Chapter 58
Ryder
Asimple dance was all it took to change me forever.
I’ll never be the same. Not after that. No amount of time will stop me from remembering what it felt like to be intertwined with her soul.
For so long I have yearned for the physical connection, but nothing will ever compare to the feeling of our two souls merging with one another.
“Let’s begin the Soul Cleansing Ceremony!” Nio announces, gathering everyone around again. “As my brother and Anthony immerse themselves in the Infinite Sea, their souls will be cleansed and renewed, allowing them to start their new life together.”
Zaro and Anthony connect hands and make their way into the illuminated waves. As they walk deeper, vibrant blue streaks follow behind them before eventually returning to darkness. Nightling must be activated by movement, which explains why the shore is glowing and not the rest of the sea.
“Come! Join us!” Anthony motions to the beach and one by one guests begin to descend into the water.
“It’s tradition,” Danielle says, grabbing Reign’s hand.
The rest follow, still fully clothed in gold. Squeals and whimpers escape their throats when they’re met with the icy chill of the Infinite Sea. Danielle releases Reign and joins her brother a few feet away.
I watch from the shore as Reign submerges herself completely. When she comes back up, electric blue water drips down her body in a way that reminds me of our time under the glittering fall the last time we visited.
She’s mesmerizing underneath the moonlight.
Stealing my breath away with every move she makes.
Her hands take turns activating streaks of Nightling as she spins in slow circles.
I’ve never met anyone who appreciates the world like she does.
Maybe it’s because of how she grew up or because she died, but she doesn’t take moments for granted.
She takes them in like she’s etching each one into her memory.
I’m so captivated by her that my heart skips when she catches me watching. She smiles softly, nodding for me to join her. It’s the only invitation I need. I would follow her anywhere and everywhere if she let me.
“Isn’t this amazing?” she asks, filling her palms with a pool of water.
“It is. I’ve never seen this before.”
“Really? I would’ve thought you’d have seen everything by now.”
I put my hand over my heart. “Was that a shot at my age? Are you calling me old, Miss Calloway?”
“Not old, simply…experienced.”
Her smirk widens into a smile when I scoop her in my arms and spin her around in the water. “You’re right. I am experienced.”
Her cheeks quickly blush, and I take it as my victory, releasing her from my grip. Not because I want to, but because I’m trying to respect her boundaries in front of Damien.
“I have a question to ask you,” she says, still staying close to me.
“Mhm…” She giggles like she’s embarrassed to ask and it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. “Yes, Princess?”
“Do your shadows work underwater?”
Not in a million years would I have guessed that was going to be her question. Then again, that’s just another one of the many things I love about her. Always keeping me on my toes with that beautiful, wondering mind of hers.
“You tell me,” I say as I begin running one up her bare leg that is hidden beneath the dark sea.
Her jaw drops open and her eyes go wide.
That is, until my ribbon of shadow reaches the inner part of her thigh.
I pull it back before I get myself into any trouble and she almost looks disappointed when I do.
I can tell by the rapid rise and fall of her chest that it was enough to leave her wanting more and cruel satisfaction settles within me, watching her try to compose herself.
However, the charged moment is cut short when Amaya and Zane come running over. Their timing, though inconvenient, is probably for the best. The others quickly rejoin us and as the group grows so does the distance between me and Reign.
Once the night has ended and we’ve all dispersed to our rooms to dry off, it still feels like there’s unfinished business. I try. I really try to respect her boundaries, but I only have so much willpower left and it’s just not enough to stay away from her.
When I appear in her room, she doesn’t look the least bit surprised. In fact, it’s almost as if she was waiting for me, still dressed in the gold gown that was perfectly made for her body.
“I know I shouldn’t be here but—”
“Shh.” She places her finger over my lips, stopping me. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
Suddenly my heart is beating out of my chest.
Is this it? Is this where she chooses Damien over me? Is this where she says she doesn’t feel the same way?
Her hands work their way through my hair and slowly trail down my chest, pausing in the middle as she looks up at me with that heart-stopping gaze that haunts me every time I close my eyes.
“Let me start by saying that I know I’ve been selfish lately. I needed time to work out my feelings and I know that hasn’t been easy on anyone.”
“You don’t have to do this,” I say, placing my hands over hers. “I understand.” I begin to remove her hands from my chest, but she fights me, pushing them back.
“I don’t think you do.” She shakes her head.
“Earlier today at the Armada Social, Damien and I had a conversation. The thing is, I love Damien. He was my first love, and I will always love him.” My heart sinks so far that I’m not even sure it’s still in my body.
“But right now, his love isn’t the one I crave.
It’s not the one that keeps me lying awake at night.
It’s not the one that makes me feel alive in a way I never thought possible.
” There’s a moment of hesitation as she reaches for my face.
Her finger runs along my jaw as her eyes trace over the movement.
“I don’t know what forever looks like. All I know is how I feel right now.
” Her eyes lock on mine and the room around us fades away.
“I love you, Ryder Cimmerian. Like the moon loves the sea.” Her thumb brushes along my lips, as if it’s her way of kissing me.
The warmth of her touch seeps into me, leaving its mark. “It’s you.”
The world goes silent as her words echo in my mind. Nothing has ever felt so good. So right.
“There’s something I have to tell you, too. The Divinity Oracle came to me in my dreams last night.”
“How? Why?” Confusion turns into fear in a matter of seconds, and I lace my fingers through hers.
