Night Unbound(140)

“No, you couldn’t have.”
“The Immortal Guardians know how powerful I am. I know some of them don’t understand why I let the battles rage instead of merely killing our enemies with a thought and keeping the immortals safe.”
Her shoulders moved in a slight shrug. “They’re young.”
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “Most of the immortals are hundreds of years older than you.”
“But my race is ancient. As a people, we’ve seen more than even you and David could conceive,” she said simply. “And we’ve learned from our mistakes. The immortals might not understand why you work so hard to maintain a balance, but I do. Their very lives depend upon it. As do the lives of humans.”
“That doesn’t make it any easier.”
“I know.”
Time ticked past.
“I’m so sorry for your loss, Seth,” she whispered.
He nodded, eyes burning. Drawing her hand to his chest, he shifted until he lay on his side with his head in her lap.#p#分页标题#e#
Ami drew her free hand over his hair in long, soothing strokes, offering him silent solace.
Closing his eyes, Seth finally let himself weep for those he had lost.
 

 

“Before I’m Dead” sang through the kitchen.
“Ignore it,” Zach implored, his mouth tempting Lisette’s as no other’s ever had.
She nipped his lower lip. “I can’t. I promised Richart I’d always answer, remember?”
Groaning, he pressed his forehead to hers. His hands tightened on her hips, then relaxed as he took a resigned step backward.
Less than thrilled by the interruption herself, she took the call. “Oui?”
“Is this a bad time?”
She straightened, her eyes meeting Zach’s as he, too, perked up a bit. “Seth. No, not at all. Hi.” Ami had confessed to being worried about him. Even had she not, all knew Seth was taking the deaths of Stan and Yuri hard.
“Zach, is it a bad time?” Seth asked. “Lisette is too polite to say otherwise.”
Zach laughed. “No. We were just about to have dinner. Would you care to join us?”
Lisette wouldn’t have thought it possible to love Zach more, but—in that moment—she did.
“Actually that sounds good, if I wouldn’t be imposing.”
She smiled. “Our home is your home, remember? You could never impose.”
Zach winked. “Well, I wouldn’t go that far.”
Seth chuckled. “I shall be there shortly.”
Lisette set her phone on the counter and smiled at Zach. “That was kind of you.”
Zach shrugged. “He’s hurting.”
Seth appeared in the kitchen and nodded to them both.
Lisette crossed to him and gave him a big hug.
Sliding his arms around her, Seth hugged her back. “What’s this for?”
“For being you,” she said. Releasing him, she winked and cast a sly glance at Zach. “And because they say jealousy makes the heart grow fonder.”
Seth smiled, amusement brightening his haggard features. “I believe it’s absence that makes the heart grow fonder.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Oh. Really?”
Zach narrowed his eyes. “Don’t even think about it.”
“You know I can’t stand being parted from you.” She waved at Seth’s coat and clothing. “Make yourself comfortable. I was just about to take the turkey out of the oven.”
“Is that what smells so delicious?” Seth shrugged off his coat.
Lisette grabbed a couple of potholders and drew the enormous turkey from the oven. As she turned to set it on the stove, she caught Seth staring. “What?” she asked as she retrieved a carving knife from a nearby drawer.
“You cooked a whole turkey?”
“Yes.”
Zach took Seth’s coat and left to hang it on a hook near the door.
“Are you expecting guests?” Seth asked.
“No.”
“I told you,” Zach mumbled as he returned, “the woman is always hungry.”
“I heard that,” Lisette said.
“You were meant to.”
Seth smiled, his shoulders relaxing.
Lisette motioned to him with the knife. “I’m serious. Make yourself comfortable. You can be yourself here.”
He glanced at Zach.
“I think she has a thing for wings.”
Grinning, Seth removed his shirt and draped it over a chair, then released his wings.
As soon as she filled all of their plates with warriors’ portions, the three of them sat down to dinner: Lisette in the chair at the head of the table, the men seated across from each other on the bench seats.
She had to admit, it was heady to share a meal with two such incredibly handsome and powerful men, their dark, arresting wings cascading to the floor behind them.