Alyssa
"What is your idea?" I shout at Azrael over the wind, hoping he will hear my voice. My hair is blowing in the wind, slinking into my mouth and forcing me to spit it out.
"This!"
Azrael speeds up, flying higher until we are right above the gigantic bat. His eyes lock on the target, and I shake my head, finally realizing what he is about to do.
"No-no-no!" I warn him. "That is a terrible idea!"
Azrael smiles goofily, fanning my face with his warm breath. "You have a better idea, princess?"
"Anything that doesn't involve trying to tackle him into the portal sounds good—what if we get sucked into it too?"
Azrael rubs his chin. He needs to shave. "I haven't thought about that..."
I roll my eyes. "Figures."
"But I know we can't defeat Fabian—look at him!" Azrael roars. "He is a monster!"
Bitter laughter comes out through my mouth. Fabian is searching for us with his fierce eyes screeching when he catche
Alyssa I wake up on top of a warm, soft surface. Something beneath me is moving, though, causing my eyes to fly open. My heart is pounding a mile per second. Where am I? I'm struggling to move because I'm stuck beneath something hefty. "Are you awake?" The hairs behind my neck stiffened, and my body pause. Azrael's newly awakened baritone voice travel straight to my heart. The angel is not in his human form. He is still enormous and caught in this ethereal glow and smiles a little before leaning back against a cliff. "I have no clue where we are," He mumbles and lifts his other hand to his eyes to rub them. His blonde hair is messy, and I stare at him, taken by his stunning appearance—something he doesn't fail to notice. His smile widens. "Hi, I hope I'm not freaking you out by staying in this form. I'm drained off magic and can't seem to gather enough strength to take a human form without eating." I hear a loud rumble from his stomach
Alyssa I'm rendered speechless after Azrael's spoken words, left staring up into his eyes that gleam brightly. He doesn't need an answer today. Azrael knows to be patient. We have gone through a lot, and yet, my heart is dicing into pieces. I'm not sure if my kind can perform the mating ritual with two people, but it's evident that I want Azrael. Blonde hair is hanging down in thick clusters into his eyes, spiking along the top and giving him that look of having just rolled up from bed. His lips are looking soft, curving as he tilts his head at me, and I have to hold my breath because he smells so damn good. Leaning in to sniff him would be a crime, and resisting will leave me with regret. "Where do you want to start looking for Sleepy?" He asks. I gather myself, cursing my weak brain cells for already having fallen victim to Azrael's charm. He seems to notice the attention and smiles wider when he catches me checking him out. Cockiness doesn't come t
Alyssa I'm trying not to laugh while Azrael is sitting in front of a tree branch with his knees folded underneath him. He is holding one of the cat people as a prisoner in his hand. Thick fingers are curled around the poor creature while I'm sitting on a tree branch level with Azrael's hand. With a deadpan expression, I fold my arms underneath my chest. "I will ask you this question once more, cat man, and don't even try pretending that you don't understand English because I heard you talking moments ago." Azrael has to glance away while biting his lower lip. I've gone total mafia boss, and the angel seems to find it amusing. His wings are folded behind his back, and his hair is flowing around his skull. He looks too angelic to be one of the bad guys, but I think I'm doing an excellent job inspiring fear in these cat people. "I-I don't understand what you're talking about!" The cat man shouts. "Please, release me! Put me down!" Finally, the ca
AzraelI kick up sand on the beach, watching it cover my foot before a salty wave takes it away from me. The sun shines into my eyes, and I squint at it with a small smile tugging on my lips. I've always been a man in control, afraid of letting other people close in fear of them falling for me.But now, the tables have turned because while I'm head-over-heels in love with the woman searching for her mate, I'm unsure if the feeling is mutual.I glimpse ahead, observing Alyssa search through some bushes while being down on her knees. Earlier, we realized Sleepy might be in his fairy form, and now we are looking under every rock."Sleepy? Are you in there?" She is staring into some hole in the ground with her flaming hair falling to one side of her shoulder. "Make some sound if you're in there! Please!"A sharp tinge of pain bites at my heart, and I'm forced to look away, pretend I'm not wishing Alyssa was using that tone for me. I stare at the glitte
Azrael Without speaking a word, I'm flying with my eyes set on the mountain ahead of us. Alyssa and Sleepy are using me as a taxi, lounging in my cupped hands pressed to my chest as we approach this "mountain of life" that looks like a snowy mountain. My eyes lift to the sparks of electricity traveling above the clouds, and I swallow bitterly at the familiar colors. "It seems there is a portal on top of the mountain. I would recognize those lightning bolts everywhere, and the air reeks of magical energy." Alyssa gasp. "The prophecy said I was supposed to face Fabian on the mountain and defeat him, but it said nothing about a portal!" Sleepy laughs in my hands, but the sound is grievous. "Perhaps the reason we are fighting that monster on the mountain has something to do with the portal—if we push him into it, then Fabian will be no more. The ones who wrote the prophecy must have planned that. It can't be a coincidence." "He will reign in anoth
Alyssa The entire walk through the forest got my stomach in knots. I'm nauseous thinking about having to face Fabian again. I haven't had time to practice my magic, and it bothers me that the prophecy spoke of me having two mates, while in reality, I'm only bonded to one. "Man, these acorns are killing my feet," Sleepy complains. He is walking behind me, muttering at everything he steps on. No shoes are covering Sleepy's feet—the fairy is in some battle for power against the angel, which means he is refusing to be in fairy form. Men can be so ridiculous. It's as if Sleepy believes I would look at him differently if he sat on my shoulder. "If the ground is too hard for your poor feet, I could always borrow you a shoulder," Azrael teases. He winks behind him, and I stifle a laugh seeing Sleepy turn beat red. "I'm fine walking!" Sleepy barks. "Using you as a taxi was a one-time thing, not that I understand why you changed into human form."
