Read Online Wings of Redemption by Sarah Gilman - Free Book Online Page B

through his wet hair. “However, I’ve done a good job of distancing myself from them. I didn’t even realize I was doing it, but it’s for the best.”
    “No, it’s not.”
    He turned his head and stared at her.
    “It’s selfish.”
    “Old age is a significant portion of your lifespan. Not so for me. A couple decades is nothing.”
    “I don’t care how long you live. Every day is precious. Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t care that you lost a couple decades with your father.”
    “You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?”
    “So be it.”
    The demon woman returned with bowls of tomato, cheese, and basil soup along with crackers on wooden trays. This time, there was no hesitation in her smile. She touched Saffron’s arm. “Give him hell. He needs it.”
    “Thank you.” Saffron shot Kes a smug grin.
    “Fantastic,” Kes muttered. “They’re joining forces.”
    The demon bared her fangs and hissed at him, then turned to Saffron. “Let me know if you need a pan to hit him with.”
    “I will.”
    The demon nodded, her expression grave, and retreated.
    “For the record, the possibility has crossed my mind. That’s all. I won’t be that old for a while yet, and I’ll make my choice then.”
    She shook her head. No use arguing further. She’d made her point. And who was she to give him her two cents on such a personal matter? Hopefully, his friends would keep him close and he’d make the right decision.
    “I have every intention of being a feisty old lady.”
    He stirred his soup and smirked. “Oh?”
    “I will live through whatever is happening here and I’ll be one of those one-hundred-year-olds who still works every day.”
    “That’s a plan I can get behind.”
    The warmth in his voice made her pause with her spoon halfway to her mouth.
    “I suppose you’ll own your family’s feather collection when you’re older.”
    Warm. Cold. Like a caress followed by a gunshot. She rubbed her neck as if she had physical whiplash. “No.”
    “No?”
    “I will inherit the collection, but I don’t want it. Like I told you, it horrifies me.”
    “What will you do with it?”
    “I don’t know. I may sell it.”
    “It should be destroyed.” The words dripped venom.
    She winced. “As horrible as the collection is, it’s valuable and important to my family. My sister will have a say. I don’t want anything to do with it, but I don’t have the right to just destroy it.”
    He glowered.
    “It won’t be my choice for a while yet, and I’ll make my decision then.” She threw his own words back at him.
    To her surprise, he grinned. “Well played.”
    They finished their soup in silence. By then, the fire had dried her clothes, at least in the front. However, his wing kept her back warm. Uncertain how he’d react, but willing to risk it at this point, she scooted closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder.
    He encircled her waist with his arms. “Saffron. I have a suggestion.”
    “Hmm?”
    “For as long as you stay in Eden, let’s set the Morin-archangel complication aside.”
    “Set it aside?”
    “A little harmless delusion.” He ran his fingers through her hair and down the back of her neck. Slow. Firm. “So we can spend our time focused on other matters.”
    His tone clearly referred to matters other than her graveside dance. The sensual recollection of their kiss on the pavilion swept over her and her heart tried to kick its way out of her chest. She couldn’t resist the temptation for more of Kes’s warm side. “I think that sounds like a plan.”
    …
    Kestrel did his absolute best to keep his mind out of the gutter and tend to business. When the storm passed, leaving a small patch of blue sky in its wake, he flew Saffron to the tower. Once dressed in dry clothes—she chose a bright blue shirt and jeans this time—he flew them to the medical center and landed on the flat area of the roof.
    She’d gathered her hair in a loose bun. As she walked ahead of him