Chapter 40

Standing in front of the large mirror Flame tried to figure out how to tie up her blue dress. It had a number of vertical pairs of strings going down her back that required to be tied. And she was not flexible enough to reach them. 

" Do you need help with that? "

Trying not to openly exhibit her joy on hearing her angel's voice she turned around. But the happiness could not be hidden. It was clear in the bright smile she wore the second she saw him. And when he walked towards her, that hollowness inside her that had formed the moment he had walked away was automatically filled. 

" Hey, I didn't hear you come in. "

They were in the walk in closet. He stood behind her and she felt at home. Trying not to lean against him, but somehow ended up doing just that 

" Actually I came back last night, but you were already asleep by then. "

He had finished his work late and headed straight home. To her. It felt nice to have someone that made you look forward to the end of your day. He had stood there while she slept, had leaned in and kissed her forehead. And had realised just how much he had actually missed her. It didn't matter whether he had been away from her for a day, a few hours or even a couple of minutes. 

Any amount away from her was like cruel torture. He spent every second that passed thinking about her. Recalling every single detail that pertained to her. Crafting it to his memory. Using it as a tool of anticipation for the next time he got to see her. Which was why it had been so difficult to leave her early that morning due to urgent duties that could not be postponed. 

He took a step back and begun working on the strings. Tying them swiftly, looking up every once in awhile to stare at her reflection in the mirror. She was doing the same. And if there was one thing she was sure of, it was that she would never tire of looking at him. Of wondering exactly what wonderful act she had ever committed in order to be allowed the pleasure of being loved by someone like him. 

" Did you miss me m'eudail? " he casually asked while tying the last pair of strings. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders afterwards while holding her gaze in the mirror. The sight of them, simply standing as they were seemed highly intimate. 

" Maybe, " she answered while smiling. Then her hand went up and grabbed onto his arm. That was her doing, he had not willed her to do so. She just wanted to touch him. To hold on as tightly as she could while she tried to uncover and dive into the depths of his silver eyes. 

" Mmh, is that your version of a yes? "

She gave a half shrug. 

" Or a no. "

" I think I prefer to stick with my theory. "

He scented the vanilla essence that Xavier insisted on him having. And he liked it on her. But he liked his scent on her even more, it was unmissable. And it filled him with tremendous pride to smell it on her skin. 

" Have you had breakfast yet? " 

She shook her head. He had asked Rehan to be in charge of things for the day. Because he felt as if he had not been spending nearly enough time with his mate. Or perhaps he just could not get enough of being around her. Whatever the case, he wanted to spend the entire day next to her. Maybe get to know everything about her that he was still unaware of.

So far all he knew were the hurtful memories. The things she wanted to forget. And he wanted to replace them with the good once she had. No matter how insignificant she thought them to be. 

" Why don't you eat while I freshen up. Then I'll act upon my earlier promise afterwards. "

With a frown she looked back. He noticed how her eyes slightly widened and couldn't help but smile at her assumption. 

" What promise is it... exactly? "

He slowly turned her to face him. Running his thumb along her eyebrow. Then he leaned into her ear, using his acute hearing to listen to her heart. It always beat faster around him and he liked the sound. He liked the knowledge that she was always naturally affected by his presence. Even if she tried to hide it. 

" Don't you remember? I promised to show you around. "

His breath against her ear was soft, warm and effective. But to her, it felt like a blast of pure heat. Nodding at his clarification, she pushed aside the thoughts of what she had assumed he meant. 

" Oh, right. "

After running a hand through her hair, he took a single step back. Admiring her from that distance.

 " You look very lovely, " 

Looking down for a second, she thanked him. Each time he complemented her she felt a stupid blush appearing. Nuriel then walked away, the faster he freshened up the more time he would have to be around her. And that was his primary motive. To get as much time with her as he could. 

                               ❇️✳️❇️✳️✳️

" ......I was so scared, I thought it was some kind of dangerous wild creature on a killing spree! "

Nuriel listened to her talk. Telling him about an encounter she had had with Zarek's beloved pet. And after that she told him about an argument he had had with Kael over some sort of fruits she didn't know. 

" Moonberries? "

" Yeah! That was it. He was soo mad. "

She talked. And talked. And talked. And he listened to every word, he mastered every flicker of expression that she wore. He saw the emotions she felt as she narrated her many tales. Each time she laughed, he felt it. When she smiled, not realising he was watching, he felt it. And when she randomly turned to look at him with her warm eyes, he felt it too. 

Everything that related to her. Like the feel of her hand in his. He had reached out and held it while they were exiting their chambers. And she had laced their fingers together freely, even now as they walked down the stairs to head outside, he rubbed his thumb against hers to ensure that he was truly holding onto it. And that she was holding back with equal strength. 

She had been in a shell when she first got there, but now she was cracking it open and stepping out. And he got to know just how much she actually enjoyed talking. And telling tales. 

They stepped outside and he led her down the path that led around the house and towards the back. She could see Kael and Phelan's fort at a distance. He led her to a creak on the side of the house. The water made a relaxing sound as it flowed. And little flowers grew in between the moss covered rock's that lay beside the stream.  

" It's so nice here. "

" I thought you didn't like being so high up. "

" I still don't. But that doesn't mean I'm blind to the beauty of the place. "

The weather was nice and warm. And the air was refreshing. She faced Nuriel while balancing herself on one of the rocks. Her hand still in his. 

" Did you catch the killer you were looking for? " 

He told her no. That was one issue that had been disturbing him an awful amount. Whoever that bastard was needed to be caught. But somehow, whatever they did to find him or her ended up being in vain. Flame could tell that the matter bothered and upset him. 

It was true. He was actually outraged at the mere thought of the matter. But now was not the time to dwell on such pessimistic issues. 

" I'm sure you'll find him. " she assured him. 

" I hope so. Now why don't you interest me with another of your tales."

Flame rolled her eyes. 

" You think I talk too much, don't you? " It was a lighthearted accusation ,she jokingly wiggled her finger at him. He smiled at her, his eyes glued to hers with unhidden delight in them. Then she keenly watched as the smile slowly changed into something else. Something deeper that could not be explained by simple words. He watched the tinkling in her eyes change into awareness, then captured her wrist, using it to pull her to him. 

She almost lost her balance on the rock she was standing on. But the arm he wrapped around her waist steadied her. 

It also affected her immensely. The proximity of her lips to his. The feel of her chest against his. The sound of his breathing as it became laboured and the look in his eyes as they peered into hers. 

It was compelling. Almost too much to bear. 

Seconds passed with them still in the same position. Why would either want to move? To be drawn away from the intimate moment that only they could enjoy. To deny themselves the chance to feel their hearts pounding together in perfect rhythm and to miss the way their bodies screamed with the awareness of each other. 

" M'eudail.. " 

He was not calling her. He was reminding himself what she was to him. 

Everything.