by Deanna Chase
It was funny that I was doing this on a ship and not solid ground. Jade would’ve killed me if she knew I was willingly inviting Vienna back into my being. No doubt she’d have had me wait until we got back to New Orleans so she could call on the coven and insist we use the coven circle.
But I knew better. There was one thing—one person, really—that kept me tethered in place.
Julius.
And he was standing right in front of me. At the thought of him, Razer’s form faded to Julius’s. His bright green eyes sparkled at me as he gave me a short nod of approval.
“I’m here, Pyper,” he said, his voice now his own, soft and reassuring. “I won’t let you go.”
I knew he wouldn’t. I could open myself up to every spirit on the high seas, and he’d still be there, anchoring me to him. “Ready?” I asked him.
He nodded and reached for my hand.
A current of electricity zinged up my arm when our fingers brushed. Immediately upon contact, Razer was back, that confused expression still plaguing his face. I just smiled, knowing what was to come.
“Release your barriers,” Tru instructed. “Imagine your invisible walls being torn down one by one”.
I did as she asked. My imaginary fortress of entwined jasmine vines slowly unraveled. I envisioned sunshine beaming down on me, exposing me to the outside world.
“Now invite her in,” Tru added.
“Vienna?” I whispered, barely recognizing my own voice. Everything was raw, my defenses stripped away. I’d never felt so vulnerable and powerful at the same time. I had something important to give. Something that was bigger than me or Julius.
Love.
The word floated around in my mind, grew, and sent warmth straight to my toes. I’d never felt so satisfied, so needed, so selfless.
A cool, soothing balm settled over my soul, and suddenly I had the feeling I was no longer in my body… or rather, was no longer in control of it.
“Pyper?” The familiar voice echoed in my mind, and when I turned, I spotted Julius lounging on an overstuffed white love seat, his arm resting along the back as he stared down past me.
I followed his gaze and grinned. Vienna was wrapped in Razer’s arms, the pair of them holding each other for dear life.
“Sit with me,” Julius said, waving me over.
I glanced down, noting we were in some sort of loft area, overlooking the rocker couple before us. It had to be an illusion. But it didn’t bother me. Everything about the moment was perfect.
I smiled at Julius and sort of floated over to him, but when I sat, the cushions gave way to my weight and the arm Julius put around me was just as solid as it always was.
“You did a good thing,” he said into my ear, nuzzling my neck.
“I think so too.” I slid my hand over to his free one, entwining my fingers in his. “Is this what it’s been like for you the entire time you’ve been sharing your body with Razer?”
He chuckled. “No. Not even close. The light didn’t come on until Vienna stepped into your body.”
I studied him. “Explain.”
He waved a hand, indicating the entire room. “Before you let Vienna in, when Razer was in charge, it was more like I was sitting in a dark corner of my own mind, watching everything, hearing what he had to say but unable to participate until his energy waned. But then as soon as you gave Vienna permission to utilize your body, it was like a light switch came on and I was able to leave the confines of my mind to enjoy a little distance from him. It’s a bonus that you’re here too.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “That is exactly what it was like when Vienna forced her way into my body. But this, inviting her? It changed everything.”
There was a tug in my belly, a solid connection to Vienna and the body she used, but no real need to get back anytime soon. It was very different than when I’d been carrying a second soul. I was still me, my soul completely my own, and I knew I was still in charge. The moment I asked Vienna to leave, she would. There was no danger of soul fusing here, at least not for me. I felt it in my bones.
“How are you feeling?” I asked him.
“Fine. Like I’m me again. The hold Razer had on me has lifted. I could cast him out at any second.” He gazed down at the pair now. They had their heads bent together, whispering in confidence. “But I’m not in any hurry.” Turning his attention to me once again, he added, “Especially since you’re here.”
I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder as I gazed up at him. “You’re right. We did a good thing here.”
Julius’s eyes softened, and then he tilted his head and gently brushed a kiss over my lips. As he pulled away, he traced his thumb over my cheek, the tenderness in his touch making my heart swell. “You’re really something special, you know that?”
“No more special than you are.”
Raising one eyebrow, he gave me a skeptical look. “I’d argue that what you did here today goes well beyond selflessness. There were any number of times over the past few days where I would’ve gladly ejected Razer from my being. And to be honest, even though I wouldn’t change this outcome, I still resent knowing he was a part of me, that he was onboard when we almost…” He cleared his throat. “Well, you know what I mean. Your heart is about ten times bigger than the average human.”
I didn’t know what to say to any of that, so I wrapped my free arm around him and held on, enjoying the steady beat of his heart in my ear.
“Pyper?” His arms tightened around me.
“Yeah?”
He gently lifted me away from him just enough so that he could look me in the eye. “I’m going to kiss you now.”
My lips twitched with a small smile. After a moment, I said, “I’m waiting.”
His gaze shifted to my mouth, and I rewarded him by wetting my lips with the tip of my tongue.
He pulled me onto his lap so that I was straddling him, tilted his head, and then kissed me. Kissed me like a starving man. And I responded in kind, unleashing all my pent-up frustration, branding him with my kiss, making sure he knew exactly what I wanted from him.
