Page 84 of Elysian

“Find me quite humorous?” he groused, so close that my back was flush to the wall.

I clamped my hand over my mouth, but the sounds kept coming. Cassiel leaned down so his face hovered over mine. The blush had not left his face. He seemed almost sheepish over it, still he did not back away, gaze scanning my face. The corner of his mouth twitched up in a semi-sneer and exposed his fangs.

“You rubbing my feet makes much more sense,” I said between my guffaws. Tears dampened my eyes from humor. He watched me, his face having softened.

“Another passage claims you would enjoy stolen kisses.”

The intensity with which he stared at me and his soft voice cut me right off. His reaction to being caught was rather sweet. I did not doubt his truthfulness.

His lips were still curved up. Tenderness filled me upon looking at his soft expression. I couldn’t help myself. I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his in a quick kiss.

He inhaled sharply, wide eyes still on mine.

We stared at each other. One breath, two, then his lips were flush against mine. He claimed my mouth with passion, grasping me to his chest hard until my back arched and breasts pressed against him.

I met the clash of his tongue with the same fervor. He took my mouth so wholly, licking and coaxing my tongue to tangle with his. Cassiel dragged one hand lower until he gripped my bottom, pressing my hips higher. My leg rested against his thigh.

I ran my hand up his shoulder until I touched the tips of his hair. I curled my fingers around the soft strands.

Cassiel slowly withdrew, swiping his tongue across my lower lip.

I panted, face a hair’s breadth away from his.

“You want to court me?” I breathed. “Or is all this effort for someone else?” I remarked, a small, and foolish, bite of jealousy in my tone.

“No other exists beyond you.”

I exhaled, opening my mouth to speak, and quickly clamped it shut. He pierced me with his intensity.

“In truth, I cannot promise I will be able to forgive you,” I whispered.

He moved his jaw from side to side. “I do not need it. I only need you.”

“That has always been the issue. You do not acknowledge how you’ve hurt me.” Frustration seeped into my tone.

He let out a slow breath, seemingly at a loss for words.

“I suppose I do not have a choice,” I breathed against his lips.

He stilled, and his head whipped to the side toward the door. The laughter died in my throat at the sound of breaking wood. With a few strides, he reached the exit. Just as quickly, he turned back toward me.

“Cassiel,” I hissed.

“Shh.” Cassiel blew out the candles near the door. He whipped around and strode back to me, one hand going to the side of my face. “I will not have you in danger.” The way he looked at me teetered on the edge of worry.

“Wh—” His palm pressed over my mouth.

“Silence,” he whispered against my ear.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the wall toward the wardrobe. He pulled it open and jerked his head toward it. I glared and shook my head. His expression hardened, and he forced me inside. My foot slipped, but I caught myself and pressed within the coats hanging inside. Cassiel closed the wardrobe, but I pressed my face against the door, peering through the slit.

I squeezed my damp hands into fists.

Screams ripped through my memory. The sounds of Hollows feeding on my family⁠—

Cassiel’s retreating steps strengthened my resolve. I opened the wardrobe since I refused to stay put. I managed a peek at the back of his head as he descended. My slipperless feet padded silently, leaving me to follow without sound.

Scuffling and grunts stopped me near the bottom of the stairs. Then a loud crash of wood splintering. I peered to find a body flying through the air and landing on the settee.