by Lexi C. Foss
“That sounds appetizing,” she whispered, arching against him. “You should use me as a base.”
He pressed his lips to hers, chastely, tauntingly. “It’s like you read my mind, Lee.”
“If only you could read mine,” she teased.
“I don’t need to, love. Your body speaks to me plenty.” He punctuated the point by sliding his shaft through her slick folds. “Now don’t move. I’m going to decorate you and devour you until your throat is raw from screaming my name.”
Her stomach somersaulted. How could she refuse such an offer?
One more day.
Yes.
Then back to work.
* * *
Balthazar & Leela, Brazil, Date Unknown
7
Leela
Balthazar resembled a god even while he slept. His long dark lashes fanning his cheeks, his lips slightly parted, his defined chest rising and falling with each soft breath.
Leela studied him, memorizing him, her heart fracturing with every exquisite detail.
It has to be done.
But fuck, it hurt.
She didn’t want to erase this from his mind. Two days of bliss unlike anything she’d ever experienced. He took her to new heights, introduced her to sensations that she’d never forget. But he would.
Once Vera arrived, he’d never know Leela existed. This whole weekend would be replaced with a new memory, the one of her washed away forever.
Her vision blurred.
This shouldn’t matter. It was only two days. So what if he awoke a new life inside of her. That type of infatuation was temporary, right?
She bit her lip to keep it from trembling. Why did this hurt so badly? Why should she care if he forgot her? This was never supposed to be more than an experience. Their fate was determined from the beginning. He never should have even met her.
Leela pinched her nose, her eyes closing as a single tear fell. Maybe someday in the future… No. She knew that wasn’t possible either. God, she’d told him so little about the war to come and the fate of his kind.
It was almost cruel, leaving him in the dark. Yet, it protected him. For him to know was dangerous. Knowledge changed everything; she knew that better than most. And she owed it to Caro and Sethios to see everything through. For Stas too.
Already she’d dallied too long, had mentioned too much. This was her punishment—making him forget her.
I don’t want him to forget me. I want to stay here, with him, in this moment forever. This was the first time she’d truly felt in so long. Pleasure, yes, but Balthazar touched her on a level she nearly forgot existed. And now she had to give him up.
He’ll never know me, not like I know him.
The consequence of her task. Oh God, she hated this.
He can’t know.
I know. She swallowed. I know.
Her hand tensed around her mobile. She’d misted to her room to grab her bag earlier, knowing this moment would arise sooner rather than later. And now was the best time, while he slept.
She opened her eyes to take him in one last time. His face soft with sleep… she would remember that always. And his lips, the things they did to her, said to her, evoked from her… Always. A dream to cherish and revisit later. And she could visit him whenever she wanted, just without his knowledge.
Which would only hurt more. Because he wouldn’t even know she was missing.
Because I’ll be nothing…
Her throat worked, another tear falling.
God, what have I done?
She slid her fingers over the keypad without looking, the words too much for her to bear. Enticing him on the beach… at the bar… on the dance floor… she knew better. She deserved this for being so foolish. Of course dallying with Balthazar resulted in consequences. That’s why she’d avoided it for so long.
She typed the address and location to Vera, then tossed her phone aside to lie beside him once more. “I hope one day you’ll forgive me, B,” she whispered. “Assuming I can even tell you.”
Vera appeared at the end of the bed, wearing her trademark scowl. “Seriously?”
Leela wiped away the evidence of her emotion and sat up with a forced smile. “Sorry?”
Her best friend’s frown deepened, her gaze pensive as she took in the scene. “How many days?”
“Best to do a little over two,” Leela said, her voice cracking a little. Goodbye, B.
Vera nodded, walking around the side of the bed to lay her palm over Balthazar’s heart, her power already flaring.
Leela bit back the urge to stop this, her own heart beating a mile a minute in her chest. Oh, how fast she would be erased from his mind.
“What story should I weave in replacement of all this?” Vera asked, her voice softer than it was before.
Leela cleared her throat. She told her about the challenge, her pulse thrumming in her ears the whole time. At the end, she closed her eyes and added, “Make sure he wins. He deserves at least that.”
Vera nodded, her power weaving through the room and breaking Leela inside.
My punishment to bear. Always.
It would be so easy to ask Vera to do the same to her, to have her remove the memories that she knew would haunt her for a lifetime, but that would be selfish. Someone had to remember. It was too beautiful not to.
Oh, Balthazar.
