"Yeah, we better clean this up before Layla gets home." Tobi grabbed a roll of paper towels. "She might not appreciate our historical reenactment."
They worked in tandem, ages of practice making them an efficient team. Tyr tackled the counters while Tobi handled the floor, both of them scrubbing at stubborn spots of dried "lava" and Play-Doh.
"How does this stuff get everywhere?" Tobi grumbled, finding yet another sparkly patch under the stove. "It's like it multiplies on its own."
"At least it's not blood this time," Tyr reminded him, thinking of other messes they'd cleaned up over the long course of their lives. He sprayed cleaner on a particularly stubborn chocolate smear. "Remember that time in Venice?"
"That was different. That was life or death." Tobi straightened up from scrubbing the floor. "This was just... enthusiasm."
They worked methodically through the kitchen, restoring order to the chaos. Fresh air from the still-open back door helped clear the lingering smoke smell. Tyr wiped down the last counter while Tobi put away the cleaning supplies.
Finally, the kitchen gleamed, showing no trace of their volcanic adventure or baking catastrophe. Even the glitter had been mostly contained, though Tyr suspected they'd be finding sparkly spots for weeks to come. They left the volcano, though, taking igneous pride of place in the center of the counter.
"Not bad," Tobi said, surveying their work. "Think Layla will notice anything?"
Tyr sniffed the air, and nodded. "It's still a little smoky in here. Other than that, we're golden."
And just in time, too. The sound of tires crunching on snow outside caught his attention. Through the window, he caught a glimpse of Beth's pale blonde hair shining under the porch lightas she helped Layla navigate the icy steps, both women laughing together. The sight of Beth's smile made everything else fade away, her stormy blue-grey eyes catching the light as she glanced toward the house and waved at him.
In all his long existence, he'd never expected this - somehow he'd ended up here, covered in brownie batter and glitter, teaching a six-year-old about volcanos while falling for a woman whose gentle nature and fierce heart captivated him more than any immortal ever had.
Not exactly how he'd imagined spending his immortality, but somehow, it felt exactly right.
Chapter 11
Beth smoothed her hands over her favorite jeans one last time before opening her front door. Tyr stood on her porch, his fair hair catching the porch light. His casual attire of dark jeans and a leather jacket made her feel better about her own laid-back outfit choice.
"Ready for an adventure?" His sapphire eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Should I be worried?" Beth grabbed her wool peacoat from the hook, shrugging into its warmth.
"Never." He offered his arm with an exaggerated flourish that made her giggle.
The drive was peaceful, classical music playing softly as they left the city lights behind. Trees crowded closer to the road until finally Tyr turned onto a narrow gravel path that led to a small parking area near a lake.
Beth emerged from the truck and paused, taking in their surroundings. Moonlight silvered the water's surface, while thick woods spread into darkness on all sides. The night air carried the crisp scent of autumn leaves and pine needles.
Tyr's smile was warm as he gestured toward the tree line. "Shall we?"
As they headed toward the woods, Beth quickened her pace, eager to explore the area around the lake. Whisper stirred with interest, sensing the wild spaces ahead. Once they were well hidden from the parking area, Tyr stopped.
"I thought we could spend some time in our other forms." His voice held a hint of uncertainty. "If you're comfortable with that?"
Something warm unfurled in Beth's chest. He understood how personal shifting was, especially after everything she'd been through. But this felt right - sharing that intimate part of herself with him.
"I'd love that." She glanced around the moonlit forest, already feeling the joyous anticipation build.
Beth ducked behind a massive oak tree, quickly stripping off her clothes and folding them into a neat pile. She closed her eyes, letting her small feline form flow over her human shape. Her whiskers twitched as she caught Tyr's scent - that unique mixture of leather and winter air that was uniquely him.
She peered around the tree trunk just in time to see Tyr's form shimmer and blur, shrinking and reshaping until a magnificent hawk stood where he had been. His clothing had simply vanished, absorbed into his raptor form through whatever vampire magic allowed such things.
Beth crept from behind the oak tree, her clouded leopard form moving with fluid grace. Her lush pelt shimmered in the silvery light filtering through the branches as she studied Tyr's transformed shape.
The hawk before her was breathtaking. Sleek feathers in shades of slate blue and cream caught the silvery light, while his razor-sharp beak and fierce yellow eyes spoke of a deadly predator. His head turned with quick, precise movements as he surveyed their surroundings, every motion displaying the perfect efficiency of a born hunter.
Beth wasn't sure if vampires could communicate telepathically like shifters could in their animal forms, but she focused her thoughts carefully, projecting them toward him.
Can you hear me?
