Jack A Grim Reaper Romance (22 page)

Lilly held onto Corwin’s hand, not wanting to let him go. “Let me stay with him, Mason.”

There was a long silence as Mason debated and Lilly held her breath. “As you wish, my love.”

She could hear the pang in Mason’s voice, but also noted that he did not use her name. Instead, by using a term of affection, he made sure Corwin knew there was something between them.

Corwin stood and focused an angry gaze on Mason. “Have ye a claim on her, sir?”

Mason stepped forward, his jaw tight. “She’s her own person, and makes her own decisions. No one can claim her, and you’d be wise to remember it.” He then turned to Lilly. “Do as you wish, aye? You know your way back to my bed when you’re ready.” He gave her a peck on the cheek and then left, closing the door hard behind him.

Her cheeks flushed hot with embarrassment, though she told herself there was no reason for it. She fought the urge to apologize to Corwin, and instead held her head high. He may be confused by their actions, but she’d done nothing wrong. For all the faults she could find in this world, at least here she was treated no different than a man would be. And in a world where a woman was a man’s equal, there was no place for puritanical ideals.

“I dinna understand.” He searched her eyes, though what he expected to find she knew not. The girl she’d once been existed no more—not after living the last ten years as a reaper.

“It’s not like the world of the living, my love—and we do not abide by the same rules. I’ll do my best to explain it all to you, but I do think it’s best you get some rest first. You’ve been through a lot, and there’s more yet to come.”

“If you say so.” He let out a weary sigh, his shoulders sagging with exhaustion. “Is there some place I can bed down for the night?”

“Come.” Lilly took his hand and led him towards the door when he stopped her.

“Lilly…” He shook his head. “I ne’er got over ye. I’m sorry if I was difficult with ye just now. I dinna mean to judge.”

He closed the distance between them and with her face cupped in both his hands he kissed her, the years between them melting away. She closed her eyes and leaned against him, his strong arms holding her close.

“Lilly, I love ye. That’ll ne’er change, no matter what world we’re in.”

She felt her heart swell, relief flooding over her. For once, all seemed right with the world. “Come, love. It’s time you got some rest.”

***

Exhaustion quelled Corwin’s objections about Lilly keeping him company in his sleeping chambers. Sleep took him almost immediately, but while he slumbered, she stood vigil. This would be the last time she’d gaze upon the face she fell in love with.

As light broke over the horizon, Lilly watched his features magically shift and change. Moments later she was laying by a different man—different yet the same. He was still handsome—all reapers were, for it made their job easier—but some things had changed, some had not. His jaw was stronger, his cheeks more defined. She could still see the man he once was, but… that man was gone. A tear escaped while her fingers gently ran over his cheek and lips.

Her mind then wandered to Mason, and it made her heart ache. Her feelings for him had always been complicated by outside forces, and now was no different. She did love him, but seeing Corwin again only reminded her of the love she had tried her best to forget—tried and failed miserably.

Perhaps it was all for the best. She never did anything but annoy Mason and cause him problems. Yet she could not stop thinking of the times they’d spent together, and wondered what he must now think of her. Guilt nagged at her, for he’d been nothing but understanding about Corwin, even when it was clear he was none too happy about the situation.

It was early and Corwin would not be up for some time. The transition would leave his body exhausted and he’d need sleep to recover. Slipping out from under the covers, Lilly made her way to Mason’s room, though she hadn’t a clue what she wanted with him. What she did know was that everything felt off kilter and she needed to see Mason to try and sort out her feelings.

Not wanting to disturb his sleep, she let herself in. She wasn’t sure if he’d been awake or if she woke him, but by the time she got to his bedside, he was already shifting over to make room for her.

“I’ve gotten used to having you in my bed, love, and find it difficult to sleep without you.” He held the covers out of the way so she could crawl in beside him.

Snuggling up against him, he wrapped her in a tight embrace, relief and guilt both washing over her. Though their relationship was tumultuous, it was also familiar, whereas with Corwin, it felt like she’d gone back to her past, a past that no longer quite fit who she’d become.

“How are you holding up?” Mason kissed the top of her head and held her tight.

“I don’t know. It’s great to have him back, but… everything’s so different.” She looked up at him. “
I’m
so different, and frankly, I don’t know that I can go back to being that other person. Still… I’ve spent so little time with him. And he’s still adjusting to this world.”

“I know you haven’t found this life easy, but you certainly have come a long way from the frightened girl that came over from the living. This life offers you freedoms you’d not have otherwise, especially as a woman.” He brushed a stray curl away from her face. “You’ve changed, my love. You’re a reaper. Not some innocent and naïve girl. If you still want him, he’ll need to accept that or you’ll be nothing but miserable.”

“That’s the problem. I don’t know what I want.” She looked up at him, his eyes black in the shadows of dawn, his thoughts hidden in the darkness. Her emotions were a mess and it felt as if she would drown in them.

Trying to make of light of the matter, she teased, “I knew it was a bad idea to fall in love with you.”

“How could you resist my charms?”

The humor in his voice had her laughing as she choked back tears, her emotions still running high. She’d never been one for tears, yet it seemed the last day or two had left her overwhelmed.

Mason continued, his tone now serious. “Whatever you decide, you’ll need to give it time. He died only hours ago, and this reunion’s been a shock to you both. In the mean time, we still have Jack to find, Stefan to worry about, and Nelson to murder. The way I see it, we’ve got a busy schedule to keep. Frankly, having Corwin around might be a good way to ensure your safety.”

“Perhaps you’ve not noticed, but the people around you aren’t fairing too well. Pierce has barely recovered from his stab wound, and your driver’s still not up to all his duties. This better not be a ploy to get Corwin killed before he’s had a chance to build up his defenses.”

