Travis gently cut in, then hugged her as they danced. “You look so beautiful, Mickala. I wanted to thank you for the honor of walking you down the aisle today. You just don’t know how much that meant to me.”
“Oh, Travis. You’re the closest thing I have to a father. There’s no one else I’d rather do it.”
He smiled, hugging her again. “I’m so damn proud of you, hun. You’re really doing it. You’re living your dreams, and you’re killing it. I mean, John Legend and Ed Sheeran just sang at your wedding. If that’s not making it big time, I mean, I don’t know what is.” She laughed, and he sighed. “I just wanted you to know I love you.”
“I love you, too, Travis,” she said.
It was almost one in the morning before the reception finally started to wind down. They already had a room at another hotel, and they ran to the car, bird seed and rose petals flying. The driver pulled away from the curb, and it was a short drive across the city. They were only spending the one night in Paris, then they were flying to Jamaica for a three-week vacation to a resort. All their luggage was in the car for the next morning, except for one overnight bag already on the bed.
* * *
They were exhausted, but they were so happy they couldn’t go to sleep, and they found several ways to spend their night. Aiden rolled onto his side, a hand on her stomach. “Mrs. Clarkson-Miller,” he whispered.
She smiled. “I’ll never tire of hearing that.” She rolled to face him, a hand on his cheek. “Thank you for letting me keep Clarkson.”
“I can’t believe you thought I wouldn’t. I know exactly how much Victor meant to you.” He kissed her, then chuckled. “I know Gary’s having a field day.”
She grinned. “He wanted to be here, but they had a minor crisis at the new hotel in LA. He swore he didn’t need me, but he wouldn’t be able to make it.” As soon as The Demons had showed signs of success, Mickala had turned overall day-to-day decisions of the massive corporation to him. He was more than happy to oblige, so long as she handled everything major.
Aiden chuckled. “I can imagine.” He sighed. “I still can’t believe we really did it.” He took her left hand, kissing her fingers with the rings. “I never thought I would ever find anyone I could settle down with, then boom! Our moms set us up, and while it hasn’t exactly been happily ever after, the good has far outweighed the bad.”
She laughed, interlocking their fingers. “Far more. We’re living our dream, and I couldn’t imagine living it with anyone besides you. As a matter of fact, if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be alive to live it at all.”
It was almost four in the morning before she finally fell asleep, but Aiden kept jerking himself awake, afraid he was going to oversleep and miss their flight. Finally, at nine, he woke Mickala up. “Come on, sleepy,” he said with a grin. “You can sleep on the plane.”
She got up and dressed in jeans, flip-flops, a crop top with flared sleeves and a v-neck, then pulled her hair back into a high ponytail. He was in jeans, sneakers and a green t-shirt, his hair into a low ponytail. They got in the car and headed to the airport. They could’ve used their jet, but Mickala didn’t want the extra exposure, so instead, they settled back in first class. As soon as they got in the air, she pulled out her battered copy of ‘The Stand’.
Aiden laughed quietly. “You had to have read that a million times.”
She grinned at him. “Maybe two, but it’s autographed. It’ll literally have to fall to pieces before I get rid of it. I can’t help it. It’s one of my favorite books.”
He put an arm around her, and they shared headphones to Mickala’s tablet, but it wasn’t even an hour later before they were both sound asleep. Aiden woke up about halfway through the flight, but Mickala was still asleep. Carefully, he got up to use the bathroom, and she was awake when he got back. They spent the rest of the flight talking about what they were going to do once they got to Montego Bay.
* * *
Finally, they landed, and once they got their bags, there was a man in a suit holding a board with their names, and he greeted them warmly. “Welcome to Jamaica, Mr. and Mrs. Clarkson-Stone. My name is Dejuan, and I’ll be your chauffeur. Please, let me take that,” he said, taking the baggage cart from Aiden. “If you’ll follow me.” Pushing the cart, he led them outside and opened the door to a sleek, black BMW. He loaded the bags into the trunk, then held the door open for Aiden and Mickala. He drove them to the Sandals resort, and Mickala couldn’t keep her eyes off the crystal clear blue and green water. Dejuan was very proud of his country, and they learned much in the thirty minutes to the resort. He pulled up in front of a large building, then let them out. “Get yourself checked in, and I’ll make sure your bags get to where they’re going.”
