"This is..." Beth's fingers traced the doorframe, her eyes wide as she took in the opulent cabin.
"Lord Damien believes in traveling in style." Tyr couldn't help smiling at her awe-struck expression. The helicopter's interior rivaled many luxury cars, with all the comfort and none of the traffic.
Beth ran her fingers over the polished wood trim. Her expression shifted from awe to sudden suspicion.
"Wait... is this Lord Damien's personal helicopter?"
"It is." Tyr couldn't suppress his grin at her sharp intake of breath.
Beth stared at him, a mix of horror and amusement crossing her features. "Did you... steal it?"
From the pilot's seat, Martin made a strangled sound that quickly turned into poorly suppressed laughter. Theprofessional demeanor he'd maintained cracked completely as he struggled to contain his mirth.
"I would never steal from Lord Damien," Tyr said, though his grin widened. "I value my continued existence far too much for that. No, I asked to borrow it, and he agreed."
"Sounds like a wise life choice." Beth's dry tone set Martin off again, his shoulders shaking as he tried to maintain his composure while running through the final pre-flight checks.
A few minutes later the helicopter lifted smoothly into the darkening sky, and Tyr caught the slight hitch in Beth's breathing as they left the ground.. The warehouse dropped away below them as Martin banked gently, setting their course north along the river.
Beth unbuckled her harness just enough to lean toward the window, her nose practically pressed against the glass as she took in the view. The Hudson stretched out beneath them like a silver ribbon in the fading light, its surface catching the last remnants of sunset.
"Oh wow," Beth breathed through the headset. "Everything looks so different from up here."
Tyr shifted closer, sharing her view. In his raptor form, he was intimately familiar with these aerial perspectives, but seeing Beth's awed amazement made him appreciate it anew. The river's familiar bends and curves took on fresh beauty through her eyes.
"Look at all the boats!" Beth pointed excitedly at the tiny vessels dotting the water below. "They look like toys from up here."
Her childlike enthusiasm warmed something deep in Tyr's chest. He'd hoped she would enjoy this surprise, but her pure, unrestrained joy exceeded his expectations. The way she pressed closer to the window, drinking in every detail of the landscape flowing beneath them, made all the planning worthwhile.
"The river really does look like silver from this height," Beth murmured, her breath fogging the window slightly. She quickly wiped it clear, unwilling to miss a single moment of the view.
The lights below grew denser as they approached the city, individual points becoming a glowing tapestry against the darkness. Tyr found himself stealing glances at Beth's profile, warmth spreading through his chest each time her eyes widened at a new vista. Her unguarded joy at the aerial view was becoming his favorite part of the flight.
"Oh my god!" Beth squealed, practically bouncing in her seat as Manhattan's skyline emerged from the darkness. "Look at all the lights!"
New York City sprawled beneath them like a constellation brought to earth, rivers of headlights flowing between towers of glass and steel. Beth's excitement was contagious, her joy radiating through the cabin as she pointed out various landmarks she recognized.
Martin's voice came through their headsets. "Beginning our approach to West 30th Street Heliport."
The helicopter banked smoothly, giving them a spectacular view of the illuminated Empire State Building before descending toward the helipad. Beth gripped Tyr's arm as they touched down with barely a bump, the concrete pad solid beneath their skids.
The rhythmic whump of the rotors slowed as Martin powered down the engine. He emerged from the cockpit, circling around to Beth's door with practiced efficiency. The door opened with a soft click, and Martin extended his hand to help Beth navigate the step down.
"Welcome to Manhattan, Ms. Kerrigan."
Tyr followed Beth onto the helipad, his enhanced vision catching every detail of her delighted expression even in the dimlighting. The night air carried a mix of jet fuel, and the ever-present symphony of city scents.
Martin secured the helicopter door with a quiet click. "Have a wonderful evening, Sir, Madam. I'll be here when you're ready to return."
"Thanks, Martin." Tyr pressed several folded bills into the pilot's hand, noting the man's slight nod of appreciation.
The soft purr of an approaching engine drew Tyr's attention. A sleek black Mercedes emerged from the shadows, its polished surface reflecting the helipad's safety lights as it glided toward them. Beth shifted closer to his side, her shoulder brushing against his arm as the sedan drew near.
The Mercedes S-Class Maybach purred to a stop beside them, its deep black paint gleaming like liquid obsidian under the helipad lights. The uniformed chauffeur emerged with fluid grace, his white gloves practically glowing as he opened the rear passenger door with a precise bow.
Beth's sharp intake of breath echoed in Tyr's sensitive ears as she caught sight of the car's interior. Cream leather seats stretched like thrones beneath soft ambient lighting, while hand-finished wood trim and polished metal accents created an atmosphere of understated luxury.
She spun to face him, her storm-grey eyes wide with disbelief. "Tyr, this is... I mean... what..."