But he’d never know.
She watched his lips curve at whatever Vera was programming in his mind. Her own responded in kind, but for an entirely different reason. Because that smile didn’t match the ones he gave her. Those would forever be hers to cherish, and regret.
“I’ll need to do the others,” Vera said flatly. “He mentioned you to Alik and Lucian before your erotic dance.”
She’s already back that far? Leela thought. So fast… too fast.
“He didn’t realize what you were by that point, just that you were different.” Vera’s brow creased. “From what I gather from the feelings, he chose another night with you over reporting back to his friends. He wanted to keep you to himself for another day. Interesting.”
Leela’s angelic soul shifted with discomfort. He had to feel obligated to give the details to his friends. He chose me over duty.
“At least I won’t have as much to alter in their memories, but you still owe me for this, Lee.”
“I know,” she whispered. “Sorry.”
Her best friend removed her hand, her blue-green eyes flashing with knowledge. “It’s a shame, though.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s clearly your other half, and now he’ll never know how you met.” She sounded almost sad, but she shrugged and disappeared in a flash, off to complete her task.
Leela sat on the bed, shaking.
And now he’ll never know how you met.
Even if she told him in the future, he’d never remember. Because of her. Because of this moment. Because of her vow to protect another.
“One day,” she whispered. “One day I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”
He stirred beside her, his arms flexing as he stretched.
“Goodbye, B,” she murmured, misting as his eyes opened. I’ll see you again… but you won’t see me.
Vera: That’s what happens when you play with people’s minds, Lee.
* * *
Stark: Yeah, but it can be undone.
* * *
Vera: I’m not a toy to be called upon for fun when you all need a memory alteration.
* * *
Stark: I was referring to Stas.
* * *
Vera: Oh, well, yes, that is entirely different.
* * *
Ezekiel: Can we get a move on that sooner rather than later? Because this whole game of interfering has really lost its allure.
* * *
Stark: Her twenty-fifth birthday is fast approaching. Almost time.
* * *
Leela: And then what?
* * *
Stark: Tha
t’s up to Stas.
* * *
Vera: I’m out. Tap me if you need me.
* * *
Leela: We should give them their book back now.
* * *
Stark: Agreed.
———
B: And once again, you all see why pancakes are better than waffles.
* * *
Luc: I’m picking the location for the next round.
* * *
B: Won’t change the outcome.
* * *
Luc: Yeah? Belgium would disagree with you.
* * *
B: Oh, that sounds like a challenge I would enjoy.
* * *
Alik: No.
* * *
Jay: You’ll need a new wingman, B.
* * *
B: True. I need to groom someone.
* * *
Alik: Yeah, go ahead and take a decade to work on that. Or better yet, a century.
* * *
B: Well, at least a few months. I have some parties to plan, starting with Jay and Lizzie’s engagement party. Which reminds me, we missed an important October holiday.
* * *
Luc: You thinking what I’m thinking, B?
* * *
B: Halloween-themed engagement party?
* * *
Luc: It’s like you pulled the idea from my thoughts, B.
* * *
B: Imagine that.
* * *
Issac: I’d rather not.
* * *
Jay: I should probably ask Lizzie about this first.
* * *
B: Already in the works, Jay. Trust me.
* * *
Luc: Always.
* * *
Alik: You realize Osiris is a major player right now, yes? Jonathan? That Stark guy? Any of this matter to you all?
* * *
B: Of course, but we’re not going to stop living because there are a few threats lying around. Right, Luc?
* * *
Luc: Yes, these events are important for morale and bonding. It’s what makes us stronger.
* * *
B: Exactly. All right, party time. Flip the page.
Luc: I think Stas needs to take over.
* * *
Stas: I’m good.
* * *
B: I agree with Luc. We’ll be far too busy entertaining for this one. Go for it, sweetheart.
* * *
Stas: Seriously, I’m fine to just let this whole “book” be yours.
* * *
Luc: I’m off to find a proper costume.
* * *
B: Me too.
* * *
*Silence*
* * *
Stas: All right. Guess it’s my turn, then.
1
Stas
“I can’t wear this.” The white fabric cut down to Stas’s belly button and the back practically didn’t exist. Not to mention the slit up her right thigh. “Nope. Not happening.”
Lizzie finished brushing her dark red hair and raised one perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “I’m pregnant and wearing seashells with a miniskirt. You can wear a floor-length gown.”
