The moss felt cool beneath Quinn’s bare feet as he ran through the darkened forest. Rain stung his eyes, but he didn’t slow. He kept pace with Air, weaving through the trees.
Air was messing with him. He glanced over now and then, purple eyes lit with mischief, a grin ghosting across his face. He hadn’t even broken a sweat. Wasn’t hindered in the slightest by the treacherous underfoot conditions, or the relentless deluge that had soaked them both right down to the bone.
No. Air was in his absolute element out here.
Lightning lit the canopy above, and another presence registered. As sleek and graceful as Air, but low to the ground. A silent, miniature predator.
She was his. Once. In another life.
The trees thinned out, and a clearing opened up. Air slowed, coming to a stop at the centre of it. He turned around to face Quinn, drenched but absolutely glowing.
Quinn hesitated at the treeline, breaths heaving, lungs burning, heart hammering. He glanced down at himself. Neglected. Out of shape. He shouldn’t have been this wrecked by the pace they’d kept.
“Quinn.”
His eyes met Air's, the image going blurry from the drops of water.
“Azael?”
The image wavered.
“It’s okay, Quinn.” Air stretched out his hands, beckoning him. Quinn staggered towards him, a sob breaking from his throat, what little strength he had dissolving with the rain. “That’s it. You’re okay. Everything’s going to be okay now.”
Quinn stumbled. Fell to his knees in the moss-covered forest floor. Fingers combed through his hair, and Air cupped his skull, tipping his head back.
“I’m sorry,” Quinn breathed. Air smiled down at him. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
Air guided him to his feet. Pulled him closer. Wrapped his arms around him and breathed him in.
He was trembling.
“I’ve missed you so fucking much,” Air murmured. “I never doubted you.”
Lips and fangs brushed Quinn's throat, and Air said the one word he needed to hear: “Mine.”
A shudder of relief rolled through Quinn at the growled claim, and he sagged against his mate.
___
Quinn’s eyes flew open and he dragged air into his lungs, flailing against the warmth that held him.
“Easy,” a deep voice rumbled, strong arms tightening their hold. “I’ve got you.”
Quinn focused. Green eyes. Kindness. Strength.
Earth.
What the fuck?
The hold relented and Quinn tried to sit up. They were on the floor in the infirmary. Earth’s back against the wall. Quinn cradled in his lap like a sleeping kit.
The room was too quiet, bar the soft sounds of mechanical whirrs and beeps. The scents of antiseptic, smoke and blood tickled Quinn’s nostrils, offending his confused senses.
A relentless ache in his heart where something metaphysical had torn...
Reality slammed into him like a fucking car crash.
He couldn’t breathe. The echo of Air's touch still burned, but the warmth was gone. Cold reality took its place.
Air.
YOU ARE READING
Essence of Quinn Parts 3 & 4 (MxM)
FantasyMxM Follow up to Essence of Quinn Parts 1&2. Quinn must face his past to be able to move on with his future. He's overcome most of his demons since he was summoned by Secondo and he's gone up against destiny itself, but a past transgression will co...