“Lilly, my love, it’s no more than a ploy to keep
you
safe—something you seem dead set against.” Mason grumbled while shaking his head. “I swear, you’ll be the death of me. And given that I cannot die, that’s saying a lot.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

The one change Lilly hadn’t been able to see in the dark of night was the color of Corwin’s hair. It had always gleamed with a touch of red when caught in the sunlight, but it was now a deep reddish brown, copper and gold threading through rich mahogany locks. His green eyes, however, stayed the same—the striking green of fresh spring moss.

“Would you like to accompany me on my reaps? It might be easiest to see what we do first hand.” Lilly took another bite of her eggs, chancing a glance at Mason. She knew not how he would feel about taking Corwin out so soon after crossing over.

Corwin gave her a smile that reached his eyes and made her heart flutter. “I’d like that.”

Mason, unfortunately, had other things in mind.

“I’m sorry, love, but I’ve yet to see that first murder through your eyes, and I’m afraid it can wait no longer. Pierce, are you feeling well enough to take her reaps?” When he nodded, Mason added, “Corwin, you can join Pierce.”

With all that had occurred, the last thing she wanted was to have Mason digging through her head. She wanted to protest, but knew it would do no good and didn’t want to worry Corwin. “If you must.”

“Did ye witness a murder?” Corwin’s brows were drawn together, worry in his eyes. He then turned to Mason. “I hope ye’ve not been putting her in danger, sir.”

“If you know Lilly at all, then you’re fully aware that she needs no help getting herself into trouble. As for the murder, she may not have witnessed it, but in this case, she is the only one who can reconstruct what occur.”

She inwardly groaned, hoping she’d not have to explain why exactly she was the only one to have that pleasure. It was clear Corwin knew she had relations with Mason, but she’d rather not discuss the men who’d shared her bed since becoming a reaper. Though Corwin looked at her in question, he said nothing and did not pursue it. Problem was, he was an intelligent man who missed little—and anything he missed, she was sure Pierce would be happy to explain, his loyalty to mischief and Mason trumping all else.

Lilly turned to Mason. “Let’s get this over with. But when we’re done, I want some time alone with Corwin.”

“Well, I doubt you’ll be in any condition to go wandering about the city on reaps.” Mason sipped his tea as if he had not a care in the world. “Besides, I have plans to find Jack’s hiding hole, and you my dear, are going to help me.”

Lilly took a deep breath to keep from groaning yet again. “And how do you plan on doing that?”

Mason shrugged, a smirk upon his lips. “Jack strikes me as the sentimental sort—when he’s not hacking women to pieces. Wouldn’t you agree?”

She was shocked that Mason could be caring and understanding just last night, and now, in the light of day, he was back to his old ways and being a bastard. A headache started to throb at her temples, the pressure in her head making it feel like her brain would start to leak out her ears. She could feel Corwin’s gaze on her, only making matters worse.

“What do you want from me, Mason? Do you think I don’t know what you’re trying to do?”

He looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. “My dear, I know not what you’re implying. What I do know is if Jack holds certain events close to his heart, then perhaps he’d return to where they occurred. That cottage by the sea—it appeared to be a memorable moment for the two of you. Or am I mistaken?”

Her cheeks flushed hot with embarrassment and anger. “Why do you do this, Mason?” Furious and hurt, she pushed away from the table and left the room, unable to look at Corwin. Heated words could be heard coming from the dining room, but she did not make her escape fast enough, and Corwin caught up to her in the hall.

“Lilly… Are ye all right?” He ran a hand down her arm, though her back was still to him, unable to find the find the courage to face him. She could only imagine what he must think of her.

He gently turned her around and lifted her chin, so she’d be forced to look at him. “Och, love, ye know I’d ne’er judge ye.”

“How can you not? I’m certainly not the woman you were once betrothed to.” A tear escaped, though she’d not apologize for the things she’d done or the person she now was.

He brushed her tear away. “I know nothing of this world or what ye’ve been through, but ye’re still the woman I fell in love with. Yer heart hasna changed, and I’ll not question the decisions ye’ve made.”

She took a deep breath and steeled herself, for she’d not dance around the truth. “Even if I’ve willingly shared my bed with others?” She locked eyes with his, daring him to go against the words he’d only just spoken.

She saw the hurt, but she also saw him push it aside. “Ten years is a long time to leave a bed empty, my love.” He cupped her face in his hands and nuzzled her, his lips only a breath away. “And I cannot judge ye when they’re my own sins. I ne’er married, but truth is I was lonely without ye.”

Lilly gave Corwin a quick kiss, unable to stay away when he was so close. “You still mean the world to me. I don’t know if we can pick up where we left off, but I’d certainly like to get to know each other once more.”

Mason cleared his throat to make his presence known. “I don’t mean to interrupt your happy reunion, but there’s work to be done.”

“You can go through my head and recreate the murder, but I then want to spend the remainder of the day with Corwin. If you still want to go to the cottage, we can go tomorrow.” She cared not that she was being bold.

Mason held her gaze, and she could see him debating whether he should be amiable or whether he should force her to do his will as chancellor. He let out a weary breath, his decision made. “Very well. You can have your day once we’re through, but tomorrow, you’re mine, Lilly. I’ll need your head cleared of distractions. ”

Corwin had been carefully watching them, and now tilted his head in Mason’s direction. “Is he yer lover?”

Her cheeks flamed while her heart raced. The mere pounding of it threatened to drown out her voice. “He is. I’ll not lie to you.”

Mason stepped to her side and brought her hand to his lips, though his eyes were on Corwin. “At least you still have honesty between you, even if you don’t share a bed.” He then turned to her with a sweet smile. “Are you ready, my dear? There’s a lot we need to get done.”

She could have strangled him in that moment, just like the million times before. “Just a minute. If you’d be so kind?”