Chapter 23 Nico
NICO
Nico’s hands shook as he cupped Onyx’s smooth cheeks, the tremors no longer an effect of the poison. It was as if the foul substance had never touched him. There was so much life bursting out of him, he might combust.
Onyx’s lips were as sweet as a dessert wine, rich and layered.
Nico would happily drink nothing else for the rest of his life.
If he didn’t know better, he’d think they were lying in a field of orchids.
The flower’s fragrance hung heavy in the air, and the very space around them seemed alive.
The beast that Nico swore had begun to grow between them was even stronger now, more consuming, like it fed off their kisses.
Nico would never have to give up this prickly demon. He was Onyx’s mate.
His mind swam with relief. He was alive. He’d been brought back from the despair of thinking Onyx wasn’t his.
Onyx broke the kiss, out of breath, his eyes burning deep blue. “Why haven’t we been doing that the whole time?”
Nico sucked in a deep breath, the taste of Onyx lingering on his tongue. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted me to kiss you.”
A small frown pinched Onyx’s kiss-red lips. “You read me well. I’ve never been big on kissing. Mouths are better used elsewhere.” He trailed a delicate finger over Nico’s lower lip. “But not yours.”
“Oh, I don’t know. My mouth is pretty talented anywhere I use it.”
An evil grin lit Onyx’s face. “I have no doubt, and I’ll hold you to that. But this is something else.” He bent and recaptured Nico’s lips.
Boy, was it ever. Nico could forget himself, drown in Onyx’s lips. He planned to do exactly that, however, the floor of his shop was far from an ideal location to kiss until time ceased to exist.
What if Emmett returned?
Fear strangled Nico’s gut even with Onyx wrapped around him.
“What’s wrong?” Onyx whipped his head back, panic lining his face.
“Nothing. Let’s get out of here.” Nico disentangled from Onyx’s hold and stood.
Onyx followed, his sharp attention unwavering. “Don’t say it’s nothing. You almost died. There’s no way you’re fine. What happened just now?”
Nico ran a hand through his hair. “It crossed my mind that the vampires might come back. We should lock up and leave.”
A low growl erupted from Onyx, and the hair on the back of Nico’s neck stood.
“Let the vampires come. I’ll burn them to ash.”
Nico hauled Onyx close and buried his face in his hair, a foreign, floaty feeling filling him. “Let’s go. Fuck, I have to call Rowan.”
Onyx went rigid and pulled from Nico’s grasp. “Screw Rowan. I’ll burn him too if this was his fault.”
“Hey.” Nico met Onyx’s flaming eyes. “It wasn’t his fault.”
“Then what the hell happened?”
Nico hesitated. He had to tell Onyx. Why was it so hard?
“I’ve been having trouble with this witch that the Valeros and I ran out of town a while back. He abused his girlfriend and was trying to set up some criminal shit, but we took care of it.”
“What’s that got to do with vampires poisoning you?”
“I have no idea. Michael broke into my place and has been lurking around. This morning, Rowan said a vampire coven he’d destroyed was back and causing trouble for him, but that had nothing to do with Michael.
Then, Emmett showed up with a woman I’d seen Michael with outside my apartment and… ” He gestured to the floor.
Fuck, had Michael been trying to poison him that morning, not merely get his blood to break into the apartment?
Onyx’s cheeks flushed, and Nico swore he smelled smoke. “Why didn’t you tell me someone broke into your apartment?”
“It didn’t seem like a big deal. I had it under control.”
Onyx’s eyes flared. “Under control? Did you tell Rowan someone broke in?”
“No. I passed on that Michael was in town, but Rowan’s busy enough. Besides, you protected my apartment. No one could get in.”
The break-in still didn’t make sense. If they’d planned on poisoning him, why not do it then?
“They couldn’t get to you at home, so they attacked you here.” Onyx cupped Nico’s cheeks, giving him a hard look. “Why didn’t you ask for help from me or Rowan, or anyone?”
“I didn’t need it.” Nico’s gut twisted. “I’ve always managed on my own.”
Ever since his dad died, Nico had taken on his own problems. He’d needed to be there for his mom, for his friends. Taking care of himself was a strength and made him feel secure.
The fury faded from Onyx’s face. “I’m sure you can manage on your own, but you don’t have to. I’m your mate. I want to be there for you.” His voice faded to a whisper, and his gaze dropped. “But you didn’t know that. I never acted like someone you could turn to. I’m sorry.”
“Hey.” Nico covered Onyx’s hands with his. “You were here when it mattered. We both thought we had plenty of time to open up and figure out what was going on between us.”
