***Alexis***
I couldn't stop smiling - despite the muscles in my cheeks hurting, I simply couldn't stop.
Again I gazed at the woman walking next to me. She was eagerly taking in every word I said on how humanity had progressed this past millennium. Her gasps and giggles were like music to my very soul and I couldn't help myself in pulling her close to me each time we had to make room on the pavement for people to pass us. She didn't mind.
I wasn't sure whether she had realized it yet, but I sure did - this wonderful woman at my side was my soulmate. I knew it from the moment I heard that delightful giggle coming from above and gazed upon her for the first time in the factory hall. Her beauty and grace blew me away and her voice was sheer music to my soul. I loved her there and then and would gladly lay down my life for her if I could, even though we hadn't even met. She was mine to protect, mine to love.
Mine
.
My smile grew larger, straining my cramped cheek muscles even further. I relished in the possessiveness that came with finding your soulmate, as I also knew that it would fade eventually. For the moment, I gladly indulged in it.
Again I peeked at Eir and realized she also displayed possessive behavior, whether she was conscious of it or not - pulling me close when women would approach us or unconsciously steering us away from succubi when they were around. It made me smile even more.
We leisurely made our way to my apartment to get her something to eat, since Dante's vampiric nature made grocery shopping a useless pastime for him. At least, that's what I told her. The true reason is that I wanted her all to myself as quickly as possible.
I did not like other men gawking at her. My rational voice would say people stared at her because of her foreign outfit, staff and white eyes, but my possessiveness got terribly in the way of my rational thinking. I had never wished I could growl before, but I sure did now...
During our walk we came across so many novelties that Eir was interested in hearing about.
She was fiercely intelligent - soaking in all I had to say and asked brilliant questions on matters that were still unclear to her. I was astounded. Never in my entire existence had I met such a delightful, inquisitive and cheerful person. I couldn't place the descriptions I had heard about her that she was a cold and distant immortal-hating woman - impossible, simply impossible.
Cyrea told me that a lot of pain lay hidden behind those beautiful white eyes of hers - pain that had caused her to hate us immortals so. My smile lessened, giving my cheeks some unintended respite. Both of us seemed to carry scars on our souls. Again I gazed at her, happily listening to her chatting away about the folly of "decorative replica plants".
She knew about my past. She must have. Otherwise there would be no way where she could see my aura and not be curious or shocked. I saw her glance at my wing occasionally though, when she thought I wasn't looking. Her face would temporarily frame itself in sorrow and compassion with an occasional glint of anger. I suppressed a sigh. There was nothing anyone could do about it now... I had accepted it, and so would she, eventually.
We had just entered the elevator to my penthouse when Eir suddenly halted her musings on why people began using electronic vacuums instead of regular brooms. She lifted her non-staff-wielding hand to gently cup my face and looked intently in my eyes.
"What is the matter, Alexis?" she asked me softly, concern clearly showing in her eyes. Cyrea had also told me earlier it was difficult to read Eir because of her lack of irises, but I had no difficulty with this whatsoever - I could perfectly see every emotion in them, like they were a blank canvas for me to explore.
I let out the sigh I suppressed earlier and covered her hand with mine, rubbing her fingers with my thumb. The corresponding smile I got from Eir erased the concern from her face and made my heart pick up its pace.
"I wish we would have met... before..." I admitted softly, unable to keep the sorrow from my voice. "Before I was reduced to a mere shadow of the angel that I used to be."
Compassion flooded her eyes.She definitely knew - her silence was proof. I sighed again and looked away with shame filled eyes.
Eir put her staff in the corner of the elevator and took my face in both her hands, turning my face towards her. "You, Alexis, are the most wonderful and amazing man I have ever met... I cannot imagine you were more amazing or wonderful before your fall. It is simply impossible," she whispered, letting her fingers gently stroke my cheeks.
My soul soared at hearing her words. What an amazing woman, and one of the so very very few who did not see failure when they looked at me. I gazed deep into Eir's eyes and marveled again at their beauty. Slowly I leant in towards her, listening to her heart beat increase as I drew near. I tucked her soft, ashen blonde hair behind her ear and caressed her cheek with my thumb. Her heart rate shot up rapidly when I brought my face close to hers. I heard her breath hitch when my lips found hers.
"Thank you..." I whispered with a trembling voice, before I let my lips touch hers and kissed her softly for the first time.
A breathless whimper escaped Eir's mouth and she pressed her lips against mine, tentatively opening her mouth to let my tongue play with hers. The kiss was both the softest and most electrifying I had ever experienced. I slid my hands through her hair, pulling her face closer to mine and deepening this wonderful kiss, wishing it would last forever. Her soft sighs and mewls made my heart flutter.
We completely lost track of time. Unfortunately for us the elevator didn't and it
pinged
us out of our private little moment. Eir tensed and looked around with wide eyes, panting slightly from the intense kiss, to gawk at the doors silently sliding open and revealing the hallway to my apartment.
I took her hand and placed it on my arm, taking her staff in my other hand and led her into my home. The door opened automatically - its automated lock detecting the key in my pocket. I could tell by Eir's reaction that she was both curious and impressed, and was relieved she didn't ask me about it at this moment.
I led her into my home, overjoyed at the momentous occasion of bringing home my soulmate. I was curious to see what she would think of my modern and minimalistic interior, since it was probably very different from what she was used to in her time. Eir didn't seem to notice however, and was immediately drawn to the overwhelming view of the city. She gasped at the sight of the explosion of colors from the impending sunset above the city skyline and her hand slid out from under my arm as she wandered over to the vast wall of glass separating us from the view. She tentatively placed her hands on the glass panes and gasped again at the sheer magnificence of the view. I placed her staff on the kitchen counter and stood next to her while she greedily took in all that she could see.
I slid my arm around her waist and pulled her close to me. She sighed pleasantly and leaned into me, resting her head on my chest and wrapping her arms around my waist. I closed my eyes and took a moment to enjoy this intimate simplicity. I placed a gentle kiss on her head and deeply inhaled her wonderful scent. Having her here, in my home, completed me in a way I didn't know existed.
"What a tremendous view..." Eir sighed blissfully.
I chuckled. That was the reason I bought the place.
My smile faded when I thought of the
real
reason though... "This view is the closest I can get to soaring the skies..." I mumbled softly.
Eir lifted her head to look in my eyes. I did my best to mask the pain I felt - it wasn't like I could grow my wings back.
No - what was done was done.
I managed to procure a smile when I looked at Eir. "However, all the events in my life have brought me here. With you. I would gladly give up my wings any day to be with you, my lady," I whispered, leaning in for a tender kiss.
Eir answered my kiss with a delightful sigh and wrapped her arms tighter around me. I felt my cock slowly harden and wanted nothing more than to make love to this wonderful woman.
I broke our kiss and stroked her cheek with my thumb. "I would like to take you into my bedroom..." I said softly, carefully watching her reaction. A myriad of emotions were visible in her eyes - joy, surprise, excitement, but also anxiety.
"I would love to as well, but..." she answered, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I've never been with a man before..." she confessed.
