Eternal Sin (Primal Sin #2) - Ariana Nash Page 0,62

reappeared, towel tucked around his waist, his scowl cutting deeper into his face. He ran a hand through his wet hair, gathered it behind him, and bundled it all into a loose bun, and all the while his rack of damp muscles rippled. He knew exactly how Severn tasted and how that body stretched, so very tight beneath Mikhail’s lips and hands.

Mikhail folded his arms and watched Severn snatch the trousers off the bed. Clearly, the shower had done nothing to ease his restlessness.

“We can’t stay long. We find the book and leave—if they let us.” Severn dropped his towel, absolutely unconcerned by his nakedness in Mikhail’s presence. Mikhail’s breath skipped, cinching his lungs. Severn’s powerful thighs had, in the past, trapped Mikhail between them. He’d slapped his own thighs against the backs of Severn’s, his stiff member buried deep, so lost to pleasure the lines between them had blurred.

His body began to wake in wanting. He strode by Severn, snatched up a fresh towel, and ventured into the hot bathroom. “We will explore Haven. At the very least, it will settle your mind.”

“Very well, Your Grace,” Severn said, tightly.

Mikhail showered, pinning his thoughts on how they’d find this mysterious book and away from how Severn could see him through the smoked glass and was no doubt watching him, the same as Mikhail had.

Dried off and dressed in the provided white and gray loose-fitting clothing, he emerged to find Severn peering out the habitat’s small window at the parkland outside. “Gods, give me strength,” he said. “I did not expect to feel like this.”

“And how exactly are you feeling?” Mikhail asked.

“This place is a cage. They won’t let us leave, Mikhail. Angels don’t leave Haven. They tag you and bag you and keep you controlled under all that glass, like you’re a specimen to be studied. You don’t see that?”

“No.” But Severn had always been able to see things differently. “You wanted this.”

“I know… I just…”

More investigation was necessary.

“Come.” Mikhail opened the door and strolled outside into the afternoon light. He shielded his eyes, fighting the glare from the domes, and scanned the beautiful grounds. Tropical flowers towered, topped with splashes of color. Fountains burbled. Pairs of angels wandered by, all dressed in the same clothing. Some nodded respectfully toward Mikhail. In all, it seemed harmless. Peaceful, in fact, considering most angels here were supposed to be bonded and emotional.

“Let’s find the evidence we need and get out of here,” Severn mumbled, glancing behind him as they walked the winding path away from the habitat.

Mikhail lifted his chin. “No harm will come to you under my protection.”

Severn tripped over something on the path. Mikhail caught his arm, preventing him from falling, and met Severn’s wide eyes.

Despite the pledge to protect his enemy, the words had felt right. At least with all these emotions, he was beginning to understand what right actually felt like. Severn let go of his arm, muttered a thanks, and straightened his clothes, then silently fell into step beside Mikhail.

They walked Haven’s meandering parklands and above ground buildings, orientating themselves with the food court, administration centers, and more. There were other levels, below ground, that the general population didn’t have access to. Mikhail made a mental note to try and use his guardianship to gain access, but the light was fading, the footpath lamps flickering to life, guiding them back toward the residential zone.

Mikhail had spoken little, and Severn seemed content to observe his surroundings. His eyes told of the many thoughts he’d probably share later. It was clear he didn’t trust anything they’d seen, and while it all seemed perfectly acceptable on the surface, Mikhail couldn’t deny his own gut feeling—a new experience for him—was warning him that something was wrong with Haven.

Severn came to a sudden stop in the path ahead. Mikhail almost plowed into him, then saw he was staring upward and followed his gaze. Above them, two angels silently danced beneath the glass dome, their light wings softly lit from below. They swooped and soared and spun in the air, their dance so perfectly synchronized that it didn’t seem possible.

They were beautiful.

Severn watched them intently, the soft light illuminating the awe in his eyes. He hadn’t flown in years. He clearly craved it.

Mikhail’s damaged heart ached for Severn’s loss, knowing he’d been the one to take his freedom. And then he’d burned his original wings as Severn had watched on. What kind of creature did such a terrible thing to the only soul