The world around us fell away. I knew nothing but Julius’s heated touch, his gentle but demanding grip, and his faint rosewood scent. I could’ve stayed locked in his embrace forever, drinking in his kisses. But all too soon he pulled away, both of us breathless.
“I wasn’t done,” I said, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth.
His hand tightened on my thigh as he smiled at me and nodded toward the door. “But they are.”
I twisted, realizing for the first time we weren’t in some loft overlooking Razer and Vienna. We were on the small couch of the stateroom, and the pair was moving toward the door hand in hand, their bodies translucent.
I glanced down at our joined bodies. “They left us already.”
He nodded. “Looks like they’re both free now.”
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and watched as the pair turned and waved at us.
A twinge of regret mixed with pride filled me. I raised my hand and waved good-bye just as the pair shimmered brightly with silver light and then faded into the ether.
“They’re gone, aren’t they?” I asked Julius, surprised at the hint of sadness mingling with my relief.
He nodded. “Yes. And at peace, finally.”
“Together,” I added.
“Just the way it should be.” He clutched my hand and stood. “Let’s go. There’s a bottle of champagne and a tray of gourmet cheeses waiting for us on a private plane.”
A slow smile spread across my face. “Champagne?”
He chuckled. “You didn’t think I was going to let the council off too easily did you? Come on. I’m more than ready to leave this boat behind.”
I stood, curling my fingers around his. “Just one more stop.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“There’s a ghost waiting for me at the Green Parrot.”
26
The Green Parr
ot was empty save one lone customer sitting at the bar.
Muse.
“Hey,” I said, taking the seat next to her, noting her luggage piled up at her feet. Julius had left me to my task and was busy taking care of our own suitcases. “I thought we were meeting you on the dock.”
“It turns out someone needed my help with something.” She gave me a small smile and inclined her head toward a table a few feet away.
Bootlegger was sitting in a booth, in solid form, nursing a shot of whiskey.
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “That’s new.”
“It’s temporary. He said he has to make amends but didn’t know how. I figured after everything you all did for me, I could pay it forward.”
“That’s… kind of you. But where’s Cal and his girlfriend?” Without the couple in question, Bootlegger wasn’t going to be able to make good on his promise to Madeline.
“We found Cal. He was sulking in his stateroom. The girlfriend was down at the beach, but he was able to reach her. The only way he could convince her to come back before the ship is ready to depart was to promise her some time with me.” Her face flushed bright pink. “I haven’t interacted with a fan sober in… I don’t know how long.”
I glanced at the ice water in front of her and gave her a nod of approval. “You’ll do fine.”
“I hope so.”
“Just what the fresh hell is going on here?” I heard Ida May cry from across the room.
Muse and I both turned to find her hovering over Bootlegger.
He glanced up at her but said nothing. Instead, he raised his shot of whiskey in a salute and downed it.
Ida May turned and pressed her hands to her hips, her face scrunched up like a petulant child’s. “Why is he solid and I’m not?”
Muse nodded toward the bar entrance. The door had just opened and Cal was holding it open for his girlfriend.
Ida May flew over to us. “What do they have to do with anything?”
“Bootlegger is making amends,” I said as Muse got up to greet them.
The woman’s face was flushed with excitement while they took pictures and Muse signed autographs.
“With the guy he possessed the other night?” Ida May’s anger dissipated as she processed the information.
“Yep,” I said and signaled to the bartender. “Another water, please?”
Ida May rolled her eyes. “You are such a square.”
I nodded. Today I was anyway. Before long, I watched as Muse led Cal and his girlfriend over to Bootlegger. The old pirate got to his feet, shook their hands, then bowed his head as he tried to explain the situation.
“Oh, this is good,” Ida May said, chuckling.
I had to agree. The skepticism on the girlfriend’s face was classic. But then Muse reached out and touched Bootlegger, turning him transparent.
“Where did he go?” she cried.
Once again Muse reached out, but this time she touched the girlfriend.
Her eyes went wide in shock. “He’s transparent!”
“Duh,” Ida May said. She turned to me. “I’m bored.”
“Don’t worry. We’re leaving soon. I’m sure there’s some trouble you can get up to in New Orleans.”
She tsked. “I was hoping to get up to Bootlegger later.”
“I doubt that’s going to happen.” I tilted my head toward the end of the bar. Madeline had appeared and was standing primly, her hands clasped as she waited for Bootlegger to finish apologizing.
“Who is that?”
Madeline turned and waved to us, a pleasant smile on her face.
“Bootlegger’s significant other. I imagine as soon as he’s done, they’ll be reuniting.”
“Reuniting!” she all but shouted. “That two-timing, no good pirate. This vacation sucks.”
“It was never a vacation. We were here to—”
“Oh, forget it.” She glared at Madeline, then Bootlegger, then me.
I just smiled at her. “Sorry.”
Her lips formed a thin line, and I swore I saw smoke come out of her ears. “What’s a ghost gotta do in order to get a little sexy time? For the love of—” She let out a heavy sigh, glanced once at Bootlegger, then back at me. “This ship sucks. See you at the Grind.”
