The Devil Touched Me Gently

rmth that was more than just from blankets or the fire's glow-it arose from the echo of Amon's touch trailing from the warmth of

ething about him

was dif

red of his gaze flickered more than glowed. His body was still strong, but that strength now see

l again with a gentle p

eaming-or was

d not understand but somehow comprehended. Name

se... Amon's name, muttered

e of the dim fire in the hearth. The whispers had not stopped. They s

, threw on his cloak,

till. Everything felt lik

laden with the pulse of primordial tremors awaited. Amon was kneeling in the middle of th

unison with the tre

ed closer. "Wha

tayed

his fingers before a wave of heat slammed into and back away from him. It was not a burn,

ly Amon's

t

go

. Inf

d into clarity then

ours. He shall not lo

his head. "S

gripping Eli's arms, and murmured, "You weren't supposed to

i blinked throu

h realms-Heaven and Hell. They sense it now. My bond with you awake

at him. "Be

se of

m on Amon's cheek.

as though he was starving.

e not

exhaled. The shadows retreated i

spered. "And it will test every wo

not a

shoul

"I was afraid before yo

"You remind me of s

ack. "Someon

protecting me. And f

tween them with an

protecting you," E

ed, Amon smiled. "You wou

ready

li couldn't

truths yet unknown. The whispering had indeed ceased, but something was still ling

pped into a slumber, th

silence. Fire rained down from above, war etched across the s

hen a

ms

for the winged figure with

the voice whispere

will remembe

, panting, tears cat

derstand what

thing

t about a fallen ang

mething older, was

, soul-splitting love-