“Thank you so much, Dejuan,” Aiden said, then they went inside to check in. Once the woman behind the counter, just as friendly as Dejuan, realized who they were, and that they were on their honeymoon, she immediately upgraded them the largest over-water bungalow they had, which would give them their own personal butler, a low hanging hammock over the water, a small infinity pool, steps into the ocean water, a large hanging cabana, outdoor showers, soaking tub, a huge king sized bed, and a glass panel in the floor which let them look right into the water.
They were taken to their bungalow by a small boat, and their butler, a small, friendly woman named Zekia, welcomed them with two glasses of champagne. “Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Clarkson-Miller, to your bungalow. My name is Zekia, and anything you want or need, I’m here for you.”
“Nice to meet you, Zekia. I’m Aiden, and this is Mickala,” he said. There was already a bottle of wine on ice, and Zekia poured it into two wine glasses. After a few more minutes of explaining what her job was, she left them alone.
Mickala went outside, the constant breeze lifting her hair. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. “This is so beautiful,” she said. “I’m glad you talked me out of staying in Paris.”
Aiden was beside her, and his eyes widened. “What? You just admitted I was right?”
She laughed, taking his hand and interlacing their fingers. “I’m not that bad, am I?”
He put his arms around her, kissing her. “Not at all. So, what should we do first?”
Her eyes seemed to darken as she looked up at him through her eyelashes. “Oh, I could definitely think of a few things.”
Over the next three weeks, they did everything Jamaica offered, but her favorite thing was swimming with the dolphins. They were in the sun so much, her tan had turned dark brown, and her hair was like gold. Even Aiden’s skin had darkened. They spent plenty of time in the water, whether it was the ocean at their doorstep, their little pool, or even one of the bigger pools at the main resort. There were also plenty of spa treatments and massages, and they couldn’t remember every feeling more relaxed. At night, there were plenty of dinners and dancing, various parties and get-togethers, but they also loved taking long walks on the beach as the sun would set, waves rolling gently over their bare feet. Neither of them could imagine a better way to spend three weeks.
* * *
Finally, it was their last night on the island, and they already had everything packed, including two extra bags they’d had to get for everything they’d bought. They were taking one last walk on the deserted beach, and Mickala closed her eyes, turning to her halfway form. Aiden followed suit, his silver hair mingling with her black in the constant wind.
He took her in his arms and kissed her fiercely, and she locked her fingers in his hair, holding him to her. He took her hand. “Run with me,” he said. They took off, running stride for stride, and the forest flew by them, their speed every bit as natural to them as breathing. For the first time in a long time, they were in their halfway forms for only the pure enjoyment, the freedom and strength it gave them. They found a tiny, secluded stretch of pristine sand, and the full moon was reflecting off the gentle waves.
“It’s so beautiful,” she whispered.
<
br /> He smiled down at her. “Yeah, you are.”
She chuckled, and he brushed her hair out of his face. He leaned over and kissed her, and she felt his hands tighten around her waist. She didn’t even have time to gasp as he laughed, easily tossing her in the water. He stood to his waist in the waves, waiting for her to come up for air, but he never even saw a ripple. He got a little worried, but he hadn’t thought he’d thrown her all that hard. After a couple of minutes, he started in after her, his sharp eyes scanning the dark water.
Without warning, she exploded up from the water behind him, and her hands planted hard on his shoulders. He barely had enough time to take a lungful of air before she drove him under. He came up spluttering, his silver hair plastered to his face. Mickala was standing in front of him, just as serene as the surrounding night, and her eyes seemed to glow in the moonlight. He laughed once as he caught his breath. “I guess I deserved that.”
She laughed, then brushed her hair out of her eyes. “Oh, yeah. Totally.”