“I’m not sure how, but I knew it was important, so I went to the portal.” Panic runs across her face. “It worked,” I quickly reassure. “For whatever reason, the Oracle decided now was the time to tell me what had already been right in front of me this whole time.”
“And what was that?”
“You remember when the Oracle said immortality was a loophole for death?” She nods.
“After you died, I thought the Oracle had been trying to hint that you were a phoenix, but that wasn’t it at all.
” I release my right hand from hers and gently brush the stray hair from her forehead.
“Reign, you’re my loophole. The one person the universe has decided to let me love fully without restrictions of the curse. ”
“That can’t be true.” She shakes her head but there’s hope behind her eyes.
“I didn’t think so either until I saw it for myself. This moment to be exact. The dress. Us together in your room. I saw it just as the Oracle had.”
“Magic’s balance,” she whispers as realization begins to set in.
“Exactly.” I can see the scenarios playing out in her mind. “I know that it’s crazy to think and the risk of it is—”
Her soft lips crash into mine, claiming them as hers.
Sparks fire off throughout my body and it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before.
She pulls away too soon and places her hand over my heart.
The two of us stay like that, unmoving for what feels like forever.
Both of us waiting for death to come collect her.
Seconds feel like hours as we stare at one another, holding our breath for the moment this dream turns into a nightmare. But it never comes. Her heart still beats. Her breaths become steady. And the warmth of her skin continues to thaw every part of me.
The relieved smile that spreads across her face is the last sign I need. The Oracle was right. Whatever price I must pay later will be worth it. To know I can love her fully, the way she deserves… it’s all I’ll ever need.
Our lips hover over one another for a moment as if to savor the reality that the space between them is no longer a deadly barrier keeping us apart.
When our lips meet again, it’s as if everything has been set right.
The love I spent my whole life convincing myself I didn’t deserve is now mine.
Despite knowing the darkest parts of my soul, she chose me.
She decided that the boy who grew up knowing nothing but cruelty and pain was worthy of her love.
She could have run from me. She could have stayed in a love she already knew. It would have been the easier choice. The safer choice. But she didn’t. She saw my darkness and chased it away with her own light.
She saved me from myself and I’m not even sure she knows it.
Her kisses deepen as if she can hear my thoughts.
As if she needs to convince me that her love for me is just as strong as my love for her.
My chest tightens with each passing second like it might just burst. Every wall I’ve kept up my whole life is now nowhere to be found.
I’m left exposed and vulnerable and not one part of me cares.
I’m too lost in her. Too distracted by the taste of her kiss.
It’s addicting. Sweet and delicious and I need more of it.
More of her.
As if needing the same thing, she turns us around and guides me backwards to the bed without letting our lips part.
I sit down on the edge, clinging to her as her legs break through the slits, allowing her to straddle me without restriction.
Our tongues tease one another with circles and light touches that leave us both wanting more.
She lets out a quiet moan when I grab her ass and press her into me.
The sound of it makes my power demand freedom.
I let my shadows run loose and they wrap around her back, gripping her long, thick hair. It’s like I’m able to touch all of her at once.
Neither of us break away. We’re drowning in each other. Every arch of her back, every grind of her hips, every clutch of her hands in my hair makes me grow more wild and untamed.
A pair of my shadows find their way to her legs that are tightly hugging the sides of me. They slowly climb up the most sensitive part of her inner thigh, and she shivers at their touch. I can feel her satisfied smile as we kiss, deeper, more passionately.
She’s first to make the move, pulling away to redirect her attention to my neck. Her tongue traces infinity signs and my hands grip her hips, trying to find some sense of control. The free rein of my shadows isn’t enough anymore.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I vaporate across the room, leaving her alone on the bed confused and disoriented.
“I’m sorry.” My voice is low and I’m not sure she hears me at first.
I watch her from across the room as she slowly scans her eyes from her place on the edge of the levitating bed. When she makes sense of it all, she crawls to the middle and looks down at me. I expect her to be scared or annoyed but a sinister grin spreads across her flawless face.
“You wicked little thing,” I say with the shake of my head.
“Are you going to put me down or am I in timeout?”
Mother, she’s dangerously charming.
I lower the bed slowly, along with the other floating décor and furniture until they’re perfectly placed.
“If anyone is in timeout, it’s me.”
She steps off the bed and I instantly clasp my hands behind my back as if it will somehow make a difference.
“Someone once told me control takes practice.” She reaches up, wrapping her hands behind my neck. “Consider tonight your first session.”
She stands up on her toes and I can’t resist the temptation of her curved lips beckoning me. I reach down and pick her up, spinning her around so that she’s pinned against the wall. Her legs squeeze tighter around me when I press my palms against the wall instead of where they really want to be.
There’s intensity and greed between our kisses now. Each of us wanting to claim dominance over the other. She bites my lower lip, and it’s enough to make me fall victim. I’ve never surrendered before, but she makes it impossible. I back away and set her back down on the ground.
“Giving up so soon?” she teases with a raised brow.
I quickly grab her hips, whirling her around so her back is to me. My hand wraps around her neck and jaw and I lift her head up.
“That’s the effect you have on me,” I whisper into her ear as we both look at the holes that mark the place my palms just were.
“I’m sorry.” There’s no teasing tone now. Only sincerity.
“It’s okay,” I assure, turning her back around to face me. “We just have to take things slow.”
It’s the last thing I want to do after waiting this long, but I don’t have a choice. Not if I want to keep her safe.
“We have time,” she promises with the seal of a kiss. “I’m not going anywhere.”