Chapter 26 Jace
JACE
My eyes flutter open, the darkness from last night replaced by soft morning light.
It pours down from the gaps between trees, glimmering on the frosty branches.
I expect to be freezing, but I’m no longer shivering.
The frigid ache in my bones is absent, every cell in my body tingling with an unfamiliar static.
Memories of the creature seep into my consciousness.
I jolt upright, looking for any sign of danger, but instead, I find a familiar face.
“Cyrus,” I gasp, lunging toward him and wrapping my arms around his neck. His body is solid, unlike before. “Are you really here?”
His eyes, wide as saucers, glisten with unshed tears. The expression on his face holds too many emotions for me to pinpoint one. His hands cups my cheeks, his eyes searching mine for several moments before he speaks. “I was scared you might not wake up,” he finally chokes out.
The pressure of his hand is firm against my skin, but there’s a foreignness to it, and I draw back. “You’re touching me,” I exclaim, not quite a question, my voice unsure. “How?”
Cyrus’ hands snap to his sides. He shrugs, his lips clenched tight between his teeth. His eyes dart away, unable to look me in the eyes. “I’m not sure. I don’t know how any of this works.”
Cautiously, I scoot towards him. He doesn’t move away, but thick waves of tension roll off him.
My stomach lurches, like an angry swarm of bees is buzzing inside it.
My skin crawls, the static feeling beneath it increasing.
Unease ripples through me, and for a moment, I think I might jump up and run away.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, the words thick in my throat.
“How are you feeling?” Cyrus asks, still looking away.
“Strange,” I reply honestly, running my hands over my head to feel for any wounds or bumps. “Did I hit my head or something?”
“Probably,” he sighs, taking my hand. His voice suddenly becomes serious. “You didn’t wait for me to come back.”
A cackle erupts from my chest, surprising us both. I fall back in the snow, unable to control my fit of laughter. “Wait for you?” I sputter between gasps. “That’s all I’ve done, Cyrus, for two years! Was I supposed to wait down there for another two?”
“I know, Jace.” His voice is soft again, cracking with pain. He hangs his head, letting it fall into his palms, and sighs. “Trust me. I wish I could have done so many things differently. I should have…”
“Shhhh. I know, I know,” I soothe, sitting up and moving to his side.
I cradle his face in my hands, forcing his eyes to drift up to meet mine.
The flecks of green in them sparkle against the striking contrast of deep brown.
My anger fades, giving way to crushing desire.
“Cyrus,” I whisper before pressing my lips to his.
His embrace envelopes me, deepening our kiss.
Our tongues press against each other, searching for more, finding each other again after all this time.
Cyrus sucks my bottom lip between his teeth, pulling a moan from me.
His hands run up my sides until they’re cupping my breasts.
My head spins, convincing me at any moment I’ll wake up from this dream, and Cyrus will be gone once again.
My body relaxes, giving in to him even if he’s only a figment of my imagination.
We fall to the ground, bodies curling around one another in the snow.
I roll on top of him, stripping open his flannel to reveal his bare chest. My hands roam his torso, the hardened muscle quivering beneath my palms. His cock presses against my thigh, already hard, bringing back memories of our bodies being inseparable.
It’s been too long; my core aches with anticipation.
I rock my hips into his, building friction.
Cyrus fumbles with his jeans, pulling them down to expose his length.
His cock falls against his stomach, and I reach for it, wrapping my hand around him.
My body ignites, molten desire spilling from my core and pulsing through my bloodstream.
His hands grip my shaking thighs, tugging me forward for another kiss.
I raise my hips, allowing him to pull the shreds of my tattered pants away.
Gently, I ease myself back down, lining his cock up with my entrance, and the tip slips inside me.
Cyrus tilts his back, letting out a soft moan.
I lower myself inch by inch, savoring the way he fills me.
Cyrus groans, pressing his fingers harder into my flesh.
He thrusts his hips, spreading my legs farther apart as I gasp, arching my back as my inner walls stretch to accommodate him.
The roll of our bodies synchronizes, my breasts bouncing underneath what’s left of my shirt.
His hands reach for them, caressing my beaded nipples with his thumbs.
Cyrus pulls me closer, hungrily pressing his mouth to mine.
I part my lips, drinking him down like he can extinguish the flames of grief burning endlessly inside me.
My thighs shake on either side of his, taking him deeper, like he can fill the missing pieces I’ve lost in the years spent searching for him.
“I fucking love you, Jace,” he moans into my mouth. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
Those words, the ones I’ve waited a lifetime to hear, crash into me. My ears ring, stars exploding in my vision, as we continue to move our bodies as one.
“I love you too,” I cry, pressing my face into his neck and inhaling the smoky clove scent I’ve missed so much.