Page 59 of Knight’s Salvation

“I hope so.” She looked up in time to see Chaos’s back as he left the room. “That guy has the charm of a python.”

“He didn’t mean any of that, what he said to you.” James shrugged. “I didn’t have the heart to do it.”

Zenon stood, taking her with him, and she squeaked. “Let’s go. You’ve done enough for today.” He strode toward the door. Mia only had time to wave at James over his shoulder before they were moving down the hall.

“I can walk, you know.”

He grinned and nuzzled her neck. “I know.”

“Yet, there you are, still carrying me.”

“I like carrying you.”

“I’ve noticed.”

He chuckled and her belly tightened. He didn’t take her to his room, but instead to the fifth floor and out to the balcony, putting her down long enough to pull off his shirt. She gasped when his leathery wings snapped out.

“What are you doing?”

“I thought you might need some fresh air.” He smiled. God, she loved that smile. He looked so young, so beautiful.

“You’re taking me flying?” She had to stop herself from bouncing with excitement.

“Would you like to?”

“Yes. I would love that.” His wings were tucked into his back, the tips sitting high above his shoulders. “But first, would you let me touch your wings?”

To her surprise, he dipped his head. “Zenon? What’s wrong? If you don’t want me to, I won’t.”

When he looked up, his cheeks were flushed. He looked embarrassed, shamed. “Why would you want to? They’re not…they’re not soft like the others’. Most find them…disgusting.”

“They’re part of you. How could they be disgusting? I think they’re beautiful.” She stepped closer and reached up, running her palm down the outer edge. He sucked in a breath. “Can you feel that?”

“Yes.”

“I’m not hurting you, am I?”

“No.” He frowned. “It feels good.”

“Really?” He nodded, and she moved behind him, brushing her fingers down the center, along the inner curve. He shuddered and moaned softly. “They feel warm and so smooth.” She came back to his front and slid her arms around his waist. “Your wings are amazing, unique. Like you.”

His gaze darkened. “Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me. Not for doing something that gives you pleasure. Nothing makes me happier, Zenon. Nothing.”

He cupped the side of her face, brushed his thumb across her jaw, and kissed her. And when she was almost dizzy from the way he worshipped her mouth, he scooped her up in his arms and took flight.

She squealed in surprise, and he laughed, a wonderful carefree sound that warmed the center of her chest. “Hold tight,” he said against her ear. “I’m about to give you the ride of your life.”

Later that night on patrol,Zenon stood on a rooftop in the middle of the city and struggled to stay focused.

Mia had liked his wings.

A shiver moved through him when he remembered the way it felt having her hands on them, when she slid her fingers over their leathery surface. Helena hated his wings. She thought they were ugly. Mia didn’t, though—she said they were beautiful. Were they? Fucked if he knew. He’d always hated that they were another thing that made him different. But after today, the way she’d looked at them and touched them, he was glad they were the way they were, that they were different. She wasn’t the first to touch them, but she was the first to put her hands on them to give him pleasure not pain.

But then Mia had been giving him nothing but pleasure since she showed up.

He missed her. He’d only been away from her for a matter of hours and already he missed her.