by I. T. Lucas
The helicopter flight to Anaheim had passed mostly in silence, with his sister and mother crying quietly, and he and Sari giving them space to grieve.
Lisa tapped his shoulder. “Do you want to help me change the bedding in the master bedroom?”
“Maybe not yet. Mom might change her mind.”
“I won’t,” Ronja said. “If I go into that room, I’ll start bawling. I think that I’m going to sleep on this couch so I can keep watching TV into the night. You and Sari can sleep in the guest room if you are not comfortable with the master.”
Damn, he hated seeing her suffer like that. “I can give you something to relax.”
He could write a prescription for her and get it filled in a nearby pharmacy.
“That’s not a bad idea.” Ronja lifted her teacup. “Can you be a dear and get the bottle of rum from the cabinet over there? Spiked tea always makes me feel better.”
Unless his mother had a drinking problem that he wasn’t aware of, a little rum was better than prescription medication.
As he opened the sideboard, David was relieved to find only a small selection of inexpensive liquors, and most of the bottles were still unopened. Only a little was missing from the rum.
He pulled out the bottle, walked it over to the coffee table, and poured some into his mother’s cup.
“Thank you.” She picked up the teapot and filled the rest of the cup. “I like it diluted.”
He was about to take the bottle back when she reached for it. “Just leave it here. I might want a little more.”
“Can I have some?” Lisa asked.
David was about to say, no way, when his mother lifted the bottle. “You can have a few drops.” She poured a tiny amount into Lisa’s cup. “When I was a young girl in Norway, my father used to spike my tea on particularly cold days. He claimed that it would warm me from the inside and keep me from getting sick.”
“Did it work?” Lisa asked.
Ronja nodded. “It did warm me from the inside, and I hardly ever got sick.” She put a hand over her heart. “It’s not cold outside now, but it is in here.”
42
Sari
Sari stood under the water spray in the small guest bathroom shower and cranked the heat as high as she could stand it, hoping that the hot water would help wash away the difficult day.
It had been emotionally exhausting.
She wasn’t used to dealing with grief. Her way of coping was to get busy, organize things, find solutions, gather the troops. But once all of that was done, Lisa and Ronja were still hurting, and there was nothing else she could do to ease their pain.
David was hurting as well, probably because he felt his mother and sister’s pain, but also because he was no stranger to grief, and facing it again had reopened wounds that hadn’t completely healed yet.
Sari didn’t know how to help him either.
All she could do was to hold him and tell him that she loved him.
When she came out of the bathroom, David was in bed, propped on a stack of pillows and reading on his phone.
He looked up at her. “Feeling better?”
“Yeah.” She lifted the comforter and slipped inside. “I should be the one asking you that.” Resting her head on his chest, she wrapped her arm around his middle. “I wish there was more I could do for you and your family.”
“You’ve done everything you could. I’m grateful for your help.”
“I can take care of all the arrangements, but I can’t take the pain away, and that makes me feel helpless. I hate that feeling.”
David chuckled. “I bet. It’s not easy for a demigoddess to accept that there is something she cannot fix.”
“It has nothing to do with that. It’s just my character. Although now that you mention it, I could thrall your sister and mother to feel better. Regrettably, I can’t do that for you.”
“You shouldn’t do that for them either. Grief is a process, and they have to go through it and make peace with their loss. The only effective antidote is love, which you give freely.”
That was such a nice thing to say. And it was also true.
It might have been the affinity at work, but it couldn’t be the only explanation for how Sari felt toward Lisa and Ronja.
Lisa had burrowed into her heart, and she was lodged deeply in there. Sari cared for her as much as she did for her own sisters. She’d known Ronja even less time, and yet she loved her as well, and it wasn’t only because she looked so much like her son.
They were very different people.
David was cerebral, reserved, and proper, while Ronja was emotional, fanciful, and a bit of a rebel. In fact, she reminded Sari a lot of her own mother, and maybe that was why she liked her so much.
“I think our mothers would get along splendidly.”
David arched a brow. “Why do you say that?”
“They have a lot in common.”
“I don’t see that.”
“You don’t know my mother well. You’ve seen her public face. When she lets loose, she is much more fun. Also, they both have lost the loves of their lives. The circumstances might have been different, but they are both grieving widows.”
David winced. “I liked Frank. But it’s difficult for me to think of him as the love of her life.”
“He wasn’t. Your father was.”
David frowned. “She divorced him. She wouldn’t have done it if she loved him so much.”
For a psychologist, David was pretty clueless when it came to his own mother.
“If she loved your father less, she might have stayed despite the infidelity. He was a successful surgeon, and being his wife meant wealth and social status, but it hurt too much to stay. She chose to leave and marry a man who couldn’t give her half of the material things that your father had, but who was loyal.” Sari smiled. “She said that was Frank’s middle name.”
