Chapter 9 Basil
Basil
Her soft skin pinkens as a heated flush spreads throughout her body. “We need to feed. Too long in the human world can mean that our abilities are weakened, so we need to replenish that power.”
She swallows. I can sense she’s nervous. Afraid. But also intrigued. “You want to consume my soul?”
“Yes.” Hades, do I ever. I want to consume every part of her. Make her scream my name and praise me to the gods and goddesses. “I would not need all of it.”
“But then I wouldn’t have all of my soul. I wouldn’t be all of me.”
“You would not notice a difference,” I say, trying to reassure her. Though, to be honest, once I get a taste of her, I am not sure I will be able to stop myself.
Her face shifts from blushing pink to red as her nostrils flare and her eyes narrow. “What do you mean, I won’t notice a difference? Do you think I am so soulless that I wouldn’t notice a part of me is missing?”
I clamber onto my knees to rest before her, not missing the way she flinches at my rapid movement.
Softly, I place my hand on the side of her face, hesitating only briefly before making contact.
Despite still having a reasonable amount of fear toward me in this moment, she naturally closes her eyes and pushes into my touch.
My thumb brushes the soft skin on her cheek.
“No, Iris. I would never suggest such a thing. You have the most beautiful soul I have ever happened upon.” I stroke my thumb against her cheek again, wiping away a single tear.
“Rather, I meant that it would be a small enough amount.” I hope.
“That you would not be able to tell it was missing. Over time, as you continue to experience life, it should also regenerate.”
Her eyes open, and I am met with the most wonderful shade of green. They are fields I could roam through for days and still not have explored enough. They are emeralds found at the depths of a mine. They are perfection.
“I thought you said that the people are left soulless when you consume… them?” she says.
My features soften. I do not wish to be causing her such distress. “Only if we consume all of it. It is possible to take only pieces, but there is often no need to do so, as our goal is to retrieve one’s entire soul.”
She sniffles. “So… I would still have my soul? I would still be me?”
“Yes, you would still be you. The beautiful woman sitting before me would still exist as she is in this moment.”
Her gaze finds mine, and while I can sense she finds my crimson stare to be different, it’s not unsettling to her. Iris closes her eyes and gives me the slightest of nods.
“I need you to say it, petal.” Not that I need her permission, but I need to know that she’s accepting this. That she’s accepting me.
She swallows.
“You can consume my soul.”
My insides blaze with a fire so deep and true with her acceptance that I do not know what to do with myself.
Part of me wishes to leap on top of her this very instant and take whatever morsel of her soul she is willing to give, while the more rational part of me knows I need to take my time with her. Make it an enjoyable experience.
Despite the urges rushing through me, I force myself to pursue the second option.
“Where would you be the most comfortable?” I ask.
“I don’t know. How do you need to do it? Is it a bite? A kiss? A fingernail? I have no idea what the process is like, so I don’t know how I would be comfortable,” she responds, the fear returning to her features before shifting into curiosity.
“Typically, it is with a kiss,” I respond, watching her pupils dilate with further interest. “It is not painful, so there is no concern there. From what we know, the soul owner, you in this case, feels something more akin to a gentle tickle when we take their souls. It would not do well to have them waking up and trying to fight us off when we consume, so the sensation is faint enough not to wake the owner.”
Her emerald eyes flit away from mine as though she is unable to withstand my gaze before she nods her acceptance.
“You can lie down if you are concerned, but I promise, I will do nothing to hurt you, my sweet flower.”
Still refusing to meet my eyes, Iris leans back and pulls her legs up on the couch as she turns in place. She stretches out the length of the sofa, placing her hands softly on her stomach, looking serene. Her eyes close, but the tension in her face remains.
I shift closer, better positioning myself to kiss those soft, plump lips I’ve been trying not to stare at all morning. I loom over her, bracing myself with one hand on the arm of the sofa just above her head.
In any other instance, I would be vibrating with the thrill of another soul.
Another tally to add to my years of service.
But I’ve known there’s something different about her from the moment I scented her on the other side of the portal.
Unable to tear myself away, I let that portal close, not thinking of the potential consequences, and now here I am, so nervous to kiss this beautiful woman that I might as well be a trainee.
This should be second nature to me. It is second nature. Yet, I still hesitate.
My eyes flick down to her now pursed lips.
“Relax,” I say. I curl my hand slightly, turning it so my sharp nails don’t risk cutting her, and brush the side of her face with the back of my hand.
The soft touch helps, as her face relaxes and the lips fall to a natural resting position.
“Good.” I lean over, bringing my lips within reach of hers, and breathe in.
Succulent. Her scent surrounds me. Lemon. Tangy and sweet. Just like her.
Her breath hitches. “You smell like campfire,” she whispers, nearly making our lips touch. I can hear her heartbeat picking up, but it’s not a nervous beat. It’s the sound of anticipation. Of wanting.
She wants this as much as I do.
Parting my lips, I push my tongue forward, needing to taste her before I get lost in her. I slide it along the edge of her bottom lip, feeling the pillowy flesh underneath, tasting her sweet breath mixed with the remnants from her morning coffee.
She whimpers as her hands clench her shirt inside her fists. She stretches out her neck, closing the small distance between our mouths, causing stars to dance behind my eyes.
Our lips crash into each other as though long starved of attention. We may barely know each other, but when we finally connect it’s like we have been destined for each other for centuries.
My lips caress hers, seeking a truth I already know.
She.
Is.
Mine.