Chapter 115

Holding him there, joined, as close as two human beings could perchance be, it was as if they'd broken thru some kind of barrier. She was drifting, untethered—yet tied to him. Connected. While the relaxation of her life fell away, he was there, strong and strong, to core her.

She kept combing his hair lower back even when it no longer fell over his eyes, simply to be touching him. She was afraid to speak, afraid all the love she felt would simply come tumbling out. So she stared her love, and stroked her love, and prayed he identified it for what it was.

Gabriel held her eyes and did not waver, searching her gaze. Then he kissed her, softly, tenderly, leaving his lips against hers. He had one hand at her back, the different over her head. He included her with his physique and she did not desire him to leave.

“Is it like that for everyone?” she whispered eventually, fearing she was feeling something the Chimera thought was normal.

He shook his head. “I