The sound of Violette’s voice thrusts me back into my body. Violette’s seated on the edge of the bed. Lazarus stands beside her, eyes reddened as though having recently wept.
Yet Violette’s eyes remain clear.
“You gave Tempus the pin..."
She nods, searching my gaze. “Yes... Have you seen Azrael?”
I sit up, grasping her hand to give it an encouraging squeeze.
Fuck, I hate lying.
“Not since you left.”
She studies me for a moment, but gradually, a soft smile curls her lips.
A hopeful one.
It takes every ounce of my strength to shove back my guilt and heartbreak. After seeing Azrael with Persephone and Mors, something tells me that we won’t be seeing Azrael again for a while.
Brow furrowed, Lazarus’ eyes bore into me as if he can sense my despair from where he stands. Still, I manage to say, “Let’s hope it works.”
Lazarus’ voice is firm. Earnest. “It has. In more ways than you know.”
I arch a brow. “You can feel it? From this point in time?”
He nods. “All those years that were filled with despair and loneliness, are now softened and eased by hope and, despite mymoments of weakness, cynicism, and impatience, there was still an underlying, unwavering hope deeply rooted within me. Like a great oak weathering passing storms and seasons.”
It worked.
Lazarus and Azrael were still of one body, one mind, one spirit when Tempus took the pin to him which means Azrael’s experience of it would be similar. Though memories can vary depending upon the individual…
Violette’s eyes glisten. Lazarus’ gaze lowers to hers as his hand rises to cup her jaw, thumb stroking tenderly over her cheek. “You’ve changed me and altered the course of my life in unfathomable ways..."
Lazarus bends to press kiss to Violette’s lips.
The action is filled with such softness and reverence that it stills the very breath in my lungs.
“I love you, sweet seraphim, and wish for nothing more than to dedicate my life to showing you just how grateful I am that Akashhas blessed me with you.”
I expect to feel a wave of jealousy.
Instead, I feel a swell of emotion.
And when I witness Violette’s lips part to welcome him; her tongue sliding against his...
Arousal.
A soft sigh of pleasure escapes her and my cock instantly throbs, twitching with need. Thankfully, their eyes are closed, and I take advantage of the fleeting privacy to adjust my cock and hide it behind the waist of my trousers.
Drawing a deep breath, I rise from the edge of the bed.
Lazarus and Violette straighten as she breaks their kiss, eyes promptly searching for mine. “Darling?”
I begin pacing. “Yes?”
“Are you alright?”
No.