Reap (Scarred Souls, #2)(85)

As one song ended, the crackled sound of a familiar song drifted across the rooftop garden. Zaal stilled, his hand halting on the back of mine. Dinah Shore’s “I’ll Walk Alone” drifted through the French doors. I smiled.

This was our song. A song that meant the world to both of us.

As Dinah’s words of a lover’s promise sounded, Zaal’s mouth moved to my ear and he whispered, “Dance with me.”

My heart fluttered at his request. All I’d ever wanted was for a man to hold me as we danced. And Zaal had passed all my expectations.

I nodded my head to his invitation and moved forward, only for Zaal to take me in his strong arms. He lifted me from the bed and carried me into the living room. Sliding me down his body, I gripped his strong arms. I stared into his green eyes.

He looked stunning, breathtaking. His olive skin was golden in the blue light of the full moon shining through the windows.

Silently, Zaal lifted my hand and placed it on his shoulder, then my other in his hand, which he brought to the warmth of his chest. Zaal’s free hand wrapped around my waist and he pulled me flush against his hot skin.

Then we began to move.

Zaal led us slowly around the room and I pressed my cheek to his chest. I closed my eyes, letting the old song express to Zaal everything that I felt.

We had found our own peace in our brutal world. And I wouldn’t change it for anything. This was my heaven. Zaal was everything.

He owned me.

Possessed me.

Was soldered to me in every possible way.

As the song drew to its close, Zaal’s hand on my waist traveled north to rest under my chin. He guided my head up and he fixed his gaze on mine.

Green to brown.

“Talia,” he whispered. I nuzzled against his cheek. Zaal’s head leaned down and he said, “Potzeluy menya.” “Kiss me.” I smiled wide and a soft contented sigh left his parted lips. Lifting my chin, he crushed his mouth to mine on a low hum. His lips were soft. I felt his love, all of his love, in this one simple touch.

Breaking from my mouth, Zaal pressed his forehead to mine and whispered, “You are … for me.”

I smiled again. I whispered back with absolute conviction, and tears in my eyes, “I am … for you.”

They were our own words.

Straight from the heart.

Because I was his.

And he was mine.

A Kostava and a Tolstaia.

Heart to heart.

Scarred soul to scarred soul.

*

Unnamed Female

Manhattan, New York

The door to my apartment burst open. Footsteps pounded down the hallway. I jumped from my seat and faced the door, my heart thumping. Panic quickly consumed me.

Had they found me?

Did they know I was here?

Had they finally come for me?

I held my breath, just waiting, when Avto rounded the corner and ran into the room. I exhaled a long relieved breath at my old friend, then noticed his aged face was flushed, and he was shaking.

Frozen to the spot, fear seizing my limbs, I could feel the incredible heat from the open fire burning my back. Avto fought for breath and I kept waiting, waiting for him to speak.

“Avto?” I whispered in question, eventually drawing lost breath.

I watched him swallow hard and his dark eyes met mine. “He’s alive, miss. I’ve just discovered he’s alive.”

My eyes widened and my hands joined Avto’s in shaking. “Which one?” I asked, voice trembling.

Avto stepped forward, his old body moving slowly. My pulse pounded in my neck when he informed, “Zaal, miss. Zaal is alive.”

My knees went weak and I dropped to the floor at the news. Staring at Avto, with tears in my eyes, a single word slipped in a whisper from my lips.…

“Sykhaara.”





Playlist

The National — I Need My Girl Lorde — Glory And Gore

Billie Marten — In For The Kill Emile Haynie — Come Find Me Of Monsters And Men — I Of The Storm Lykke Li — Possibility

X Ambassadors — Renegades Five Knives — Savages

Johnnyswim — You And I

Imagine Dragons — Warriors Marina and The Diamonds — Forget NEEDTOBREATHE — Multiplied Emika — Wicked Game

WrongChilde — Love Is A Battlefield (feat. White Sea) Sia — Chandelier (Piano Version) Lia Ices — Love is Won

First Aid Kit — Long Time Ago Dinah Shore — I’ll Walk Alone Savage Garden — You Can Still Be free RHODES — Breathe

To Listen on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/user/authortilliecole/playlist/6ObTTCIweNU6wCguQkzzha





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Acknowledgments

I can’t believe I’m writing these acknowledgements.

I feel like I am dreaming. I feel like I am in some kind of fairy tale—as dark as that fairy tale may be—that I never want to wake up from.

To Mam and Dad, thank you for all the support. How crazy is this moment? Love you both.