“Is that what it’s called?” Because it felt like wearing a revealing sheet. “I can’t even wear a bra with this.”
“And I can?” Lizzie gestured to her ample breasts. “I barely fit into these cups and”—she pointed to the slight bump in her abdomen—“I’m fat.”
Stas grinned despite her best friend’s petulant tone.
“That wasn’t meant to be funny!”
“Oh, come on. You’re hardly showing, Liz.” Technically, she shouldn’t be showing at all, but nothing about this pregnancy could be considered normal. “I think you’re gorgeous,” she added with a side hug.
Lizzie would make a beautiful mom. Already she demonstrated a sense of protectiveness over her belly, one her future husband seemed to share. Jayson barely let the woman out of his sight. It was a miracle he’d allowed the two of them to get ready for the party alone.
Pink painted her best friend’s cheeks as she returned the smile. “You’re right. I know you’re right.” She palmed her stomach and giggled with a shake of her head. “We both look ridiculous. Why did B decide on a themed engagement party?”
Oh, it was more than “themed.” He’d gone all out and rented an entire hotel in Miami. All thirty-three floors. Everyone had their own room, with Lizzie and Jayson staying in the honeymoon suite—their current location—and the floors not being used for sleeping were for the festivities.
“You like dressing up,” Stas reminded. “And apparently, so does Jay.” Because when B announced his plans, Jayson’s eyes had lit up like a Christmas tree.
“Of course he does. He put me in a mermaid costume.”
“Because you’re the perfect Ariel,” Jayson announced from the doorway. He must have heard his name.
Stas checked the clock. “You lasted thirty minutes. I’m actually kind of proud.”
He grinned as he wrapped his arms around Lizzie’s waist. “It helps being only a few feet away.”
Lizzie huffed at that. “I’m not dying.”
“No, you’re just a little over a month pregnant.” He palmed her belly as he bent to kiss her on the mouth. “And positively gorgeous.”
“You’re only saying that to sweet-talk me out of these shells,” Lizzie accused.
“Sexy as fuck,” he continued as if she hadn’t spoken. He started to walk her backward toward the massive hotel bed, giving Stas her cue to leave.
Maybe I can find a new outfit in the living area.
Not likely, but a girl could try.
She closed the bedroom door softly just as Lizzie giggled from being tossed onto the mattress. Such a bittersweet sound that elicited a pang of happiness followed by a hollow ache inside of Stas’s chest.
She missed that—the butterflies and the excited race of her pulse. Lately, all she’d felt was uncertainty. And the reason for that uncertainty stood in the foyer with one shoulder propped up against the wall. Waiting.
Issac’s sapphire gaze burned her exposed skin as he took in her revealing attire. Admiration curled his lips, his attraction to her as evident as always despite their difficult situation.
And the feeling was definitely mutual.
“A soccer player?” she asked, surprised by his costume of choice. He sported white gym shorts, black socks up to his knees, cleats, and a red jersey with gold writing on it.
Manchester United.
And here she thought he only owned tailored suits.
“Football,” he corrected as he sauntered toward her. “Athena would know better.”
“Yeah, well, I’m an unwilling version of the Goddess of Wisdom.” When Lizzie had recommended a Greek-themed costume for the party, Stas hadn’t thought much of it. Now that she was braless beneath a sheet of white, she regretted that decision.
Issac stopped an inch away from her and fondled the golden chains holding the fabric together over her shoulder. “I’m going to enjoy playing with these later.”
Her blood heated at the very real promise in those words. They hadn’t been intimate since her rebirth. A few kisses here and there, and most nights she slept beside him, but nothing happened beyond a few chaste touches.
Because one bite would end his life.
I’m poison.
She slammed the door on that thought.
No.
Tonight was meant to be a celebration of happy events. They all needed a break from reality, and Balthazar had gloriously provided it in the form of a belated Halloween-themed gathering.
“You look amazing, Aya,” Issac murmured as he wrapped his arms around her.
God, she loved this feeling.
He radiated strength and tenderness. Her soul rejoiced at the bond between them, refused to let him go even though they both knew she should.
Love.
She’d only said the word out loud once, and may never say
it again, but it didn’t matter. Titles and frivolities weren’t important.
He pressed his lips to her temple as she hugged him back. Beneath the heat of his embrace lay a hint of hesitation neither of them could ignore.
Death lurked between them.
A single wrong move. One drop of her blood against his lips and he’d collapse. Forever gone. Because of her.
