Synching With the Devil's Son

Chapter 45

Lucien's P.O.V.

This is the moment I've been waiting my entire life for...acceptance. Somebody who understands who I am and wants me around anyway. I can feel my eyes fill, and I try, unsuccessfully, to keep my tears from falling. I pull Bella into my chest, and then for added measure, I wrap my wings around her, cocooning her in a soft, feathery embrace. She's touching me voluntarily, entwining me within her arms, her humanity and her soul. She's unbelievably amazing, and my resolve to make her mine hones into a sharpened point. I want to take all her nightmares away, I want to give her every part of me and lay the world at her feet. I feel her stir in my arms, and I let her go. She steps back and looks into my face, a look of surprise filters through her when she sees my tears. I close my eyes when she reaches out to wipe them with her fingers and I hear her whisper, "Why are you crying? Did I do something wrong?"

I chuckle self-deprecatingly, sniffing while I rub my face with my sleeve. "Wrong? You have done everything persistently right," I tell, her, caressing the side of her soft face with the back of my fingers. "I've been alone for most of my life, and you have made me realize I spent it yearning and longing for someone to accept me." I smile down at her awed expression. "I never thought I would find what my father had with my mother, so I resigned myself to facing my existence alone, eternally alone," I say, reaching for her again. Once I've crushed her against my chest, I kiss the top of her head. "You are amazing, Bella, and I'm not sure what I've done to be so lucky to have met you," I murmur into her hair. "Will you have me?"

She pushes against my chest so I let go of her again because I never want to make her feel confined or uncomfortable. "What are you asking me Lucien?" she asks with a quiver in her voice.

I take a deep breath and say, "I'm asking if you'll allow me time to convince you we belong together." I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and gently caress her face while she stares at me with her mouth hanging open in surprise. Her eyes are shining, the liquid within them remains contained for the moment, so I continue. "I understand this may seem rushed and a bit crazy to you, but I know what I want...I want to worship you and lay the world at your feet, make you laugh, and vanquish your nightmares," I tell her gently, tucking more stray hairs behind her ear. "You mean everything to me." I let go of her and bow, allowing my wings to stretch out and curve around me, When I look back at her, the tears that were pooling in her eyes are silently streaking down her face. Lowering my voice to a whisper I tell her, "I promise not to push you for a decision. I never considered myself a patient man, but when it comes to you, I find I have hordes of it, and that feeling is sublime."

She reaches up to push some of my hair out of my face and pulls me down for a kiss. In my mind, I know this kiss has to be her best kiss, the one she'll remember when she's 100 years old, so I put everything I have into it, all my desire, my yearning, my respect for her, and I hear her softly moan under my lips. I pull back a little and smile at her enraptured expression. "I'm falling for you Bella," I admit quietly. "I hope you understand how monumental that is for me to admit. I've lived a long time and have never felt this way before."