Alyssa As we walk through the forest searching for Azrael, a screech bounces off the trees. The sound reminds me of a dying animal, something unearthly that's been possessed by a demon. A shudder travels up my spine, and I close my eyes. I recognize the terrifying sound of Fabian. "Well..." Sleepy says, covering my shoulder with his large hand. His smile is sweet when I find his eyes. "At least we know the monstrosity is here, waiting for us to defeat him." I listen to the rustling of the canopies above us, allowing nature to calm my drumming pulse before I ask the question that is weighing my heart. "You think it's possible to beat him?" "Definitely." We keep on trampling grass and moss, pausing when the screech approaches us as if the giant bat is moving. Sweat trickles down my spine, and I hold my breath. "You hear that?" I ask. "Perhaps Fabian left the mountain." I throw a glance over my shoulder, screaming when Sle
AlyssaA sense of loss wrecks over my soul the moment feathers of an angel circle in the sky before vanishing into thin air. I'm broken. Azrael gave his life to save me, yet it suddenly feels like I'm dying, drowning in grief. My eyesight is already blurred from all the tears.I still can't believe what happened.Azrael pierced his own heart with his blade.I sit on the mountain, down on my knees, while the sky is clearing up and the portal closes. Nothing is right, and I whimper when Sleepy places his hand on my shoulder. His calloused fingers massaging me are the only thing keeping me from screaming at the world.Did Azrael plan this?Probably.That thought makes it harder to breathe. My chest is constricting, and there is a headache forming behind my eyelids. Scenes are playing inside my head: our meeting in the clearing, the first time I saw him in human form, and him saving me from Arachne, then kissing me. I witness our quarrel,
AlyssaThe plan is simple: find Sleepy and somehow return to our world. Azreal is going to try and open up a portal. But first, we need to find my mate. I can faintly sense him. It must mean we are getting closer. Sadly, it's dark, and Azrael and I have found a cave for shelter. A fire is lighting up the cave walls, and I'm sitting with my hands reached forward. The warmth feels nice on my skin. "I didn't think vampires could get cold," Azrael comments from the other side of the fire. He is wearing a curious smile. "Yeah, but..." I hesitate before speaking, unsure if I should tell him what I'm about to say. I'm still not sure. "I think I'm becoming human again. This realm is doing strange things to me, and I'm not even weak to the sun anymore. My skin might be pale, but I no longer burn.""Interesting... Do you think it's only because of this being the realm you came from? I have a hard time believing you could handle the sun back in our realm, err, the realm we lived in."My chest
AlyssaI stare at Azrael, unable to move because he has hit me with the truth. The strings of my heart are playing a tune of surrender. It's tired of running from the spiraling heat in my chest.And I agree—I can't flee forever. Not when Azrael's eyes are imprinted into my mind. He is like a spreading infection. When he was gone, I couldn't focus. It was like someone had taken all the colors from my eyes and painted the sky black.I was in pain when Azrael was gone, and now he is here—so why can't I just be honest with myself and take what I want? Why am I afraid?I wet my lips. "We should..."I can't finish the sentence. Something unnamed is swelling between us, warm and tender. It gives life to Azrael's eyes, and his features show radiant humor. Does he have to be so beautiful? He gives me sappy butterflies without even trying."We should what?" Azrael is watching me while walking. "Fuck? Because that would be a great idea."
