Hekate winks at her and follows close at her heels. “I’m counting on that, friend. I truly hope you’re right.”
Their laughter echoes down the hall, and as much as I love to see them enjoying themselves the best they can, I close the door and press my back against it. Gazing off into nothing, I force deep breaths in and out of my lungs, slowly counting to ten. What would Dr. Cooper say now if he knew of my current situation? If I told him a dark queen had plagued my mind and was responsible for all the dark thoughts and suicide attempts this past year?
I laugh to myself imagining the way he’d look at me, his thick eyebrows slanting in concern, his black glasses falling down his nose as he leans forward to tell me I’ve gone mad. Shaking the thoughts away, I quickly clean up in the bathroom and change, brushing my teeth vigorously to get the taste of tequila from my tongue.
I put on a brave face and open my bedroom door, holding my head high as I scan the hall and then the living room for any winged immortals. I walk past the kitchen to my right, and no one is there. Then I check Olivia’s room and Hekate and her are already gone. I shut her door and then turn around slowly, slamming into something large and hard in the process. My eyes drift up, hesitant and slow, and bright green eyes meet mine. That crooked smile sends my treacherous little heart fluttering.
“H-Hi.” My stuttering only makes his smile grow wider, the crooked edges curving into a full-on grin.
“Good morning, princess,” he replies, bowing his head and placing the sparkly pink crown on my head from the night before.
Fuck. He’s hot and funny? If it were any other time and I hadn’t just had my heart crushed to pieces, I’d say I’m done for. But I’m not in the mood.
“Ha-ha. Very funny.” I roll my eyes, pressing my palms against his chest and pushing past him to inspect what’s happening in my kitchen. “You made all of this for me?” I glance his way and his deliberate, slow steps are like that of an animal stalking its prey.
Fuck. I don’t hate it. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as he approaches behind me.
His warm breath tickles my ear. “Who said I made you breakfast, princess? This is all for me.”
There are piles of pancakes, omelets, and bacon on plates along the counter, and bowls of fruit piled so high they’re nearly toppling over. I shake my head and move past him, leaning against the island as I watch him flip the bubbly pancake in the pan. He glances over his shoulder to wink in my direction, then faces me fully and leans against the marble counter.
“You had a rough night. I wanted to do something nice, that’s all.” He shrugs, his knuckles turning white as he grips the counter behind him.
“Where are your wings?”
“Your sister just couldn’t resist trying to touch them, so I glamoured them.” He leans forward and whispers, “I think she likes me.”
I roll my eyes. “She is obsessed with magical, weird things, so that tracks.” I look him up and down and give him a teasing smile.
“How are you feeling about all of this, Nora?” His eyes pierce mine. “Knowing you are to be like me one day? You’ll have wings of your own, though mine are nothing compared to yours. Yours will be amazing,” he breathes, his smile returning.
How do I feel? Confused. Terrified. So absolutely lost that I don’t know where to begin with all the questions I have for him. It’s unbelievable. A part of me wonders if I’ve fully lost my mind and spiraled into a long-term hallucination. How can I be a divine, powerful being with my depression and pain and darkness?
“I’m not sure how I feel. It’s a lot to take in.” I push off the counter and straighten, but my body sways side to side. My vision blurs and my head spins as dizziness crashes into me.
Weightlessness hits me and I feel myself beginning to fall. Kairos disappears and then reappears by my side, wrapping a steady arm around my waist as he guides me to my favorite plush couch. He sits right next to me, his face only inches away. His arm supports my back as he waits for me to recover.
“That was unbelievable. You disappeared into thin air like you were never even there. How did you…”
“If you stick around long enough, you’ll see many more unbelievable things. There is so much magic in the world. So much beauty you’ve yet to uncover. You have more magic and light within you than you can imagine. I am nothing compared to what you will be. You, Nora, are destined to bring an end to darkness. You’ll be the savior of the realms.” His blonde locks of hair cascade over his eyes, and I fight the urge to reach out and brush them away.
Beauty like his should never be hidden.
“That’s a lot to ask from someone who has no power,” I breathe, smiling despite the heaviness of his words.
Reaching out, he tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “There’s no need to worry yourself over it now.”
I tilt my head to the side, my eyes drifting up and down his body. “If what you told me is true, that you are my…”
“Fated mate?” He smiles, taking a seat on the coffee table right across from me. “It is true.”
I nod. I can’t bring myself to say it or admit it might be true, but if that type of connection exists in the world, Kairos wouldn’t be the worst person to be fated for. I can allow myself to admit that much.
“Why can’t I remember you? A part of me feels like I should remember something. And what if my memories never return? Then you’re just left without a fated mate?” I whisper, searching his face, his eyes, his lips for any miniscule reminder of the past.
Leaning his elbows on his knees, he clasps his hands together and stares only at them. “Not only me. You, too, Nora.” His eyes meet mine, electricity sparking and flashing within them. “If you never remember then it isn’t only me who is cheated out of the best love of my life, it will be you, too. We are finding that amulet. We believe Nyx stole it from your mother, but one way or another, we’re getting it back. And then, you will remember me and if I have any say in it, she will be dead.”
I can’t speak or blink or look away as he stands and makes his way to the kitchen. I’m a mess. My heart beats so fast, out of fear or excitement, I’m not sure. It’s dying to remember him. I am, too.
