“As if I would hurt an innocent.” With that, she leaped from the cave, falling down, down, down. He wasn’t sure she would have the strength to pull herself up, until, a second later, he caught a glimpse of her rising. Her glide was stiff, slow, but still she managed to stay in the air.
It was done, then. Over.
He waited for regret to overwhelm him. He experienced only...peace. Such sweet peace. He’d done the right thing. He’d taken the matter out of his hands. He’d turned away from the temptation.
Now, for his reward.
CHAPTER THIRTY
THE CHANGE IN KOLDO confused, delighted and electrified Nicola.
Only half an hour ago, he’d arrived at Annabelle’s to pick up Nicola for “a date.” He’d given her a pink angel robe and waited for her to change.
Before they left, Nicola had gone to check on Laila, who had awoken from her faint, thrown herself at Nicola and sobbed. Eventually she’d calmed and promised to listen to everything Nicola had to say about good and evil, joy and fear—in the morning. She’d wanted a night to herself, to relax. To forget, if only for a little while.
Grateful for the change, Nicola had agreed and allowed Koldo to gather her in his arms and take her away.
And so here she was, out on her date. Part one? Flying. Koldo held her as they soared through the sky, the wind in her hair, caressing her skin. The scent of the clouds, morning dew and sunshine inundated her very being.
He was behind her, holding her tightly. The air pressure kept her legs glued to his, rather than dangling below. And the world... The world was lush and alive and glorious. Vibrant greens and blues melded earth and sea. Mountains rose, and valleys dipped. Winter here, summer there. A veritable feast for her senses.
“Everything is so beautiful,” she said.
“There was a time I saw only the ugliness.” He kissed the back of her neck, and she shivered. “But not today. Today is a new day, a fresh start. I...I freed my mother.”
She tried to twist around and look at him, but couldn’t quite manage it. “Oh, Koldo.”
“You were right. I could keep her and worsen, or let her go and heal.”
She wished she could hug him. “It was difficult, wasn’t it?”
“The most difficult thing I’ve ever done, and yet, somehow the easiest.”
She patted his hands, joined as they were over her middle. “I’m pleased,” she said, as he’d often said to her.
“You’re about to be more so.” He angled their bodies, and began to descend.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked, breathless.
“You’ll see.”
Already she could make out...a jungle safari? A river wound through lush trees and patches of dirt. A lioness chased a pack of gazelles. Birds of every color scattered in the wind. Elephants drank at a pond.
He straightened just before landing and placed her feet gently on the ground. Familiar scents layered the air. Scents she’d encountered at the zoo, the few times her parents had taken her, but also things she hadn’t encountered. Exotic flowers and flourishing ivy. Damp vegetation, and a startling purity.
“You’re in the spirit realm with me. They can’t see you,” Koldo said. “Go on. Get close.”
“Really?”
In answer, he gave her the gentlest of pushes.
Nicola moved forward hesitantly. Despite what Koldo had said, she expected the magnificent creatures to bolt. Instead, they continued to suck water through their trunks and spray drops into their mouths. They even bathed themselves and splashed each other.
A laugh bubbled from her, but still the elephants remained in place.
Koldo stood off on the side, watching.
Finally she moved beside one of the few babies, an adorable thing that weighed more than she and Laila combined. His gaze lifted, seemed to lock on her. But...he couldn’t see her. Could he?
“Touch him,” Koldo said. “He won’t hurt you.”
“Will he feel me?”
“His spirit will, yes.”
So...some animals could sense what happened in the spirit realm just as some humans could. She reached out. Her hand met warm, soft flesh, and ghosted through. From behind, a trunk brushed over her arm. Startled, she turned. And found herself face-to-face with the momma.
Apparently, Nicola’s spirit could feel things, too!
The female wasn’t scared of her, but intrigued. Momma touched her and sniffed her, and then attempted to play with her hair. Nicola laughed, carefree and overjoyed.
After a while, the creatures wandered off, bored with her.
Koldo approached and gathered her in his arms, tension and warmth radiating from him.
“Wait. I’m dirty. You don’t want to—”
“You’re not dirty.”
She looked down. Of course she was—not. The dirt and stains the elephants had left behind had completely faded.
“Wearing the robe is like walking around in a shower.”
“In that case, I might never take it off.”
“Let’s see if I can change your mind about that,” he said huskily.
Her blood began to fizz with the same charged need this man always ignited.
He flashed her to the top of a building. A reeeally tall building, with a flat roof. The sun had set, and the moon was high. The wind offered a gentle caress. There was a patch of grass, with jewel-toned flowers planted all around. In the distance, she could see multicolored, twinkling lights. Soft music played in the background.
Koldo turned her around, only to tug her closer to him. “Now we dance.”
“Why would you—” He was giving her all the things she’d said she wanted, she realized suddenly. To travel the world, to pet an elephant. To dance on a skyscraper. What a sweet, sweet man. Tears burned the backs of her eyes and she rested her forehead against his chest. His heart hammered against her temple.
They swayed together, and though it was obvious neither of them knew what they were doing, the moment was perfect. His hands roved over her back, caressing. He played with the fabric of her robe. He combed his fingers through her hair. Every action seduced her, intoxicated her, leaving her trembling, aching.
“Koldo,” she said.
“Nicola,” he said, the sweetness of his breath fanning over her cheek. “I want you to know...have to tell you...I...love you.”
She stopped, certain she’d misheard, and looked up at him. He peered down at her with hope and need and fierce possessiveness in his eyes.
“I want to marry you in the way of my people.” He dropped to one knee, in the way of her people. “I want to protect you with my name, my status, my fortune and my future.”