“To believe. To have faith in the future. That is all you need, my love. If we are truly meant to be, then we have all the time in the world to figure it out. We are immortal, after all.” Bringing her hand to my lips, I kiss her palm, and she glances down, avoiding my gaze.
“I don’t want to lose you. I’m scared of how life felt before you walked into it. How lonely it all was before I found you. I can’t bear feeling that way ever again. So sad. So lost. So empty,” she sighs, glancing up at me as her lip quivers slightly.
Cupping her chin in my hand, I caress her cheek with my thumb and smile over at her. “I will never let you feel that way ever again, do you understand me? I will not let you. I am not going anywhere, my love. I am yours. There is no one else for me, not now or ever. It is you and I against the world from here on out,” I promise, leaning forward and brushing my lips against hers.
Someday I will be brave. I will tell her what my heart yearns for her to know so badly. I will tell her the truth, that I am a coward, and that I am even more scared of life and of her than she could ever imagine.
“You and I against whatever may come our way.” She places a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll never stop telling you how much I love you. I’ll tell you until you get so tired of hearing it that you finally admit the truth. That you, Nyx, love me, too.”
Shaking my head, I laugh as she lays her head on my chest. I run my fingers through her silky hair, caressing her worries away. As her breathing slows and her eyes remain closed, I hold her while she sleeps and do not let go. Here, with Hekate’s head resting on my chest and my arms wrapped around her tightly, there is no other place I ever wish to be.
I will never again let her wander through life alone unless she asks me to.
Chapter Fourteen
Wicked Thing
NORA
“No… I’m not ready to go. Let’s sing one more song. Have one more drink with me, come on. You guys are no fun!” Katie and Olivia head toward the exit of Lunar Waves, dragging me along with them.
This nightclub has always been our favorite, with its neon lights and karaoke lasting until the bar closes, so many of our nights spent bonding happened here. We’ve been here for hours but I’m not ready to leave. The air around me is electric and alive, and surprisingly healing to the soul, once you get past the stuffy scent of musky bodies and cheap bourbon.
The strobe lights flash across Olivia’s face, shining a spotlight on her flushed cheeks and sweat drenched hair from our endless dancing. “I’m sorry, sis. I work in the morning, but we’ll have to do this again soon!” The thumping music drowns out her words, but from what I can hear, her voice is clear and focused, severely contrasting my drunken haze.
“Boo!” Rolling my eyes dramatically, I pull her into my arms.
Red locks of hair stick to her cheek when I pull away, and we giggle as I untangle myself from her, tucking the loose strands behind my ears.
“Fine, Olivia. You go and I’ll stay.” Katie sighs, her voice hoarse from all the singing and struggling to be heard over the noise. “I’ll stay for just a little longer while you wait for Ere, Nora. If he’s not here in thirty minutes, then we’re out of here. I mean it!” The smile she offers shows a hint of annoyance, but her eyes light up as I squeal with excitement.
“He had to stay late at work, but he’ll be here. How could he say no to this?” With a playful smirk, I twirl and flip my hair in their faces and both girls burst into laughter. Adjusting the pink, sparkly crown I somehow convinced a bride-to-be to give me earlier, I take a deep breath. “Come on! The night is young, Katie, dance with me.” Grabbing her hand, I tug her toward the infectious energy of the dance floor.
Olivia waves goodbye and heads to the exit. I blow her a kiss as Katie and I dance and laugh and twirl each other without a care. I jump and spin and sing at the top of my lungs until I forget about everything except for what’s happening here in this moment. I can’t remember the last time I felt so happy and carefree. When the song ends, we make our way over to the bar, and out of the corner of my eye I spot a pair of bright green eyes focused only on me. I order a drink and bring it to my lips. The man behind those eyes watches my every move.
“That’s Kairos,” Katie says. “The man who brought you to the hospital. Look familiar?” She brushes her hair behind her shoulders and waves across the bar at him.
Of course he looks familiar. I’ve thought of those eyes often. Only every night since that night in the woods. Something about his messy blonde hair, the intense gaze, and the tattoos that swirl down both arms and cover even his hands and fingers makes my eyes widen in response. I have to force them to relax and return to normal. My boyfriend is hot, but I can’t lie and say Kairos isn’t.
I can’t stop staring. “So you trust this guy?”
My heart races and a rush of arousal slams into me as a crooked smile slashes across his features.
“We like Kairos, Nora. Most of the time, that is. Let’s go say hi.” She grins, grabbing her drink and heading to the other side of the bar.
I’m not sure I can do this. I should leave. I’ve wanted to meet him, but now that my head spins from tequila and I take a step forward, I contemplate leaving both Katie and him here without saying a word. I should go home. Sitting my drink on the bar, I pin my eyes on the exit as I turn to make my way to it.
“Excuse me,” a smooth, velvety voice sends shivers down my spine, and I freeze.
Fuck. For a split second I consider making a run for the door, but I’m honestly unsure if I can even force my body to move. I was so close. Am I ready to meet the dark stranger who has been watching me? I have no choice now.
Slowly, I turn and face him. “Hi, how can I help you?”
Dear Lord, why did I say that? I can feel the burn as it creeps across my cheeks, the crimson color drawing his attention. His eyes shift from my cheeks back up to my eyes, and his crooked smile remains. There’s no doubt in my mind now that I should have run for the exit while I still had a chance.
“Kairos,” Katie greets him with a smile and a nod, looping her arm through mine.
“Katie,” he replies, dipping his head slightly but keeping his gaze pinned to me.