“My father was an asshole. I hope he redeems himself in his future reincarnations.”
Pushing a hand under David’s T-shirt, Sari rested it on his taut belly. “Perhaps they will meet again, and the next time around, he will love her as much as she loved him.”
“He didn’t deserve her.”
“Not in this lifetime, but he might in the next.”
43
Richard
“William called.” Richard took Stella’s hand and gave it a light squeeze. “Our adventure is ready to go.”
She’d finally submitted the questionnaire the day before, but he hadn’t expected William to process it so quickly.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed to her feet. “Let’s get it over with.”
That didn’t sound enthusiastic.
“If you are not ready, we can wait. He didn’t say that we have to do it right away.”
Stella shook her head. “I’m ready. I’m just scared.”
Pulling her against his chest, Richard kissed her forehead. “We are going to have the time of our lives.”
“I’m not sure it’s going to be as fun as you imagine.” She smiled. “But I can promise you that it’s going to be one hell of an adventure.”
“Why? What did you put in that questionnaire?”
“I’m not going to tell you. We agreed that it would remain a surprise.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Unless you ended up choosing the pirate fantasy.”
“We agreed on the Krall one, and that’s what I used to build my character around. I can tell you who my avatar is.”
She lifted a hand. “Don’t tell me. I want it to be a surprise.”
“Let me just call William and tell him that we are on our way.”
She nodded. “I’m going to change into something comfortable. It was part of the instructions. You should too.”
“Right. I’ll put on some sweats.”
On the way to the lab, Richard tried to guess what angle Stella had chosen for their adventure, and how his requests affected her choices. In the end, it was the computer that created the final version, an
d it might be something neither of them had intended.
“You know that the program is not going to create exactly what you have in mind?” he said as they exited the elevator on William’s level. “It takes your requests and mine, and it finds elements of preprogrammed scenarios that loosely match our wishes.”
Stopping in front of the lab’s door, Stella turned to him. “I should warn you that you might be a little disappointed. I requested the eighty percent adventure and twenty percent romance mix. I didn’t want it to be all about sex, especially since I know the people monitoring those machines. So, I expect lots of excitement outside the bedroom.”
That was a bummer, and it took away a lot of the fun, but he understood why she’d done that.
One of the best things about the virtual adventures was the anonymity, which was nonexistent in the village. The technicians would not disclose details to outsiders, but they would discuss it amongst themselves, and that was enough. Letting go of inhibitions and fulfilling secret desires was not happening.
“I chose the fifty-fifty mix. I guess the program will create something in the middle for us, like sixty-forty, or seventy-thirty.”
The door opened, and a member of William’s crew stepped out. “We are waiting for you.” He waved them in.
Planting a big smile on his face, Richard gave Stella’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “Let’s get to it.”
The tech led them to a curtained off area in the back of the lab. “Ideally, we would have you in two separate rooms, but since we are still testing, this is the best we could do to offer you some privacy.” He pulled a curtain aside and motioned for Stella to go in. “Beverly is going to be your tech for this adventure.”
“Hi.” Stella waved at Beverly and then turned to Richard. “Well, this is it.” She took a deep breath. “Good luck to both of us.”
He leaned and kissed her lips softly. “Don’t be scared. It’s me and you, babe, and we are going to have fun.”
“I hope so.” She smiled tightly. “See you in three hours.”
“It might be weeks.” He winked before following the tech to the next enclosure.
“This is Morris, and he’s going to supervise your adventure.”
“Hi.” Richard offered the guy his hand. “Are you going to see what’s going on?”
Morris chuckled. “I couldn’t even if I wanted to. I’m only monitoring your vitals to make sure you don’t get too stressed and that your ticker can take all the excitement.”
“Then why the privacy?” Richard waved at the closed curtain.
“You know how some people talk in their dreams or get a boner? This is a lot like a dream. It can become embarrassing.” He motioned for Richard to take a seat in the padded recliner. “But don’t worry. Your secrets are safe with me. Think of me as your doctor.” The guy waggled his brows. “The doctor of love.”
Richard rolled his eyes. Evidently, immortal males suffered from the same delinquencies as humans, and their advanced age didn’t cure them of juvenile jokes.
“The curtain is not going to muffle the sounds.” Richard put his arms on the armrests. “I don’t care about that, but I’m sure Stella does.”
Morris fastened the restraint around his left wrist. “As soon as the two of you go under, we are going to activate a noise machine. William has thought of everything.”
“Where is he? I thought he would want to be here for this.”
“He’s coming. He wants to wish you both good luck before you start. Also, Julian is on his way.”
“Why? Do you expect complications?”
“No, but since it’s the first couple’s trial run and you are a human, William thought it would be prudent to have a doctor here.”
“I’m not going to argue with that.”
“Let’s go over the basics while we wait. What’s your avatar’s name?”
“Richard.”
