23. CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

SERA

Learning to use my powers is infinitely easier than when I first tried to use my wings.

Maybe because I'm not fighting them like I did the mass of feathers at my back.

Or maybe because the magic inside of me feels more latent than flying.

Whatever the cause, it's a relief to know it won't take me weeks to learn as time is of the essence.

Ender guides me with his never ending patience, and I laugh when he chokes when I think about him making a great parent.

I know this is another of his fears—that because of his father, he won't be a good role model.

My heart bleeds for him, but Ender has to face the shadows of his past on his own.

For what it's worth, I'll be right by his side the entire time, though.

And if we never have children, then I'm alright with that, too.

But we'll probably need to practice once a day—just in case.

"Focus, Sera," Ender groans, picking up on my thoughts. "Alright, let's start with something simple."

He gestures to a small, intricately carved stone on the ground some feet from us.

We're outside where I learned to fly since it's the only place in The Veil not stretching against the fabric of space and time.

And that's only until Ender's wards shatter under the pressure.

I shudder to think about what'll happen to us if we're caught inside this realm and can't save it in time.

Ender clears his throat, giving me a pointed look.

"Sorry."

"I much prefer you thinking about sex than us dying."

"Right."

I shift my thoughts back to him fucking me against every surface in his house, and Ender rubs a hand over his beak.

"Not now! Later. Focus on the stone—harness your power and channel it into the pebble using your emotions."

"Horniness is an emotion, can't I channel that?"

" Sera ."

"Sheesh, you're so serious, you act like we're on a deadline and might not make it."

He sighs, clearly beleaguered, but I reach up and kiss his cheek.

The man loves me.

Ender grumbles under his breath, no doubt questioning why he does, before turning my attention to the stone.

I close my eyes, centering my thoughts, and visualize the magic as a swirling current within me.

It's like a river of light, flowing within me, and I'm mesmerized by its beauty.

Slowly, I push the ethereal flow of magic outward.

The stone begins to shimmer, the surface responding to the power I'm channeling, and I whoop with success.

Ender shoots me a proud smile, and my wings rise and flutter at the look.

"Again."

We do this over and over until I'm more replete than when I first was learning to fly.

The Teraphim scoops me into his arms, and I don't make a peep, letting him carry me to his bedroom and into the bathroom.

I dive headfirst into the healing pool, my wings wrapping around me as I hang suspended in the cooling liquid.

When I come out, I expect to find a dress or even the leather outfit that I'm so fond of, but instead, I find armor.

"Um, Ender?"

He doesn't answer, so I pad down the hall to the dining room only in a towel.

I find him setting the table, and I take a moment to drink in the sight of my mate.

Although not handsome by human standards, Ender exudes an otherworldly beauty that draws me in.

My obsession with plague doctors totally makes sense now.

"Are you going to stare at me all night or come and eat?"

"I'm only wearing a towel."

"So I can smell."

His words make me pause, and I wonder how much he can hear and smell than me.

"Much better," he confirms.

I snort at him lurking in my head.

"Well, I would've put on clothes, but you left me…armor?"

"It's the traditional panoply of a Guardian. All Nephilim are ranked by their caste. For Seraphim, a Guardian is the highest. Just like for Teraphim, an Erlking is our highest."

"Are you saying that we're at the top of the food chain?"

"I prefer the term ‘pecking order'."

"That's because you have a beak," I tease. "And who's higher—a Guardian or an Erlking?"

"We're equals, both complementing one another's strengths."

"I guess we really were fated to be together."

Ender chuckles. "Whatever it takes to make sure you never leave me."

"Pft. I don't plan to—but if you keep withholding orgasms from me, I might show you how miserable I can make you."

"Brat, don't act like you don't like it." I do. "I know."

I raise a hand to stifle my smile and sit down, still wearing just the towel.

It's driving Ender wild, and this brings me untold glee.

Payback.

The two of us eat in silence, and I don't mind it so much now that he's finally talking to me.

We're both contemplating what needs to be done to save The Veil.

As if on cue, a veilquake rumbles through the house, shaking plates off the table.

The sound of shattering glass echoes around us as I push back from the table.

It's the strongest quake I've felt, and a glance at Ender tells me he's thinking the same thing.

"My wards are failing," he whispers when the ground finally settles.

"What do we do?"

"We've run out of time. We can have this night to rest, but tomorrow, we must perform the ritual."

His words send my mind spiraling into an abyss of worry.

"I'm not ready!"

Guilt slams into me, and it takes me a moment to realize it's not my emotion, but Ender's.

"It's my fault for not teaching you sooner, but I promise you're a natural. You can do this."

My mate's confidence helps calm some of the panic building inside of me.

"You can do this," he reiterates, "but if you can't, then we'll find another way."

Another veilquake, smaller than before, shakes the ground, as if punctuating his words.

Another way—what other way?

"Come on. I'll bring a plate of food to the room after I clean this up."

I ignore him and drop to my knees, picking up the broken pieces of dishes.

"Stop, you're going to cut your—"

"I'm fine, Ender. You don't have to do everything on your own. You already prepare all the food. Let me help clean up. I don't want to be a mate that just takes. Balance, remember?"

His wings jostle in agitation but he doesn't argue with me.

Because he knows I'm right—for this to work, we have to do things together .

By the time we're done, the two of us are exhausted.

"Bedtime?" I ask.

Ender snorts. "Always trying to maneuver me between the sheets, aren't you?"

"You wish."

He brushes his beak against my cheek before whispering, "Always."

Just like the night before, I fall asleep in his arms.

Never in my life have I felt so safe, so protected…

So loved.

My only hope is that we figure out this mess so that I can go to bed like this every night for the rest of our lives.