I could get usedto this, feeling adored and protected.Part of me says I should squirm and demand my husband put me down.I am capable of walking.The other part loves the fact that he noticed my feet were hurting and just...took care of it, took care ofme.No one takes care of me, not since I was a kid and my mom still put bandages on my skinned knees.
Resting in Rygar’s arms I watch the world go by, amazed at how little distance I managed to cover in my mad dash away from the cabin.When I was running, it felt like a solid mile.Now I wonder if I managed even half that.The sun is shining.The sky is a brilliant blue with a couple of fluffy, white clouds on the horizon.The day isn’t boiling with heat yet, but it will be soon.The ground is covered with dry pine needles and a mixture of green and brown grasses, typical of summer.Everything smells fresh and clean and perfect, like I woke up after a light rain.
The best part?The steady beating of Rygar’s heart under my ear where my cheek rests against his chest.I’m naked, but so is he.If anyone asked me to explain my reaction to him, I couldn’t do it.He just feels right.Safe.Like he’s mine.The calmer I become, the more I sink into where our bodies are connected, the clearer the images in my mind grow.One memory leads to another, then another, until the events of last night are running through my head like a movie highlight reel.
As we approach the cabin, my trepidation grows.Am I truly the one who brought the animals inside, then gave them food and alcohol?Did I put a tutu on a bear?Did I ask my new husband if I could take home a mountain lion?And what about those scary MIBs who wereshooting at us!The fact that I’m naked and don’t have a weapon, especially after we were shot at last night, is another concern.Rygar doesn’t have his fancy suit on.What if those MIB guys ambush us?Would they?I don’t know.I don’t know who they were.
The sudden case of amnesia and blank spots in my memory have me in a tailspin.Rygar’s explanation of astral euphoria makes no sense.What is astral euphoria and why do I have it?
How is it that Rygar’s presence causes such a powerful reaction?Soothing is climbing into a hot bath.This is more like melt my bones, heart bursting with joy, everything that is, was, or ever will be is totally okay.It’s notsoothing,it’s hypnotic.Mesmerizing.I don’t want to be away from him and it’s kinda freaking me out.Why am I not more weirded out by this situation?By him?I’m not sure.I am convinced he would move heaven and earth to protect me and make me happy, and I don’t know why.
He’s so freaking hot.I keep darting glances his way.
Because wow!Just wow!
How can anyone be this gorgeous.Seriously, it’s not fair to the rest of us.He's so far out of my league, we aren’t even playing the same game.So why is he with me when there are a million thinner, toner, richer, much more beautiful women in the world.
Why me?
When we reach the porch, I stare at the back door hanging open in a lopsided fashion.Past the threshold is a group of wild animals that don’t belong inside.Rygar seems to think I can get them to leave.I wish I was more confident.The thought of entering makes me want to pee my pants—if I was wearing any.There is a bear in my bathtub after all.A freaking bear.
“There’s nothing to fear.They won’t harm you.”Rygar speaks softly as he sets me on my feet and I wonder if he’s trying not to upset me or them.“Your bond with them is strong.Even if you have trouble controlling your mind, I won’t allow any of them to hurt you.Trust me.They are yours, your friends.They know and trust you.All you need do is ask them to leave.”
Rygar’s presence settles the unease swirling inside me like a tornado.I don’t understand my reaction to him, but I do trust him.I know he would stand in front of a loaded gun to protect me.Inhaling a fortifying breath, praying that this isn’t some trick, I ascend the wooden porch steps.My bruised bare feet are silent against the smooth planks.
He ushers me inside.It takes a minute for my eyes to adjust after being in the bright sunlight.My heart hammers in my throat.Adrenaline surges through me as my fight or flight instincts take over.I can always run back outside.
The moment we enter, all activity ceases as four sets of panicked eyes lock on me.
Oh, my god.
The raccoons joined the buck eating the wedding cake.The couches are now covered with frosting coated pawprints.The mountain lion glances up from her position on the kitchen floor.The bone-in honey baked ham that was in the fridge, lays half eaten in front of her.
So much food.Hannah and Emily really are the best friends a girl could have.They did their best to ensure I had the honeymoon of my dreams by stocking this place with precooked meals and finger foods, all being enjoyed by woodland creatures.
The buck is curled up on the rug beside the fireplace as if it’s too full to move but blissfully happy about it.The bright blue bra still dangles from its antlers.Some of the cake looks like it was ground into the rug.
I am sooooo not getting my deposit back.
“How do we get rid of them?Should we put a trail of food leading out the door?What do you suggest?”Because at this point, I’m willing to try anything.I won’t be able to relax or deal with why we’re wearing matching gold bands until they have vacated the premises.
“Use your telepathic bond with the animals and ask them to leave the cabin.All but the cat.Kiki was my wedding gift to you and you promised her a home.”
Kiki?I’m sure he’s talking about the mountain lion with the sparkly, pink, bejeweled collar.Is it weird that as soon as he mentioned giving me a wedding gift all I could think about was how super sweet that is?
Wait, “What do you mean telepathic bond?Are you saying I can talk to animals?Like a real-lifeDr.Doolittle?”
Rygar frowns.“I do not know this doctor, mate, so I cannot say.The moment we finished the Empyrean Ritual, our essences joined.In human terms, the ritual intertwined our astral bodies in a sort of quantum entanglement.Since my race has telepathic communication abilities, through the union of our souls, it unlocked the ability in you.You used that ability to call these animals to you.”
What?!Goodbye, white picket fence.Hello, white padded cell.He’s delusional.It’s the only explanation that makes sense.
But even as the thought crosses my mind, his words ring with an air of authority that resonates within me.He’s not lying.I feel it in my bones.
I put my faith in him and choose to believe him.“How do I ask them to leave?”
“Go inside your mind.Tug on the thread connecting you to each creature.Feel the bond you have with them.Thank them for coming when you called but tell them it’s time they went home.”
Doubt creeps in as I study the raccoons.It can’t be that easy.There has to be more to this telepathy stuff.Right?
