Chapter Sixteen #2
Looking back out into the sky, I admitted, "Some people in charge of their houses weren't always that way. Lucifer hand chose your Dad, my parents, Damien’s, and Colt's to lead. But the House of Sin and House of Runes leaders were not."
Her sharp intake of breath confirmed that her father had not filled her in on that.
My parents had risked everything when they’d told my sister and me, but we kept nothing from each other.
They’d told us if anything ever happened to them, to look to those two Houses because they were brutal strategists who killed for their position.
When I looked back at Ama, she appeared troubled, prompting me to ask, "What are you thinking?"
Her lips pursed as she shook her head. "Why wouldn't my dad tell me that? That sounds like vital information to know going into this. They're dangerous and bloodthirsty for power."
Ahh, so she had a close relationship with her father like I did with my own parents. The hurt in her voice was clear, and I knew I needed to offer a different perspective to shed some light.
"Don't think that way. He was protecting you by not telling you.
The houses made a pact to not tell their subjects of the power struggles and deaths in those two Houses in particular.
Our realm needed unity and peace, not the war that would have happened if the four true rulers had denied the two who had killed for their titles. "
A small growl of frustration burst from her, and she threw her hands in the air as she exclaimed, "I'm not a child, though! I don't need to be coddled or kept in the dark for my own safety."
I had a feeling that this wasn’t the first time Ama had felt this way.
I kept my voice even and soft as I spoke, trying to calm her. "I trusted you enough to tell you, Ama. Don't let your agitation at who you didn't hear this information from overwhelm the fact that you are the only person outside of my sister and I who knows—other than the kings and queens."
The fight bled out of her instantly. Her shoulders sagged and she turned her doe eyes up to meet my gaze. "I'm sorry. My dad is just my best friend, and it hurts to think he would keep something from me."
The overwhelming need to comfort her had me pulling her softly into my embrace and wrapping my arms around her snugly.
Her arms wrapped around me instantly, returning the gesture as she tucked her head into my lower chest and whispered, "You barely know me, yet you shared something that could hurt your family. Why is that?"
My hand began to trace circles on her back where her wings would have been as I chose to be honest and open with her. "I might have just met you, but my soul doesn't feel like we just met."
That felt like a heavy bomb to drop, but I respected the way she had been true to herself, and I would give her that same side of me in return. The true me. No walls.
Silence stretched between us, and I worried that maybe I had made the wrong move. Then, her arms tightened around me as she nuzzled into me and softly admitted, "I feel the same way. You feel like home. No judgement. Safety. Unwavering trust. But that's insane, isn't it?"
The smile that lit my face was so wide it hurt my cheeks, but I couldn't help it. My entire being felt like it was glowing. This was just right. Us.
"It is a bit insane,” I hedged, but then I exhaled, kissing the top of her head, “But damn does insanity feel good."
She giggled at that answer and tipped her head up to look at me.
I tilted my chin down as she moved. Once again, I fell deep into the pools of warmth reflected in her eyes.
At this moment, it was only her and me. The world could burn down around us and I wouldn't notice anything other than the treasure in my arms.
"May I kiss you, Ama?"
A multitude of emotions crossed her face, flashing from intrigue, to fear, to uncertainty, and finally landing on disappointment. Had I fucked up and tried to make things physical too quickly? I hadn’t had any intentions of taking it further than a polite kiss, but she likely didn't think that.
"Damnit, I'm sorry." I cursed under my breath and dropped my arms, backing up to give her space.
She shocked me by tightening her grip around me and demanding, "Stop. It isn't you, it's me."
I couldn't help the laughter that ripped through me at the cliché line. That most definitely meant it was me, but she didn't want to hurt my feelings. I tried to not overthink her rejection. I couldn’t blame the woman—she’d just met me today.
Just because I was losing it completely, didn’t mean I had to drag her down with me.
Vulnerability seeped into her voice as she admitted, "I can't kiss you because I could kill you.
My hybrid powers are something I don't have a true grasp on yet.
I have a..." she trailed off and looked away for a moment.
Looking back at me, she continued, "I have mommy issues, to put it bluntly.
I have shunned the Succubus side of myself because of it, and due to that, I almost killed the first boy I ever kissed.
I began sucking his soul from his body without even trying. "
Oh, it really wasn't me. In that case...
Before she had a chance to object, I held her face gently between my palms and melded our lips together. I didn’t fear her. Why would I fear something that was so natural? I refused to believe that she would hurt me. Subconsciously or otherwise.
Her small hands tried to push against my chest as she mumbled against my lips, “I don’t want to hurt you. I can’t hurt you.”
“Ama. I feel no pain. No pulling on my soul. Just you. Your lips on mine,” I murmured, opening my eyes to stare directly into hers.
Shock reflected back at me. Softly, I pressed my lips against hers, giving her a chance to react and understand that I was okay. A single tear rolled from the corner of her eye as she rose onto her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around my neck and returning the kiss.
Sparks danced behind my eyes when they closed.
I’d been wrong. This was our purpose in life. To find the other half of your soul that made life worth living.
Could this be what I had read about in my studies? The concept of fated mates?