The tech arched a brow. “Don’t you want to change it to something else?”
“Nah, I like my name.”
“That’s a mistake. Using the same name for your avatar might be confusing after you wake up. A different name helps differentiate between the fantasy world and the real one.”
“I’m not worried about that.”
Morris shrugged. “As you wish. Just remember that I warned you.”
44
Stella
“Did you study nursing?” Stella asked when Beverly inserted a needle into the back of her hand.
“Gertrude showed us how to do that. It’s not complicated.”
Everything about the setup looked complicated. It was like something taken from a science fiction movie.
“As long as you know what you’re doing.”
“Don’t worry. You are in good hands.” Beverly put a restraint around Stella’s left wrist.
“What are those for?”
“So you don’t accidentally pull the wires out. What you are about to experience is a lot like dreaming. Most people are paralyzed during sleep, and only their eyes can move, but some act out their dreams with violent arm and leg movements. That’s what the restraints are for.” She closed the Velcro strap around Stella’s wrist. “Give it a yank.”
It was loose, and Stella pulled her hand out without much effort. “Maybe it’s not tight enough.”
“It’s fine. You won’t be coordinated enough to do that while dreaming.” Beverly closed the right wrist restraint and sat back on her rolling stool. “I’ll pull down the helmet when William and Julian get here. It can get claustrophobic in there when you are not inside the virtual fantasy.”
Stella turned to look at the tech. “Is there a reason we need a doctor in attendance?”
“Just as a precaution. In the meantime, we can go over the basics. What’s your avatar’s name?”
“Cilia.”
“What’s your real name?”
“Stella.” She rolled her eyes. “Really? Did you think that I’d forget it before even starting?”
“Bear with me.” Beverly looked at the tablet in her lap and frowned. “You are stressed. Do you want me to give you a relaxant? Or do you want to meditate to calm yourself down?”
“Meditation is not going to work. I have too many thoughts swirling in my head, and I’m never able to quiet my mind enough to enter a meditative state.”
“I’ll give you something.” Beverly pushed to her feet and opened the first drawer in the metal cabinet next to her. “This is a very mild relaxant for immortals, so it’s not going to make you mentally sluggish or anything.”
“Good. I didn’t choose the zombie adventure.” She rolled her eyes. “Who in their right minds would want to do that one?”
“Humans are strange.” Beverly injected the relaxant into the intravenous drip. “I bet none of ours will go for that one.”
“Did you try the machine?”
The tech nodded. “I parachuted, and it was amazing, but I would have preferred to go on a couples’ adventure. Regrettably, the Fates haven’t found a mate for me yet.”
“Kalugal and his men are arriving tomorrow. You will get a whole buffet of immortals to choose from.”
“I might invite one of them for an adventure, but sadly, none of them is my mate. I checked them out during Kalugal’s wedding.”
As the relaxant took effect, Stella let out a breath and closed her eyes for a moment. “Perhaps you should give them another chance. I initially dismissed Richard because of something stupid he’d said, but thankfully, he didn’t give up on me.”
“Is he your mate, though?”
Stella leveled her gaze at the tech, wondering what gave her permission to ask such a personal question. They weren’t friends.
“I believe so.”
“I hate to bring it up,” Beverly leaned to whisper in her ear, “but Richard hasn’t transitioned despite multiple induction attempts.”
“I know. But I have faith. And if he doesn’t transition, I’m just going to enjoy his company for as long as he live
s.”
“Good for you.” The tech got up and pulled the curtain aside. “I’ll check on William and Julian and see what’s keeping them.” She stepped out and closed the curtain behind her.
Obviously, Beverly didn’t believe that a human could be an immortal’s fated mate, and perhaps she was right. But Stella hadn’t given up hope yet that Richard would transition.
That was why she’d agreed to have the virtual adventure with him.
If she divulged her secret in the virtual world, that wouldn’t count as breaking her vow because she would be someone else in there. The question was how much of her own consciousness would remain in the avatar.
The entire process was still a mystery to her, and she couldn’t understand how it worked. After today, she would be wiser.
Sighing, Stella closed her eyes again and tried to imagine the adventure she was about to experience. After much deliberation, she hadn’t chosen to be the Krall queen or princess. Despite her assertive nature, she just couldn’t see herself enjoying such an extremely aggressive role.
No matter what avatars she and Richard assumed, she didn’t want to have to fight him before having sex with him.
The only other option in that storyline was to be a human, and she’d decided that would be the best role for her to play with Richard. It would be interesting to experience life as a human, with all the limitations that entailed. She wouldn’t be as strong, her senses wouldn’t be as sharp, and she would be vulnerable. It would put her on an equal footing with Richard.
After all, he might never transition, and if she planned on spending her life with him, she should at least try to experience the world as he did.
45
Richard
“What’s your name, human?” The princess got off her throne and sauntered toward him.