Page 65 of Galen

Knowing his stance on relationships, I had tossed aside all hope of this thing between us leading to anything more. Recently, he’d started standing outside more when he came with me to work or going up to my loft until I closed the shop. Like maybe it was upsetting him too.

Our desire for each other couldn’t be ignored though. Each night, Galen came to my bed. And each morning, he left before I woke.

Although I’d accepted the fact I couldn’t have anything serious with him, my heart hadn’t gotten the memo. With each kiss and soft caress, I fell harder for him.

Friday evening, I left the mansion and approached the water’s edge. The sea greeted me like an old friend. The scent of salt water filled my nose, and I breathed it in, remembering what my dad used to always say about how the sea listened.

I didn’t want to say anything though. The way I felt about Galen? It was something I kept close to my chest. Kept locked away in my heart.

“Simon!” Gray pounced on me, wrapping his arms around my waist and smiling up at me. “I’m about to leave and wanted to say bye.”

“Be safe,” I responded. I knew how strong they were, but the thought of Gray fighting shades caused my chest to tighten anyway. He was just so little and too damn sweet.

“I will.” He stepped back and spread his wings. The black feathers had traces of light blue. “I’m paired with Bell tonight. He won’t let anything bad happen.”

“Good.”

In the time I’d lived at the mansion, I’d seen a few of the warriors’ wings. Mainly Gray’s because he sometimes unfurled them if he got too excited or hyped up on sugar—thanks to Raiden.

However, I still hadn’t seen Galen’s wings. I had touched the tops of them when we had sex, feeling the silky softness of the feathers beneath my fingertips as I brought him to orgasm. But whenever he left to patrol, he’d always walk away from me before flying off. I wanted to see him that way, standing tall with black wings fanning outward.

I bet no one would be more beautiful. More devastating.

Gray lifted off the ground and joined Bellamy in the air before the two of them flew away. I watched after them, still amazed by the sight. I’d probably never get used to it.

I turned my attention back to the ocean. A light breeze came off the water, and I closed my eyes as it ruffled my hair.

“Telling the sea your secrets?”

His voice never failed to send my heart racing.

“No.” I looked at Galen as he came to stand at my side. He wore no shirt, and I followed the lines of his abdominal muscles down to where they disappeared into his jeans. I had traced those same muscles with my tongue last night before taking him into my mouth. The memory caused my pants to feel a bit more snug. “I’m just thinking.”

“I came here to think too,” Galen said, his gaze fixed on me. “I wonder if the same thing troubles us both.”

There it was again, that softness in his eyes. I’d seen it many times over the past few weeks. Conflicting emotions jumbled inside my chest. It was hard to read Galen sometimes.

“I guess only the sea knows,” I said, trying to ignore the ache in my chest. “Are you about to leave for patrol?”

“No. Alastair told me to stay here tonight.”

“Oh.”

Silence passed between us, and with each second, my heart ached more.

“Simon…” Galen turned to me.

“You don’t have to say anything.” I tilted my head up to meet his gaze. I didn’t want to hear him apologize for the millionth time for not returning my feelings.

“I loathe that sadness on your face.” He slid a hand to the side of my neck.

Stars began to appear in the darkening sky above us, and I stared at them a moment. Silent.

“It’s not the first time I’ve fallen for a guy who can’t return my feelings.” I gently pushed his hand aside. “I’m only here until you guys think it’s safe for me to go home, whether that’s a week, a month, or a year from now. My memory will be erased when that happens, right?”

He clenched his jaw. “Alastair thinks you’d be a liability. But I don’t want him to take your memory of me.”

“Why?” I asked, too emotionally beat down to hold it in. “It would be easier for me not to remember you.”