There was a small pop as she vanished into thin air.
Madeline glanced over at me, her eyebrows raised in question.
I shook my head, then smiled as I noticed Cal and his girlfriend leaving the bar. He had his arm around her, kissing the top of her head as she leaned into him, holding on as if she’d never let go.
“That worked out,” Muse said, striding up to me. She grabbed her luggage. “Ready?”
I nodded and waved to Bootlegger and Madeline as they too drifted off hand in hand.
What was that? Three for three reunions in the past few hours?
Grinning, I dropped a tip on the bar and stood. “Ready.”
The flight home had been luxurious if not eventful. Julius and I, Kane and Jade, and Muse shared the small private plane, landing at Louis Armstrong International just after midnight. The council had taken Xavier into custody. The ship had declared the paranormal activity resolved, and four ghosts had been set free. Not bad for three days’ worth of work, if I did say so myself.
“I can’t wait to get some sleep,” Julius said, holding my apartment door open.
I walked in, flipped the light on, and nearly wept in relief.
Home.
The place smelled faintly of freshly ground coffee and was so welcoming I contemplated collapsing right there on my overstuffed couch. Instead, I dropped my luggage and headed for the floor-to-ceiling windows and stared out over Bourbon Street, smiling at the familiar sights of tourists milling around below.
Julius walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Good to be home?”
I nodded and leaned into him. “Tell me you’re not going to sleep in your room tonight.”
He sucked in a small breath. Julius was technically my roommate. Not long after he’d transitioned from ghost status to human status, I’d offered him a room. Since then he’d been on his best behavior, insisting he sleep there until our relationship reached that crucial level. The one that meant we were headed toward something permanent. Something that meant rings and commitment. He was sort of old-fashioned. Heck, not sort of. He was old-fashioned, and the idea of living together wasn’t exactly in his comfort zone.
“You know how I feel about this. Moving too fast—”
I turned around and met his gaze head-on. “We slept in the same bed on the ship.”
“That’s not quite the same.”
“No. It’s not. And I understand why you wanted to keep separate bedrooms. Not move too fast. I really do. But here’s where I’m coming from—after this week’s ordeal, all I want is to feel safe in your arms. I want to know that if I wake up in the middle of the night, you’ll be there.”
He was quiet for a moment, then he leaned in and gently kissed me. “I think that sounds reasonable.”
“Reasonable?” I chuckled. “Who says that?”
He smiled down at me. “Men who are honorable.”
“Men who are infuriating.” I smiled back at him. “Come on. It’s late.”
“Just as long as you don’t plan to take advantage of me, Ms. Rayne. You know I have standards.” He winked and slid his fingers between mine.
“Right. You and your standards. But don’t worry, tonight I just want to sleep. Tomorrow you can worry about your virtue.”
He laughed and tugged me into the bedroom.
After we each performed our nightly routines, I climbed into bed wearing a tank top and night shorts. Julius was in sleep shorts, his glorious chest bare, lying on his back with his hands clasped behind his head.
I rolled over and cuddled up next to him.
“Is this your normal nightly attire?” he asked, glancing down at me.
“Nope.” I gave him my flirty smile. “But I didn’t wa
nt to offend your wholesome honor.”
A flash of heat flickered through his eyes, but when he blinked it was gone. “I appreciate it.”
I let out a huff of laughter. “Right.”
He tightened his hold on me, pulling me closer, and kissed the top of my head. “Good night, love.”
“Good night, Julius.”
As I lay there listening to his breathing turn steady, I gazed at our entwined legs, illuminated by the sliver of moonlight shining through the gap in the drapes. Peace washed over me, and for the first time in weeks, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. In Julius’s arms.
I lifted my head and placed a soft kiss to his lips and whispered, “I think I love you.”
He made a small contented sound and mumbled something unintelligible in his sleep.
Smiling, I tucked my head against his shoulder and instantly fell into a deep sleep.
I woke in the dead of the night, reaching for Julius. But all I found was an empty bed. I sat up, rubbing at my eyes, and spotted him standing at the window just as I had when we’d returned home a few hours ago. “Hey,” I said, my voice heavy with sleep. “What’s going on.”
He turned, a gentle smile on his face. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You didn’t.” I threw the covers off and swung my legs over the side of the bed. By the time I was on my feet, he was already by my side.
“Hey, there’s no need to get up.” He brushed the hair out of my eyes, letting his hand trail down my neck, making a delicious shiver tingle down my spine.
I stared into his heated gaze and on impulse licked my lips.
His eyes flickered to my mouth, lingering there.
My entire body seemed to flush, and I had to stop myself from swaying into him. I cleared my throat. “Is it me? Am I the one keeping you up? I guess sharing a bed wasn’t such a good—”
“Shh.” He cut me off as his free hand cupped my hip, pulling me forward.
I raised my eyebrows. “I thought we were just going to sleep.”
“We were.” He buried his hand in my hair and pulled me closer. “That was before you told me you think you love me.”