Page 47 of The Souls Harvest
His reaction to my offer exceeds my expectations. His kiss is deep and hungry as if he’s been taming it for a while. His tongue searches for mine as though he’s not expecting to taste my lips for a very long time.
I melt under the weight of his urgency because the thought of what I’m about to do has never left my mind since last night, and Ineed the distraction. I need to feelus.
I bury my hands in his hair and press him against me harder, slightly tilting my head to get lost under the skilled touch of his mouth.
A deep moan in his throat tells me we should probably head somewhere more secluded.
“It’s eight in the morning, for fuck's sake. Get a room!” A passerby yells from somewhere. I don’t care. I want this.
But the moment has passed, and when Galen backs away, my heart sinks.
“You are addictive, July. But I like to consume my sources of pleasureslowly.” His eyes are glazed with the storm of heat still thrumming in our veins.
And there it is—the Galen that makes so many people do silly things to spend time with him.
But I’m not many people.
I step into the sunlight, licking his taste off my lips, staring at Galen while he tries to give his tousled hair a look worthy of a Deleteri leader. “Pleasure must be deserved. I’ll see you later,” I wink.
We’ve been playing this game for so long, and yet I’ve never savoured the taste of that word -us -like I did moments ago.
I turn towards my building without looking back. It will be too difficult to separate from Galen if I do. But as I stroll down the path that led us here just over an hour ago, I can hear his laugh, deep and warm.
Except for the red soul, he doesn’t remember anything.
He’s going to be fine.
He doesn’t know I’ve agreed to doom one of us tosave us all.
Chapter 21 - Roofs andChesterfield Chairs
July
Itry to keep a relaxed, steady pace as I walk towards my building, but as soon as its main door closes behind me, I rest my back against it, one hand on my chest, waiting for my heart to slow down.
Us…
I could’ve picked any other excuse to change the subject—but, no, I had to mention that little word that makes our relationship grey and foggy.
I peel myself off the door, forcing my legs to take the stairs. I still have a few hours before my meeting with Popplewish, and I could use a change of clothes and a refreshed brain.
Perhaps, if I go to the library now, I may find it empty. I don’t even know what kind of book I can pull off the shelves to while away some time. Maybe a guide on Sector 43. I’ve only visited once, ages ago, and I never wandered the city unless I had to deal with my Nistares. No matter how intrigued I was by the narrow alleys and dark corners, my crop was my first thought in the morning, and my last as I lay down for the night.
Besides, the air on Horigos doesn’t sit well with Harvesters. Roden always warns us that spending too long away from Libera could impact our abilities.
But this time is different—my Rogue is different. Not sure I should even call him that.
I thought I’d found a way out in that room with the Chapter.
Let me speak to him. I can convince him to follow me here and join us—I’d spoken with my heart out, only to face a living wall of harsh cruelty.
Bring his soul back to me wholeorend him. I’m giving you more choices than other Harvesters ever had.Roden’s voice still rings, menacingly, in my ears.
I’m nearly out of breath when I finally reach my floor after jumping the stairs two at a time. The long, empty corridor stretches before me, lined by a row of white doors to the left and tall windows to the right, exposed to the island’s south side. The sun warms my face when I peer down to ensure Galen has gone and is not lingering outside my building.
I should be relieved when all I can see are bushes in early bloom, gently waving as the wind plays with them. But a sad smile tugs at my lips when I realise Galen listened to my request and didn’t follow me.
I rest my back against my door, breathing in some trace of normalcy, before stepping inside my tiny flat.
