Chapter 22

TWENTY-TWO

Willow

Too much. It's all…too much. Gabriel's release hits the back of my throat, salty and rich, and I swallow him down. He slows his thrusts, his expression pure and utter bliss.

I had no idea I could feel so needy and so powerful at the same time. That I could want so desperately.

He pulls out of my mouth with a quiet pop and seals his lips to mine. A low growl rumbles in his chest. This man is sex personified. Dominant. Completely in control. Confident in his every move. And I just…went down on him.

The combination of our tastes stokes my desire. There's an emptiness inside me only he can fill. I've never come more than once with a man, but with Gabriel…I've already lost count and I don't think we're done. Not by a long shot.

"Did I hurt you?" he asks, trailing kisses back to my ear.

I shift my hips against him, subtly asking for more. "Not at all. You couldn't even if you tried."

He stiffens, tension in the set of his shoulders. "I could." The sheets rustle under us, and I almost think he whispers, "I will."

"Gabriel?"

Drawing back, he lets his gaze trail over my face. "You are so beautiful, deliciae . So perfect. You should be worshipped every day for the rest of your life."

I don't have the heart to tell him the rest of my life will be over soon. Instead, I skim my fingers along his jaw. He leans into the touch for a moment, eyes closed. Goosebumps race over his skin. He's half hard again—or is that still?—and a fresh drop of arousal glistens on his crown.

"Will you…?" I don't know how to ask for what I need. This isn't me. I've always been happy with my vibrator and a fantasy or two—only on the rarest occasions.

Gabriel has ruined me for other men, and I'm here for it.

"I do not have protection. I never expected this—you." Sorrow roughens his tone. "Angels…we can sire children."

My cheeks catch fire. I lower my eyes, pinning my gaze to his lips. "I'm…safe. I can't…ever…"

"Look at me, Willow." His molten irises draw me in. An eternity of love, desire, and pain fill their depths. "Are you certain?"

"Yes. Completely." For the first time in my memory, I don't hate my broken body. Gabriel makes me feel…whole.

Slowly—gently at first—he rolls his hips against mine. The underside of his shaft slides over my folds. I let my legs fall open.

"Fuuuuck," he groans. "You will undo me."

"Oh? I'd like to see that. I didn't get a great view last time. Y'know, with your cock down my throat?"

He laughs, the sound filling the room and bringing a lightness to him I've never seen before. "Then it is a good thing angels have nearly endless stamina."

"You…oh, God…endless?" My eyes threaten to roll back in my head as he swivels his hips against me. "Remember…I'm…human."

"I know, my love." Surging forward, he claims my mouth in a kiss so hard and fast, I can barely breathe.

The head of his cock nudges at my folds.

"More," I demand.

He pushes in deeper. "You are so very tight. Like you were made for me. Only for me." Two fingers pinch one of my nipples. Pleasure shoots straight to my clit.

"Touch yourself, Willow. Now."

The command pulls a moan from my throat. I slide my hands down my stomach. Anything more than the lightest pressure could send me flying too soon. I want—no, need —him inside me when I come.

Circling my clit with my thumb, I draw in a long, slow breath. On my exhale, he sinks deeper. Again. And again. My thighs tremble. I'm wound tight, so full, we're practically one.

He groans and starts to thrust. My thumb keeps pace with his strokes. The intensity in his eyes is so beautiful. So very… him, but somehow more.

"I will not last long," he grits out, still playing with my nipples, tugging, pinching, drawing me closer and closer to the edge.

My ability to speak is so far gone, I'm not sure I'll ever get it back. Nor do I care.

"Willow! Fuck!" He jerks, liquid heat filling my core. The sight of him coming apart is enough to send me flying right to the edge. I arch my back. My heels dig into the mattress, and I let myself go.

Gabriel

Outside the window, the late afternoon sunlight hits the trees, casting long shadows over the landscape.

Willow lies in my arms, at peace—perhaps for the first time since we met only—what?—two weeks ago?

When did I last feel this way? I cannot remember. This realm has changed me. I belong here. Living among humans—with this human.

I count the days since I last saw Azrael. Fuck. He will return for me soon. Will he see reason? Leave me be until Willow is safe? Of course he will.

Seraphiel will complain, but that is nothing new. Seraphiel can find fault in a sunset.

"What are you thinking about?" Willow shifts, her soft curves molding perfectly to my body. "You're tense."

Lying is not in my nature. In truth, I am not certain I am even able to. But she does not need to know the depths of my sorrow. Or be reminded that leaving her will destroy me.

