Soul Mates 04: Secrets(9)

Chapter Three



"So, is this your true form, or is it just another illusion?"



"It's all me," he said, and then glanced over his shoulder. "Well, most of me, at least. Not pretty, is it?"



"No, it isn't," I answered honestly. "What was done to you was."



"What I deserved," he snapped, cutting me off. "I committed a crime; this was part of my punishment. Do not make it seem as if I was an innocent who was suddenly whipped, beaten, and shorn."



"What could you have done that this," I gestured to his back, "would be the proper punishment?"



"May you never know."



He rose up off me and sat on the edge of the bed. I got a really good look at his back and not pretty was putting it very, very lightly.



"I want to know, Simon. I care about you; Lucien cares about you."



"If you knew me, you would not care."



"That's where you're wrong." I moved to the edge of the bed and sat beside him. "Do you remember what I went through before Lucien transitioned me?"



He nodded once.



"I do, too," I said softly. "The drugs weren't working for me anymore and I was in so much pain. Things were happening left and right and I thought I was going out of my mind. Lucien was missing and I was just&scared. You took me into your arms and you sang me to sleep. I felt so safe, so secure."



Simon stared at the floor and remained silent.



I reached over and took his hand, amazed that his was so much bigger than mine. Everything about Simon was big; he had to be at least seven feet tall and three hundred pounds of muscle. I threaded our fingers together and squeezed.



"Talk to me, Simon. Please."



"There is nothing to talk about," he said. "I just wanted you to see me. To let you know that sometimes things exist the way they do for a reason."



"And you were pissed?"



He nodded. "I know he came to see you and that you were just trying to help, but please, just leave it alone."



"Rhys loves you, Simon."



"Rhys&" His voice cracked, but he swallowed hard and cleared his throat. "Rhys needs to move on. There is nothing here for him."



"Why? Because you think you're not pretty enough for him? Think you're going to scare him away like you just tried to do with me?" I bumped his shoulder with mine. "I hate to tell you, but if that's what you think, you're so very wrong."



"It matters not." He finally looked at me, his eyes full of despair. "I cannot& I am& Peter, look at me. The moment anyone sees my true form, the only thing I get in return is pity. I refuse to let that happen with him."



Oddly, I understood what he meant. Being different just sucked sometimes. My differences were hidden inside me and I had a hell of a time dealing with them. Some people only saw black and white; the shades of gray weren't understood or very well tolerated.



I realized this was the golden opportunity I'd been waiting for to bring up the subject of Simon's wings and helping him get them back.



"What if things were different?"



"Different how?"



"What if you were able to get your wings back?"



Simon laughed, the deep baritone of his voice loud enough to give me goose bumps. "It would never be an option, to say the least."



"But what if it was?" I turned to face him. "I know people who can help. I can use the offer of a seat on the Council to work out some sort of agreement. We can ask for a pardon and."



"No!" All humor was gone from his voice as he surged to his feet. "We will do no such thing!"



"Why not? This is a punishment that you didn't deserve. Please, just let me help you!"



"I do not want your help, Peter."



"You don't want your wings back?" I stood, but still had to look up at him. "Tell me the truth about that, at least?"



"I have lived so long without them."



"But&if things were different? Would you want them back?"



"No."



I saw and felt the lie the moment it passed through his lips.



"I hate being lied to, Simon. More than anything."



"This is a truth you do not want to hear."



"That's where I think we disagree. I have one more question before you go."



"No."



He started past me, but I blocked his path. "Tell me what you did that was so bad they did this to you."



An odd expression slid over his face and I wasn't quite sure how to read it. The corner of his mouth turned up, but it was far from a smile.