Page 28 of The Death Wish

‘You will leave us too?’ Pitch worked very hard at sounding careless.

Did he sound too needy? Silas was watching him. Concerned again. Damn it.

‘There was nothing said of me.’ Sybilla shook her head. ‘So I assume I continue on with you. But all the others shall remain.’

‘Well, good luck getting that damned wisp away from the simurgh.’ Pitch scoffed. ‘You’ll likely have to trap Scarlet in a witch bottle and hurl it out to sea to keep them from following us.’

Not in a thousand years would he admit he could not imagine saying goodbye to that infernal creature.

‘I’ll take my leave now gentlemen, and leave you to…well, whatever it is one does after one steps out of their grave.’

They bid their farewells, with vague promises to meet for a late breakfast. Sybilla strode away with firm posture and an easy gait; Silas was not the only one revitalised in this graveyard.

The ankou took up his caresses the moment he back was turned. ‘It pains you to imagine leaving Scarlet behind.’

‘I hardly care what they do, Silas.’ Blast this man, could he read bloody minds now?

‘Don’t hide from me, my love.’

And curse all the taints of the Celestial, that drippy endearment was becoming less painful to hear, and Pitch found his tongue too easy to use around Silas. Ready to blurt themortifying truth. So Pitch did the only reasonable thing he could do.

He punched at the ankou’s shoulder. ‘Stop with your syrupy nonsense. I’m just saying, they are a stubborn creature.’

‘And they are not the only one I know.’ Silas fended off Pitch’s distracting attempts to fasten the cloak and wrapped him in an embrace so tight it really wasn’t comfortable at all, but Pitch didn’t go so far as to protest. ‘Perhaps Scarlet shall just do what they please, and stay with us. Now, shall we get out of this grave? I had you brought here so you wouldn’t worry, but I didn’t expect you to lie here with me. I’m grateful for it though.’ He traced the line of Pitch’s jaw. ‘And I thank you for your flame, I felt its warmth where I was.’

‘What happened there?’ Pitch tried to keep his expression smooth, though really he wanted to melt into the ankou, perhaps bring down more dirt upon them so they could hide away here.

‘I was nourished…regained what was lost in the cockaigne. More perhaps.’ Silas was thoughtful. ‘The goddess returned my strength to me.’ His glance took in the graveyard. ‘But it came at the expense of others.’

‘What others?’

‘Those who had not yet chosen to let go.’

‘Lost souls?’

The pained expression on his face was equally painful to see. ‘Yes.’

Pitch took Silas’s face between his palms, warming his skin, letting the fire dance against the new flecks of amber in his eyes. ‘But they at rest now, are they not?’

‘Yes.’

‘And you are well.’ He knew the answer already; it was plain to see. No more dark circles. The ankou was vigorous, grand and imposing in a way Pitch had not known before. He brushed hislips against Silas’s, enjoying the shiver that came. ‘You are very well.’

The ankou touched him, as he so loved to do, and the lines of concern fell away from his face. ‘I feel wonderfully well. Shall I show you how much so? Let me take you back to our room, and I shall make you moan for me until you beg me to stop. Would you like that?’

If ever a pointless question had been asked.

‘I suppose I might be agreeable.’

Silas’s deliciously deep chuckle sounded again. He ankou shifted onto his knees, and the cloak fell away, leaving nothing to the imagination; for which Pitch was eternally grateful. ‘My trousers and boots should be here somewhere.’

Silas barely leaned on Pitch as they both stepped up and out of the grave. In fact, he was nimble; swift and graceful, despite his hefty size.

‘Why bother with them?’ Pitch was eager to see what else the ankou was newly swift and graceful with. ‘I’m just going to remove them.’

Silas tugged him in close, and delivered a fast and breathless kiss. His tongue demanding entrance, his body seeking to melt into Pitch’s. ‘I warn you,’ he mumbled. ‘I am quite invigorated. I may wear you out.’

Pitch blinked, the blood thundering in his ears. ‘Oh my dear, that is a challenge I was born to accept.’