Winter's Knight (23 page)

“Such a shame...” Shea murmured, and paused for Lucian’s laughter, which dwindled as the atmosphere took on undertones of seriousness. “Speaking of endings,” Shea said evenly. “I heard that one Mr. Boehler met his deathinprisonthe other day.”
“Heavens, but the rumor mill does grind,” Lucian said, tryingand failingto keep the abject satisfactionout ofhis voice.
“But you wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”Shea asked, archly.
“Me? Wield the ability to ensure that the man who tortured and tried to kill my reason for existence would lose his balance on a slippery shower bench in full view of other inmate witnesses and break his neck?” Lucian clucked his tongue. “I’m flattered, but even I do not control so much.” Lucian smiled, as it was precisely the truth. He didn’t have suchconnections.
So it was a wonderful thing that Kris Fawkes definitelydid.
“A pity, really,” Lucian continued. “Meeting such a fate the day after he signed a fullconfession that will, no doubt, cause much trouble for many nefarious creatures in our fair city. I’m sure there are hundreds of men gnashing their teeth that Gary went in accident instead ofwithpurpose.”
Instead of asking any of the questions Lucian thought were coming, Shea reached up for a kiss, slow and sweet. “I’m sure,” Shea said, with a tired quirk of lips. “And speaking of gnashing teeth... uhm... I told Mom that we’d be coming over to dinner next weekend, and I swear she thought it was the second comingofChrist, she was so beside herself.”
“Oh,” Lucian said with a false depth ofkeen insight. “That explains the voicemail inquiring about casseroles and cider. Not quite the traditional Communion fare, but I’llmake do.”
“Mm.” Shea’s sigh had laughter and content threaded through like gold woven into a tapestry of pastoral peace. “Good.” He paused, pressing closer to Lucian’s side, and Lucian hoped the willingness to stay would last a lifetime. “I can go home again,” Shea said softly. “Thank you.”
“Beloved, all I do has and always will be for you.” Lucian kissed Shea’s forehead, settling into Shea’s warmth, and conversation became steady breathing became slumber. Lucian woke some hours later, rested and entwined with Shea, and outside the sun was beginningto shine.
End.
If you liked this book you might like: Hearts Under Fire, “The New Deal,” “Swing Shift,” and “Luck in the Making”