my chest.
“Ace…you don’t have to…” I began, so flooded with overwhelming emotions, I didn’t know what to say.
I just want things to be better.
“No, suge,” he gently murmured, lifting my chin and kissing away an errant tear that had escaped. “Allow me to grovel. It is not always your job to fix things or to make sure everyone’s comfortable. I don’t want you to forgive me right away. I do hope you trust me when I say I will spend every day of my life making this up to you but, please, don’t forgive me. Not yet. Make me work for it a little.”
I let his words sink in a moment before deciding to test out that witchy connection by sending every shred of love I felt for him down our bond. The shocked look on his face as he registered my message reminded me so much of the first time we’d kissed that I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Very well, Acey,” I chuckled, beyond relieved to know he was still mine. “I will let you work for it. In fact, you could get started right now. Preferably on your knees.”
Ace huffed a laugh before bringing his face closer, brushing his perfect lips across mine in the softest kiss that still made me instantly hard. “Gladly,” was all he said before sinking to the ground.
Oh, fuck, that’s what I’ve been missing.
While Vasi’s mouth had felt glorious the other night, no one could suck my cock the way Ace could. I leaned back against the tree and groaned as he swallowed me down in one smooth motion, the feel of him wrapped around me the closest thing to home I’d ever found in another person. As he expertly brought me closer to the edge, I allowed myself to simply enjoy this reconnection—this absolute oneness with the man I loved.
Chapter 27
Vasilisa
We continued to travel on foot for days, although it was difficult to judge the passage of time as the sun and moon rose and set arbitrarily. The only supplies we carried were what was hastily grabbed from the Facility before we escaped, yet our every need was still met. Whenever we stopped to eat, the food and water was there waiting for us, and whenever we needed to rest, shelter appeared.
Oddly, we never saw another human, although the farmland was clearly tended by someone, and the villages we passed showed signs of life. It was as if we were only encountering what or who we needed on this journey.
Like guideposts on a quest.
Also notable was that none of us ever became tired from the endless walking. Of course, my men were in exceptionally good shape, and I had acquired supernatural stamina when I returned as Yaga. Now knowing I’d made two journeys to the underworld made me wonder why I came back unchanged the first time, when Marena aided me.
Something unusual must have happened between the last Yaga and me when I dragged her to the Nav, but the more I tried to remember, the less I could. It was as if ageashad been placed on my memories, prohibiting me from unearthing the truth. Yet again, I cursed my former mentor for hiding so much from me and then betraying me by trying to send me into the arms of death.
What purpose did she have for such treachery?
Nox’s booming laugh brought my attention back to my men as Tan continued whatever tale he was telling. “...and that fucking dancing light that led us to the tattoo parlor we could never find again? Now, that was a weekend to remember. Or,notremember, rather.”
“What are you talking about?” I interrupted, confused by almost all I’d overheard.
Asa softly chuckled, slinging an arm around my shoulders to pull me closer. “We’re reminiscing about the time we were in London together. We were so drunk we thought we were following a possessed light and then somehow woke up with these matching tattoos. But we have no memory of how or where we got them.”
I frowned. “You followed a dancing light? And how do you not remember getting your tattoos? They’re quite large…”
“That’s what she said!” Tan howled, but immediately sobered when he noticed the other two considering my words.
“In retrospect, it does seem suspicious,” Nox answered slowly, scratching his beard as he eyed my forearm. “Especially with howyourshas now appeared and seems connected with ours. I wonder if this has something to do with Marena saying we’re not mortal…”
“Wait, what?” Asa choked out, releasing me so he could spin on Nox. “Why would we not be mortal?”
Nox threw up his hands. “Fuck if I know! That goddess is a few fries short of a Happy Meal if you ask me.”
“Hey!” Tan interrupted. “IlikeRena.”
“Of course you do,” Nox snorted. “She has a pussy.”
Tan looked positively horrified as he turned to me. “Doll, you must know, I only have eyes for you. And Ace. Only you and Ace.”
“What about me?” Nox gasped with an expression of mock-outrage.
