Page 46 of Judge of Saints and Sinners

“Because now you know I dream about you?”

“Because we got to have this time.”

“How long can this last?”

Nephesh turned to face me more completely, and my heart skipped a beat at the beauty and familiarity of his face. “Dream time is a sort of stasis. We can stay here for as long as we need, but it will begin to affect our physical form after what will feel like a day or so here.”

“So let me get this all straight. If we wanted, we could live a day here and wake up just like it was one night.”

He nodded just once. “Yes.”

“And I’m your soul mate.”

“Yes.”

There was a heavy pause in the air between us, and I swallowed quickly after his confirmation of what was the only thing that made sense. Because even in the moments that I’d been confused by his presence or frustrated by his handsome smirking face, everything in me had always wanted to stay as close to him as possible.

“Hmm. That’s a lot to unpack.” Rising up on my knees, I let the blankets fall to the bed, slightly disappointed that my subconscious had kept me in the same ratty T-shirt and sleep shorts and didn’t think to put me in something beautiful for this moment. But too late now. Nephesh’s eyes were already devouring me, putting any concerns I might have to bed.

He cleared his throat as I stopped just shy of where he sat at the end of the bed. “Any other questions?” He appeared almost nervous, which only confirmed exactly what I’d been thinking.

“Do you want to kiss me again?”

“More than I can express,” Nephesh said, one hand rising to cup my face. His claws were still visible, and I found myself briefly wondering what other characteristics he might show once he was more comfortable with me. I breathed in hard as he leaned into me. But then Nephesh hesitated, his mouth hovering over mine. “You really don’t have any other questions?”

I wetted my lips, butterflies wild in my belly. “Oh no, I have a thousand, but they can wait.”

“You aren’t…how do you say, freaking out?” He stroked my cheek with his thumb, his gaze glued to my lips.

“I’ve told you before, I always felt like there was something more out there. That it couldn’t just be this life for me. And now you’re telling me not only is there an entire other world out there, but that I have someone out there who is designed just for me.”

His brows lowered. “When you say it that way, it sounds simple.”

“It is simple, Nephesh.”

“Nothing with my family is simple. You’ll see.”

I settled back a little, and then ignoring the way he breathed out as I moved, I swung my leg over his lap and settled myself there across his thighs. “That’s a little bit of a downer. Geez, Nephesh.” Straightening, I found myself in the perfect position to slide my hands up over his shoulders. Nephesh’ settled his hands on my hips, and I could feel every brush of his fingers as he gripped me there.

“Justine…” His voice was deep and rough. “I’m sorry. I just want you to know what you’re getting into.”

“I know enough.” His hair was so soft against my fingers, I couldn’t stop myself from toying with a few strands. Nephesh’s eyes went half-lidded as he stared down at me.

“Enough to what?”

“Know that I want this.”

He was already shaking his head by the time I finished my statement. “You can’t mean that. This would never work. Outside in the real world.”

“How do you know? You've never even tried.”

“Because I know how dangerous I can be. I won’t put you at risk. Ever. Not even for this.”

“I lost my parents, have been moving around for years. Been alone for most of my life. From where I stand, it sounds like a worthwhile risk.”

“I’m afraid you don’t understand what you’ll end up with.”

I leaned in, hesitating to give him a moment to stop me, but he remained still. I pressed a light kiss against the side of his throat, where his heart rate surely matched the staccato pattern of my own. “A mate. A partner. A future.”