"Tomorrow will be dangerous," I say, staring up at the ceiling.

"Gabriel, don't take this the wrong way, but… No shit." Her delicate snort is only one of the things I am growing to love about her.

Fuck. Angels do not…fall in love. Not like this.

Willow pushes up on an elbow. Her lips are still swollen, her cheeks pink with the flush that only comes from being thoroughly ravaged. But in her eyes, sadness holds sway.

"AURA could find me at any time. We don't know what powers they have—beyond Hannah's eerily persuasive voice and the magic they put into the WCU. And half of the people here to help us are almost literally dead to the world when the sun is up."

"Killian is the most fearsome warlock of his age. Maddox can fly. Kunchin—is very large," I offer.

"Large?" She shakes her head. "He's massive. But unless size gives you some sort of immunity to magic, his height—and all that fur—won't help much."

"You have never seen vampires in battle. They are lethal beyond measure. Kàra and Mist are two of the Valkyrie—goddesses, if the legends are to be believed."

Her frustration pushes into my mind.

"I am not allaying your fears. What if I made you come again?" My brows lift, but Willow laughs in my face.

"Did I say something humorous? I was quite serious."

Another snort, and she plants her palm against my chest.

"If you make me come again—right now—we'll miss dinner completely. And one of us needs food to function." She wriggles to the edge of the bed and scoops the pile of clothes from the floor. "I assume—since you'd never had a grilled cheese before—you don't?"

"An angel's powers change in the earthen realm." I catch my boxer briefs when she tosses them to me. Now where are my socks? "My time here has been full of new experiences. Eating, sleeping, breathing…"

"Breathing?" Willow loses her balance trying to step into her jeans. "Shit?—"

I catch her before her perfect ass hits the floor. "Careful there, deliciae ."

She sags against me and tips her head up to meet my gaze. "You don't breathe in the celestial realm?"

I shrug. "We do when speaking. But other times…it is not common."

She runs her hands down my arms. "What else is different? What did you learn when you came here besides…how to care?"

Her question gives me pause. As does her body. Willow is every bit as hot half dressed and flustered as she is naked. I could take her again right now. My cock strains against the boxer briefs. Putting my pants on will be…difficult.

I need a distraction.

"The celestial realm is quiet. No leaf blowers. No…motorcycles or car horns. It has no scent—good or bad." Carefully, I ease my pants over the bulge of my cock. "Very little color at all beyond that of each angel's skin."

"Oh, God. Why would anyone want to live—exist—like that?" she asks.

I shrug. "Because until you leave, you know nothing else. I thought I was happy there. Or…at least content. I was not." My shoulders heave. The urge to confess my feelings for her is almost overwhelming. I want to tell her that going back will be the hardest thing I have ever done, but that would be a lie.

Leaving Willow… that will be the hardest thing I will ever do.

My phone buzzes from somewhere in the corner of the room. Willow finds it under my Henley and checks the screen. Her cheeks tinge bright red. "Um. It's Killian. I think he heard us."

I snatch the phone from her hand.

Killian: Are you and Willow ever leaving your room again?

We should have arranged for room service. Then I could ignore the bastard. But as I plan on making Willow come at least another three times before morning, I suppose we must eat.

Gabriel: We are going to the dining car in a few minutes.

Killian: We'll join you. Sinclair has news.

With a sigh, I pull my long hair back and secure it with a band. "I would rather have you all to myself for dinner, but we are—apparently—going on a double date."

Willow

The fine hairs on the back of my neck prickle as my angel protector leads me down the train car's narrow hallway. I cast a glance over my shoulder, convinced there's someone there, but we're alone.

Gabriel stops at the door to the next car, turns, and rests his hands on my shoulders. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know."

He searches my face. "That is not an answer."

My lips twist into a frown. "Yes, it is. It's just not a good one. Don't worry. Mad and Killian are waiting for us, and I'm hungry."

For a moment, I think he might argue with me. But all he does is sigh and press a kiss to my forehead. "You will survive this, Willow. I promise."

My thoughts race a thousand miles an hour. I know he thinks he can save me, but he didn't read the last words of generations of whisper keepers. Their pain didn't seep into his fingers through the spelled ink.

When I close my eyes at night, I can almost hear them. Their screams. Their sobs. Their overwhelming sadness and despair.

I'd give anything to have a real conversation with even one of them. Anger twists in my chest. The first coven should have done more to protect those who came after.

My ancestors abandoned me.