Chapter Thirty-Six
“I’M SO LUCKY.” ROOK SPUN IN PLACE, causing a swirl of fallen leaves to loop around her anklets like autumn-coloured jewellery.
My heart skipped a beat at how beautiful she was.
How fucking lucky I was that we’d spent a month of lazy lovemaking and no one had bothered us.
It seemed as though Auntie Mei and Uncle Wen had decided to give us a honeymoon period, moving all the staff to the village and giving us Ashfall Cliff to use however we wished.
We’d christened almost every spot.
We’d made love in the gardens and courtyards. We’d slept under the stars and returned to the waterfall below. We’d truly existed in paradise, and everything was amazing.
The cleaver in my hand stopped chopping as I struggled to take my eyes off her. Her gown of choice today was as rich as midnight, setting off her pale glowing skin and ink-perfect hair.
I wanted her again.
Which was a problem because we’d barely managed to stop being together and I wanted to enjoy other things. Including pleasuring her in other ways...
I had an undying wish to make her ecstatically happy—to replace the nightmares and exist in a dream.
“Stop looking so delectable,” I commanded, resuming slicing the big chunk of gingerroot. “You’ll make me chop off a finger and then what will I do?”
Prancing toward me, she hugged me from behind.
“Why are you cooking? We already know we don’t need anything but each other.
” Slipping to my side, she pinched a neatly cut bamboo shoot and nibbled it warily.
“We haven’t eaten in a very long time and I can’t say I...
” Her eyes lit up as flavours hit her tongue. “Okay, I might have missed it.”
I grinned. “Me too.”
“But isn’t it a risk?” Her eyebrows pinched together. “Remember what happened the last time we tried to eat?”
“That won’t happen anymore.” Gathering the sticks of ginger, I tossed them into the hot wok. “We’ve fully ascended. We’re no longer mortal so our bodies are no longer dying. Yes, I feed off your energy, and you feed off mine, but we can indulge in food if we want.”
“But how do you know?” She sniffed longingly at the fragrant smell of garlic, chilli, and ginger.
“I tested my system the other day with one of your favourite jugs of plum blossom wine.”
“Oooo wine.” Her skin glowed brighter. “I definitely missed wine.”
“Figured you did.” I tapped her nose with the end of my spatula. “You missed your calling as an alcoholic.”
Sticking her tongue out at me, she swiped at her nose. “I’ll make you pay for that.”
“I’ll happily await my punishment.”
A flare of wicked desire flowed between us.
The air crackled with awareness, and it took all my self-control to push her away and focus on creating a feast. “Behave and let me feed you.”
“Fine.” Hopping up on the outdoor kitchen bench where I’d commandeered the well-stocked pantry and cooking fires, she kicked her legs and watched me with an adorable expression. “You’re incredibly handsome as a chef, you know.”
I grinned, sharing her infectious joy. “And you’re so beautiful, I might have to eat you instead of this dinner.”
“Oh, I like the sound of that.” She flung her arms out, beckoning me to stand between her spread legs. “I could be dessert.”
I grew hard.
I was always hard around her.
“I told you to behave.” I growled, refusing to go to her because I knew what would happen if I did.
Doing my best to focus, I tossed handfuls of vegetables and meat into the wok. I had no idea how Auntie Mei kept the kitchen so well stocked. I hadn’t seen anyone since we’d arrived home, but...I was once again grateful.
Everything had worked out so well. I’d gotten my vengeance. Saved the girl. And claimed my freedom.
Fuck, I’m lucky.
My skin flared with flames, my emotions spilling out with pure joy.
“You’re smouldering again.” Rook licked her lips from where she’d stolen a lychee from the already peeled stack. “I know what that means.” She winked. “You’re about to flip me around and have your wicked way with me over the bench.”
“Wrong.” Grabbing a bowl, I ladled the meal into it, snagged two pairs of chopsticks, and captured her hand. “I’m going to feed you first.”
“Fine.” She pouted with a giggle. “I suppose I can let you do that...but only if you give me wine.”
“Deal.” Together, we headed to the wrought iron table where carp blew bubbles in their pond.
Rook sat down, and with a twist of her wrist, summoned an earthen jar of alcohol.
My knees gave out, making me thump into the chair. “How...?”
“Just like wishing our clothes off, silly.” Taking a deep drink, she moaned dramatically. “Ugh, you were so right. I’ve missed this. Being a closed energy circuit with you is highly convenient, but...you don’t taste nearly as good as this little jar.”
“I’m offended.” I chuckled at her joke, unable to stop unease weaving around my heart.
I shoved it away like I always did.
That awful little niggle liked to haunt me, doing its best to destroy our perfect paradise.
Reaching for a pair of chopsticks, I miscalculated my new strength and snapped one.
The wood cracked in two, slicing my palm.
“Oh no!” Rook grabbed my wrist. “Are you okay?”
Blood welled—a lustrous gold instead of tarry black.
I stared at the nasty cut.
It should hurt, right?
Even immortal, I should feel pain.
But...nothing.
“Lucien?” Rook leaned close. “Are you—”
“Wake up! You have to wake up! You’re dying!”
I almost fell off the chair as a male’s voice rang in my head, followed by a vicious panther snarl.
Tapping my temple, I—
“Lucien?” Rook’s voice seemed far, far away. “Lucien?!”
“You’re burning up! Open your eyes!”
“Lucien?” Rook’s hands landed on my cheeks, grounding me, freeing me from the awful voice in my head. “You’re scaring me.”
I snatched her into my arms.
She folded into my lap, wrapping her arms around me as I clutched her painfully close. Breathing her in, my heart steadied as I felt her, smelled her, touched her.
Real.
She’s real.
“Sorry. I’m fine. I didn’t mean to...”
What?
Hear voices?
Feel no pain?
Give in to the worries that something about this place wasn’t right?
“You can’t ever leave me...okay?” Her question wrenched my head up.
“Why would you say such a thing?” My heart fisted with agony. “I will never leave you. I love you. Where you go, I go, remember?”
“Wake up. Before it’s too late!”
Launching to my feet, I swiped the bowl, food, and chopsticks off the table. They landed in the pond, scaring the fish.
“Whoa.” She grinned, ridiculously happy that I’d abandoned the idea of eating lunch in favour of eating her.
Tossing the wine jar over her shoulder, she arched her chin and bent over the table.
My clothes disappeared into the ether as I folded over her.
Unease and dread slithered through my blood as I bent my knees and took her.
Shadows oozed around the courtyard, watching.
Darkness crept closer, blotting out the sun.
The flowers wilted, the pillars rotted, and I ignored it all.
I ignored the dread, the fear, the voices.
I was happy.
We were happy.
And nothing could take that away from me.