“There is one—how would you put it—loophole.” “Loophole? More like a giant cavern if I have wings.”

“I have so much love inside me, Jason. So much. And I have never been allowed to shower it on anyone--no one wanted it. Let me stretch the wings of my heart with you.”

“You do realize this makes your wings even more unique.""Are you saying you shot me as a cosmetic procedure?”

“Even as she spoke, silver blue flashed on her other side and then Illium was standing beside her, his wing touching Elena's in an intimacy that made Raphael raise an eyebrow. Illium's lips curved in a wicked smile that did little to hide the intensity of his emotions. I would not watch you die again, Sire. His veins stood out against his skin as he gripped the wrist of one hand with the other.Raphael met those eyes of gold that had stood beside him for centuries. If I had done so, I would have gone knowing you would keep my heart safe.Illium's gaze went to Elena. Always.”

“Aren‘t you going to get up?"He put a hand on the curve of her hip, a possessive gesture that had already becomefamiliar. "No. Let‘s have more sex.”

“Once— and most of the night definitely counts as once—you can write off as a mistake. But you do this again and he's going to start thinking he has rights over you.” She knew predatory changeling men. They liked control. They particularly liked their women to submit. And Riley was one big giant hunk of testosterone-fueled Neanderthal wolf—he probably thought her submission was his right. She snorted. “Not in this lifetime.”

“Thought you were--''--Raphael said--''I said, no way in hell--''Damn straight--''--and Ransom was ready to come--''--woke up and I had wings!”