Lucas and Talon exchanged a look. “What do you have planned?” Talon asked as they both rose to go get ready.
“You’re going to have to wait and see. Come on, trust me. I’m going to rock this dating thing,” I said with a grin. If all worked as the way I was thinking, it was going to be perfect. I’d get to spend quality time with my mates and share a bit of what I could now do.
“Okay, we’re moving,” Lucas said, heading toward the bathroom with Talon.
For my part, changing came with a snap of my fingers. I looked down at my body, still marveling at the ease brought by regained powers. Tonight, I opted for something casual, yet sharp—a simple black shirt paired with dark jeans and a lightweight jacket. After a quick adjustment in the mirror, I headed out to the living area to wait.
Excitement mixed with a touch of nervousness. I hoped that whisking Talon and Lucas off to a different country on a whim would be as thrilling for them as it was for me. The thought of introducing them to one of my favorite spots in the world filled me with anticipation. They deserved this kind of surprise, something to break the norm and add a little magic to our lives.
“Wow, you dressed fast,” Lucas said as he stepped into the living area. His tone was light and teasing, matched by the appreciative gleam in his eyes. Lucas wore a crisp white button-down that contrasted sharply with his dark jeans, the outfit accentuating his lean figure. The shirt was tailored perfectly to his form, hinting at the well-defined muscles underneath.
Talon followed close behind, his choice of attire slightly more relaxed, yet no less striking. He had opted for a deep blue henley that brought out the richness of his eyes, paired with khaki trousers that highlighted his athletic build. The casual elegance of his look was effortlessly charming.
I took a moment to appreciate how good they both looked, feeling a swell of pride that these were my mates. “You two clean up nice,” I said, my voice rich with admiration. “Really nice.”
Lucas grinned and stepped closer, his eyes scanning my outfit. “And you’re not looking too bad yourself,” he quipped, smoothing down the front of my jacket with a playful touch. “I think we’re going to turn some heads tonight.”
Talon nodded in agreement, his gaze lingering a moment longer than necessary, as if he were seeing me anew. “Definitely,” he affirmed, his voice warm. “We might just be the best-dressed trio wherever we’re going.”
“Speaking of which, where are we going?” Lucas asked, grabbing my hand.
I grinned and reached out for Talon with my other hand, which he quickly took. “I was thinking somewhere special. I hope you like Italian.”
I didn’t wait for their replies and allowed my magic to flow. The familiar sensation of mist flashing enveloped us—the slight chill, the swirling darkness, and then the sudden displacement of air. Moments later, we stood on a cobblestone street under the evening sky of Rome, the majestic Colosseum rising grandly before us.
“Holy shit,” Talon muttered, turning to stare at me with wide eyes. “Is that the… Is this real?”
The awe on their faces was worth every bit of uncertainty I had felt about arranging this date. Under the Italian sky, with the historical monument as our backdrop, the possibilities of the night seemed as endless as the stars above.
“Welcome to Rome,” I said, gesturing grandly towards the ancient arena.
“I know I said I didn’t like your method of travel, but boy, was I wrong. I freaking love it,” Lucas squealed before wrapping his arms around my neck and giving me a hard kiss. “This is amazing,” he said, leaning back and looking around.
“I can’t believe we’re in Italy. This is insane,” Talon said, his voice tinged with wonder.
“Come on, I’ll show you around. Though, things have changed quite a bit since I was last here,” I remarked as we began walking down the bustling streets.
“How long has it been since you’ve been here?” Lucas asked, his gaze fixed in awe on the colossal structure of the Colosseum.
“A little over two thousand years. It was just as magnificent when it was first built. The battles that were held here were unlike anything you could imagine today,” I replied nonchalantly.
I continued walking, but stopped when I realized Talon and Lucas were no longer beside me. Turning around, I saw them both staring at me with expressions of disbelief.
“What?” I asked, puzzled by their reaction. “Did I do something wrong?”
“You were here when it was built? You actually saw the Colosseum in use?” Lucas exclaimed in a hushed tone.
“Yes, I’ve been stuck on the mortal plane for quite some time—over seven thousand years. I’ve witnessed or been part of many of human history’s pivotal events,” I explained.
“What do you mean by ‘been a part of’?” Talon asked, his voice filled with astonishment.
“Well, in the nether realm, I was a prince. I didn’t get that title from my lineage—few demons are ‘born’ royalty; most earn their titles through merit. I earned mine through warfare and being a very skilled tactician. With that said, I’ve always been involved in some form of conflict on this plane, whether with the Spartans and Persians, during the world wars, or even here in Rome. In fact, I was Legatus to Caesar Titus and commanded the legions of the north.”
Their expressions of amazement made me laugh, and I grasped their hands. “Come on, let’s get something to eat.” We strolled down the cobblestone streets, continuing our chat. Lucas, the more animated and curious of my mates, bombarded me with questions, whereas Talon was more reserved though equally engaged.
As we talked, I learned more about them. Lucas was a freelance graphic designer, cherishing the creative freedom his work offered. Talon, having always wanted to go into law enforcement, found satisfaction in his role as security and enforcer for the pride.
We discovered a quaint trattoria tucked away from the main tourist paths; its rustic charm immediately drew us in. My mates were further impressed as I conversed fluently in Italian with the waiter to order our dinner.
