Page 39 of Seraph's Tears
“Hmm?”
“Is it..always like that for you? Able to climax without me even touching your, erm…”
“Cock?” he completed, lifting his head to look me in the eyes.
I blushed. “Yes, that.”
“Not usually.” He frowned, a furrow splitting his brow. “In fact, while it’s always sensitive, this level is something I normally hear about with?—”
I gasped, my hands immediately moving to his chest. “What is this?” I pointed to the burn marks on his body.
He flinched.
“How badly does it hurt?” I demanded. They looked like drops of strong chemicals had splashed on his chest. “When did it happen? Was it when you were out with Castiel earlier?”
A muscle feathered in Gabriel’s jaw. “It’s nothing.”
Concern filled my lungs, making it difficult to take a breath. “It’s not nothing! Or do you seraphim not feel pain?”
He sighed and rolled off me, folding his wings up and landing on his back. It looked uncomfortable with those wings, even when they were tight against his back. His lack of response made it clear.
I turned to my side to face him, leaning over on one elbow. “It does hurt you!”
Gabriel shrugged, which was difficult with his wings pinned beneath him. “It’s not too bad. It will heal in a day.”
I frowned. “But how did it happen?”
He stayed silent, but this time he was thinking, not avoiding. I waited patiently, reaching for the blanket and curling it over my cooling body. I missed having him on top of me and around me.
“I’ve never told anyone this before,” he began. “I don’t think a single human knows this.”
I perked up at those words.
“Seraphim are stronger, faster, and more sensitive than humans. I could see you in the dark because my vision is better.”
“I had wondered about that,” I murmured.
“We have few weaknesses. We heal faster and from far graver injuries.” He paused.
“However?” I prompted, growing impatient.
“However,” he admitted, the word dragged out of him, “we do have one fatal weakness. It never posed a problem in our world. It was easily avoided and we knew what to watch out for. But here, in the human realm…” He shook his head. “That’s what I think happened to Daniel.”
I was so confused. “Wait. Start again.”
He finally met my eyes, gaze somber and resigned. “We cannot tolerate saltwater.”
I blinked. “You mean…these burns are from saltwater?”
He nodded, watching me.
My mind spun, trying to put it together. “But when did you touch saltwater? The rain is fresh. We’re inland.”
“Your tears,” he said finally.
My mind ground to a halt at those words. “My what?” I gaped. “You mean I did this to you?” I traced the skin around those marks, careful not to touch the red, shiny, wrinkled flesh. “Gabriel, forgive me. I had no idea. I cannot bear hurting you. What can I do?” I got to my knees, letting the blanket fall around my waist. “I can make up a salve in the kitchens. Do you think a salve would work on seraph skin? We should try.” I made to rise, but Gabriel chuckled and put a hand on my shoulder, keeping me down.
“Cease, my fierce human.” His warm, large hand trailed across my collarbone, then cupped one bared breast.