AlyssaAzrael is eyeing me with severe eyes. "So you said the ones who kidnapped Sleepy smelled like cat people?"I inhale. In the past, I was more at ease with Azrael, but now there is electricity in the air. I should focus on the mission to find and save Sleepy before making it back to our world, but Azrael is making it somewhat hard.He has those bedroom eyes, and the mate-bond is like a sweet, romantic melody in my ears whispering, "You know you want him,"I need to get a grip, but it's easier said than done. Azrael is all curious eyes and smiles. It's seriously distracting. One glance and the man can reduce me into a nervous wreck."Yeah... And the other cat person called Sleepy's captor for "boss," so I imagine he is someone powerful.""Hmm..."Azrael taps his chin with his blonde hair falling into his eyes. He seems deep in thought, so I steal a glance of him. I absorb the view of his large shoulders and follow them down to his
AlyssaI slowly back away from the large angel. Azrael is glaring daggers at me, and it's making me uncomfortable. Blonde hair falls into his eyes, and his jaw is ticking with words unspoken. I'm not sure what Azrael's intentions are, but they can't be friendly, judging from his angry expression.And I would be a fool to stick around for too long—the angel could harm me with a move on his hand, squish me like a bug.Azrael is scary."Hello..." I lick my lips, trying to find words: his eyes, violet crystal, zero in on me, and it adds pressure. "I've been looking everywhere for you, but uh... Something tells me you don't remember me?""You're wrong." A smile, cruel and cold, seizes his lips. "I remember you, Alyssa. I gave my life to save you and—"I gasp, interrupting his hateful speech. I've never experienced a true mate bond in my entire life, but there is no doubt about it. Flames are dancing in my chest when I lock eyes with A
AlyssaWhen I open my eyes, an elderly lady with cat ears glares down at me while holding clothes in her arms. She is dressed in this medieval maid attire and throws me an identical-looking set of clothes. The colors are mainly white and brown."Well, get on with it then! Put on your clothes, lass!" The lady sounds upset with me, stressed. "My name is Esme, and the master doesn't like to wait! He is sleeping right now, and it's our job to clean him up after his latest battle. Hurry!""E-Excuse me?" My voice comes out high-pitched."What is it you don't understand?" Esme pulls me up from the mattress beneath me, and I squint at the sun coming in through the window, but I'm not hurt by it. It seems the feather around my neck is still determined to protect me."Stop dreaming and put on your clothes!"Startled by the tone of her voice, I stand straighter and nod at the bossy lady—I can already tell it's not wise messing with Esme. "Yes!"
Alyssa Sleepy and I are walking through the forest after disembarking the ship. The impossibly tall pine trees seeming to reach for the stars reminds me of home, yet the atmosphere is different. The winds traveling past us seem colder somehow, and the air is heavy to breathe. Every pant vaporizes, and I blink away frost from my eyelashes, shuddering. "It's so freaking cold!" My lips are quivering. Sleepy chuckles. "Well, it's autumn, not summer." "The seasons seriously change too quickly in this world!" "Agreed." "I'm starving too," I complain, wishing I had a coat to pull over my body. I'm snotty and probably close to running a fever. "But it doesn't look like we will find any nearby restaurants." "Meh, why not eat from nature?" My mate shoots me a charming smile. His hands are resting behind his head, and the muscles in his arms are bulging. How he isn't freezing is beyond me. "From nature?" I snort. Sleepy ca
Alyssa After some fun with shrinking and some much-needed cuddles, I'm sharing a blanket with Sleepy on deck. The boat is approaching land, and the skies have cleared, leaving the morning sun to sweep in through the cracks in the clouds. I sink further into Sleepy. I'm sitting in his lap, and with a content sigh, I relax my entire body weight against his chest, which seems to be made of steel. His arms curl tighter around me in response. My head is tucked between his shoulder and neck, and he smells great, like sea salt and the ocean mixed with his usual nectar. Neither of us says a word as the sun shines brighter above us. I'm so warm and reasonably confident I could die a smiling woman nestled against the firm expanse of his chest. I don't think I will ever be able to return to sitting alone, not after using him as my couch. "Alyssa, look over there!" Sleepy nods ahead of us, whispering into my ear in a tender voice. "I think I see our new h
AlyssaStrength isn't how you avoid trouble—it's how you act when put under pressure and your solution to getting out of the darkness. Right now, I'm battling for my life. It's getting harder to fight by the minute, yet the pain in my limbs is only fuelling my will to survive.I scream and punch a siren in the face, gritting my teeth and roaring before slamming my boot into another one's stomach. Even though I'm engaged in a losing game, a fire is raging on within my chest. The night might be cold, but my fists are heated."Why won't you give up?""Girl, you won't win this fight."I keep on struggling."Ah, you're getting tired."I throw another punch, screaming in vain when the sirens won't shut up. They keep harassing me, hugging my exhausted body when sweat has broken over my skin.A tongue flickers by my earlobe. "You're weak."Those words awaken more adrenaline, and I break free, crying out into the night as I
Alyssa Two months have passed since we defeated Fabian. And I still long to hear your voice again, watch your lips as you form the words to call me princess. I've been working hard on getting on this boat, and Sleepy has been making money too. We are fine. We are smiling. We are surviving. Yet I still miss you. "I swear to god that I will commit suicide and throw myself overboard if we eat the same slobbery fish for another day!" I grimace at the bitter flavor and shudder in disgust. "Surely, there must be better things in the sea. Why aren't they catching shrimp or lobster?!" I grumpily dig into the fish again, aware of the amused laughter coming from above. "Hey! It's not that bad!" Sleepy hangs his head like a bat and smiles down from the top of our bunk bed. Green hair falls around him like a mane, and I laugh at his big smile. We are eating dinner and praying the boat won't sink and disappear in the waves—t