Chapter Fourteen

Dante

Little puffs of white clouds dotted the blue sky, and the sun turned the inky night into a bright sunny day. Even with the warmth of the rays, the temperature had been cold. Unlike the humans who were bundled up in thick jackets and warm scarves, Dante didn’t feel the frigid temperatures. Being an angel, he was immune to the fluctuations that came with the changing of the seasons, just as the spirits confined to their mortal bodies weren’t affected. Dante was glad that Seth didn’t feel the cold, though he was a bit disappointed. It would have been an excuse for him to have Seth in his arms once more.

Mental images of the two of them snuggled beneath a comforter in a bed of their own had Dante smiling. He envisioned exploring each other’s naked skin with eager hands and lips.

Not that he knew from experience; Dante had never really cuddled before. He’d seen others do it while sitting on a bench in the park, or while lying on a blanket after a picnic. But what he knew about the act was as an observer; strictly intellectual rather than practical knowledge. While he’d had sex with other angels, there had never been any tender moments such as cuddling. He wanted to experience that intimacy with Seth, yet Dante doubted it would ever happen.

Dante had taken the fleeting opportunity to wrap his arms around Seth in the alleyway. The moment he pulled the young man into his embrace, Dante was glad he hadn’t stepped away. The feeling of being that close to Seth was euphoric. Sadly, they’d had to get away from the area for a multitude of reasons. Not in the least was the fact that they didn’t need to draw any more attention to themselves than they already had.

Spending time alone with Seth in a quiet place, even if it was only to talk, had excited Dante. It was something that felt right, like the two of them belonged together. Yet, sitting at the top of the lighthouse, Dante felt sad. He’d sampled a small taste of what it felt like having Seth in his arms. Maybe he was greedy for wanting more of what he and Seth had already shared. Perhaps it was selfish of him to wish he could spend eternity with the man for whom he had such deep feelings. The last thing Dante wanted was for Seth to lose himself and become cursed to an existence of aimless wandering. At the same time, Dante wanted more time with his love.

Dante vowed that every moment he and Seth spent together would be one he would carry with him for eternity. Every touch they shared was one more than they had before. For that, he was grateful. No matter how long the two of them had, he would cherish it all.

The only thing Dante wished was that Seth didn’t have to deal with the negative emotions and stress he was facing.

When Seth started to apologize for freaking out, Dante did what he could to console him. He couldn’t castigate Seth for becoming unhinged. Quite a bit had happened to him. He’d almost laughed at the irony when Seth said it hadn’t been much fun. Dante could think of several more appropriate terms for what Seth had been experiencing. Not much fun had been an understatement; one he was sure Seth knew better than anyone else—including Dante.

Unable to restrain himself, Dante reached over to take Seth’s hand. Feeling the solidness when their fingers twined together was paradise. Giddiness bubbled up from deep within; a warmth rushed through him. Dante had all but beamed when Seth spoke of feeling like he knew him even though he didn’t really.

Though he picked his words carefully, Dante hoped Seth would read between the lines—know the actual depth of Dante’s feelings for him. A small part of Dante knew, however, that Seth’s final decision would only be more difficult with that knowledge. Unfortunately, Dante hadn’t chosen his words carefully enough.

For as much as he tried, Dante couldn’t stop the words tumbling out; when he spoke of the possibility that perhaps their souls were meant to be together.

A frown tugged down the corners of Dante’s lips. Whether or not Seth knew it was because Dante missed their physical connection, he couldn’t discern. Perhaps it was for the best that Seth pulled away from him, turned the topic back to Nelson and dealing with the photos. Getting Seth to finish his business on earth so that he could move on was important.

Dante didn’t want Seth’s soul to spend eternity seeking something he would never find. He tried not to focus on what he doubted he’d ever have. However, given the fact that there was a very real possibility he would end up becoming a fallen angel and Seth would find his final destination in the eternal light of the afterlife, Dante found it hard to focus on much else.

Dante silently shook his head to clear his mind. He didn’t have time to allow his thoughts to go down that road. Regardless, Seth was going to choose his path. He’d stay where he had decided to go. Whether Dante was a fallen angel or still in the good graces of his creators was irrelevant. Once Seth made a choice, Dante would not be able to visit. They would be separated eventually, and rehashing that inevitability was futile.

Concentrating on the conversation about Nelson, Dante tried to come up with some idea of what they could do. They would eventually need to go back into the city. Figure out the location of the memory card. Getting the photos to the authorities needed to be their primary goal.

They couldn’t let just anyone have the photographs though. They needed to be with someone who wasn’t connected to the mob—someone who would be able to help bring The Doctor to justice.

Seth wrapped his arms around Dante and rested his head on the angel’s chest. When Seth didn’t pull away, Dante relaxed, sure he could smell Seth’s scent. Whether it was his imagination, or his memories filling in the smell that was so distinctly Seth before he had died; leather and fresh, clean soap, with undertones of a summer day, it soothed Dante. Either way, Dante wasn’t going to question it. Especially given the fact that when he was alone, he would close his eyes and imagine that aroma surrounding him.

Dante knew they needed to get back on task, but to feel Seth against him was better than anything else. What made it better was that it was a mutual embrace initiated by Seth. Everything else was pushed away for the moment. Nothing else existed, except for the two of them in each other’s arms.