Onyx’s next words were strangled. “Please let me apologize for pushing you away.”
Nico kissed him. “Apology accepted. Come on. I need to get out of here.”
Onyx reluctantly let go and followed him through the shop. Nico left the upended table and battered shelves as they were, locking the door and pulling down the grate. Maybe he’d text Harper and close the shop for a few days. Give them both some time off.
As he turned to walk toward home, Onyx caught his hand.
“Let’s go to my place. I’ll fly us.”
Nico’s heart leapt. “All right.”
Onyx led Nico around the back of the building. He was already shirtless, and released his wings, his usual cocky attitude nowhere in sight. Onyx seemed more and more shaken as time passed. That wouldn’t do.
There was no reason for Onyx to feel guilty. Nico wouldn’t change anything about how they’d come together. He was falling in love with the feisty brat. Onyx didn’t need to be anyone other than himself, or be instantly comfortable with Nico being his mate.
But behind the apothecary by the trash cans wasn’t the place to discuss the big stuff.
Nico crossed his arms. “Are you going to carry me?”
“Yes.” Onyx bristled, as Nico had hoped, his familiar indignation warming Nico’s soul. “I’m a hell of a lot stronger than you. Now get over here.”
Nico obeyed. Onyx scooped him up like he weighed nothing, enveloping him in his invisibility illusion.
Nico wrapped his arms around Onyx’s neck. “I don’t think anyone’s held me like this since I was a toddler.” It was strangely soothing, even though he hardly fit.
Onyx squeezed him tight. “Take it as a reminder that I’m here to care for you.”
Before Nico could respond, Onyx launched into the air. They cleared the buildings, and Onyx pumped his wings, taking off toward the river. He picked up speed and soon everything was a blur.
Nico closed his eyes. Onyx’s secure hold didn’t prevent him from being all too aware of his bulk and awkwardly cramped limbs. He wasn’t scared of falling, however, his instincts couldn’t help sending his pulse racing.
Before long, Onyx landed and set Nico down on a deserted flat roof surrounded by similar industrial buildings.
“Welcome to my loft.” Onyx marched to a service door and held it open.
Nico entered a stairwell and headed down, Onyx beside him. “Did Ash and Dante protect this building for you like they did with my place?”
Onyx’s steps faltered, but he didn’t answer right away. They continued to the ground floor, where Onyx led them along a short hallway.
He paused in front of a set of metal double doors. “No, they didn’t. I haven’t shared my home with my brothers.”
“You aren’t worried about Lucifer after what happened at the gallery?”
Onyx seemed to wilt. He sighed, opened the door, and ushered Nico inside.
Nico forgot his concern as he stepped through. He stood in a huge open space nearly the size of the entire building, the lofted ceiling high above their heads.
The wall to the right was a floor-to-ceiling window, with many panes, some frosted, others clear, all buzzing with a strong privacy spell, and looking out on the South Banks.
The building sat on a hill overlooking the river, and gave Nico a view of the neighborhood that he hadn’t seen in a long time.
Couches and cushions were nestled in front of the view, set atop an array of colorful rugs. In front of Nico, a ladder led to a catwalk and a platform that seemed to hold a small library. There was no kitchen visible, and only one door in the far corner.
A ridiculously large bed with four tall posts, an ornate headboard, and a canopy of wispy rainbow cloth was situated to the left of the room’s center, surrounded by shaggy carpets and a sturdy trunk.
Art lined the walls, and a second seating area was nestled in the back corner, surrounded by books. Delicate wire sculptures hung from the ceiling by thin cables, and a large statue stood near the door.
“Damn, this is amazing.”
Onyx shut the door with a tentative smile. “I’m glad you like it. You’re only the second person I’ve let in here.”
“Second? Don’t break my heart.”
Onyx tipped his head back and laughed. “Sorry. It would have been a crime not to share my private art collection with Scott. If it makes you feel better, you’re the only lover I’ve let in here. The only mate.”
Shit, yeah, that’d do it. “I can live with that.”
“What a relief.” Onyx surveyed his space, turning serious again.
“To answer your question, I’m not as worried about Luc as I was.
” He snorted, like he couldn’t believe he’d said that.
“Luc isn’t lying about demons wanting to kill him.
I found out they want to kill all four of us.
I think Luc was telling the truth when he asked for my help.
Fuck, he might even be telling the truth about not hurting you. ”
Onyx met Nico’s gaze like he was looking for reassurance.
Nico moved closer. “I think you’re right. You have every reason to be wary of Luc, but he gave your magic back. How can that be anything other than an olive branch?”