Perfect Love (A Celestra Novella) Read Online Free PDF Page B

crash over one another, and we detonate in a powder keg of kisses that unleash all of the pain and joy, the frustration and the ecstasy we’ve been harboring since the moment we were born. Instinctually we’ve been on this trajectory, two arrows traveling at the speed of light, we were just hitting our stride, arcing out into a thing of beauty. We were meant to be together, Skyla and me. I’ve known it all my life, and I know it more so in death—it’s the middle where things got tricky for us as they so often do.
    The bowling alley evaporates around us as we surge toward destiny.
    The Falls of Virtue wait for us—for the future Mr. and Mrs. Logan Oliver.
     

     
    The lake quivers below, illuminated with lines of dancing water as the moon lights up the night.
    Skyla and I materialize at the diving board, a granite rock that overlooks the small lake. We watch as the ferocious falls pour all of their affection into the water below. She’s still locked in my arms, safe, right where she belongs—right here with me.
    “We’re here!” She jumps up and peels a kiss off my lips. Her lids are hooded low, her full lips call to me to take a quick bite, so I do.
    Skyla is primed and ready, her body already stroking against mine with an invitation. Ours will be a honeymoon for the ages. I can feel it. I pray it lasts ten thousand years. I’d say fate owed me at least that much.
    “Indeed you are here,” Dudley booms from behind.
    Skyla turns and gasps in horror at the sight of him.
    In all honesty, I wish that was the reaction she had around him all the time. I wish she were repulsed by him, but I know it’s the furthest thing from the truth.
    A quivering breath escapes her. “I suppose you came for this.” She holds out the protective hedge as if she were making an offering.
    “That’s not why I’m here.” He strides over, glaring at me because he knows damn well what’s required of him. I try to hide the shit-eating grin that’s budding on my lips. I couldn’t think of a better way to stick it to Dudley, even if it’s nothing more than tongue in cheek at this point. We both know how things really play out. “You requested my presence?”
    “Are you…?” Skyla’s mouth falls open. She’s putting the pieces together faster than she can finish the thought. “Is he your supervising spirit?”
    I close my eyes for a moment. “We had an argument one day—”
    “It was brutal,” Dudley interjects, still needling me with those beady eyes of his. “Fists were exchanged. You’re quite lucky a mortal blow wasn’t dealt.”
    I nod into his dig because at the end of the day, a mortal blow wasn’t necessary.
    “Yes, well”—score one for Dudley—“I’m dead now, so it’s a moot point.” I cast my eyes right back where they belong, on Skyla. “Anyway, we realized we were fighting for the same team.” True story. “We both want you safe.” I don’t really mind Dudley all that much, but no need to fess up now. We’ll have plenty of time to hug it out later, on the flip side of life, and, unfortunately for me, that will be sooner than anticipated.
    “Once he committed to the Countenance on your behalf, I knew there was nothing he wouldn’t do to keep you secure.” Dudley continues yapping as if anyone cared. “Although we haven’t always seen eye to eye,” he says that last part like a threat. “You’ve no idea how close I came to castrating him after that little stunt he pulled with the Justice Alliance.”
    “Here, Marshall.” Skyla takes off her necklace, desperate to get him to shut the fuck up. “I want you to be safe, right here on Paragon. I’m gifting it to you. It’s yours now.” The Eye of Refuge winks and glows, and my stomach wants to explode in a vat of acid in response to Skyla’s random act of kindness. The hedge is for her alone, and my heart sinks like granite just witnessing the exchange.
    Shit. This is not how it’s supposed to be. That necklace should never leave