Hand in hand, they made their way back to the beach, then wrung as much water out of their hair, tails, and clothes as they could. She took his hand again. “Wait. I know how we can get dry.” He raised his eyebrows, and her giant wings unfurled, loose feathers landing gently on the water. Aiden picked one up, and it was easily as long as his forearm, plus part of his upper arm. “Climb on my back,” she said.
He eyed her. “Really?”
She laughed, sensing his hesitation. “Really. You’ll be as light as that feather in your hand.” Cautiously, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “Are you okay?” she asked, glancing back at him. “You sure you’re comfortable?”
“I’m fine,” he said. “What about you?”
As a response, he felt the muscles in her back tense, then with a single, huge flap of those wings, they were airborne. She laughed in his head at his gasp. What? You thought they were just for show?
Kind of, he admitted, holding on tighter, and she laughed again.
Each beat of her massive wings took them higher and faster until the entire island spread out underneath them. The cool wind whipped through their hair. This is incredible! he said as he relaxed.
He felt her body shaking with laughter. There’s nothing like it in the world.
How did I not know you could do this?
I never really thought about it, she said. We don’t get much time to run around in our halfway forms, much less fly over one of the most populated cities in the US.
He laughed, then yelled out in surprise as she did a couple of tight barrel rolls, followed by a loop-de-loop. Why are you avoiding the clouds?
The whole point of this was to dry off. If we go through a cloud, we’ll get soaked all over again. They flew up above the clouds, the stars lighting the way like millions of torches. The moon was so full and so close, it almost seemed like they could touch it.
How far can you go?
He felt her give a tiny shrug. As long as I want, I guess. I’ve never really paid much attention to distances when I’m up here. They seem not to matter as much. I knew I flew from London to Paris once about three hundred years ago…
And you don’t get tired? he asked.
Not really. My shoulders may hurt a little in the morning because I’m not used to working those muscles, but that’s all, she replied.
They flew for almost an hour, and even though it was late, they made sure the coast was clear before she landed lightly on their villa, her wings backpedaling much like a bird’s when it came in for a landing. She closed her eyes, and the wings vanished, and they both laughed as they went inside. “That was so amazing!”
She laughed as he took her in her arms and kissed her. “If I had known this would be your reaction, I would’ve taken you flying a long time ago.”
He tossed her on the bed, pinning her hands above her, her black hair pooled under her, her golden eyes staring up at him. They made their last night in Jamaica worth it, and they barely had enough time to get checked out in time to catch their flight home, talking excitedly the whole way.
Twenty Eight
Revelations
They landed in Atlanta, then caught another flight up to New York. Aiden got their luggage, then they jumped into a cab. She curled up against him as soon as they were on their way. After being out of the city for almost a month, she’d almost forgotten the traffic. Almost. Finally, they made it to their apartment. They hadn’t told anyone they were coming home, wanting to surprise them.
The elevator opened directly into the living room, and Chad looked up in surprise from raiding the fridge, and a huge grin lit up his face. “Hey, they’re back!” he yelled out, and the others came pouring into the living room. “Damn, you’ve done and got dark on us,” he said with a laugh, hugging them both.
“All the sun and sand,” she said, then she and Nehela went into her and Aiden’s room so she could start unpacking.
The elf hugged her tightly. “I’m so glad you’re back. It sucks being the only female in house full of men.”
Mickala smiled, kissing her cheek. “I missed you, too.” Nehela asked if she had fun. She rolled her eyes skyward. “Fun isn’t even the word. We need to have a girl’s week.”
It didn’t take her long to unpack, and they both laid across her bed. “So, what’s been going on since we’ve been gone?”
“Actually, it’s been pretty quiet.”
“How are you and Ian doing?”
Nehela sighed happily. “It seems to get better every day. I’ve known him for almost five hundred years, but I’ve never imagined he could have such a sweet, gentle side. Of course, he would probably kill me for telling you all of this. He’s determined his reputation will remain intact, regardless of everything else.”
Mickala laughed. “Maybe not kill. Just horribly maim.”
They talked for a few more minutes, then they went into the living room, and Ian hugged her again. “I’m so glad you and Aiden are back. I felt my IQ dropping by the second.” Chad punched him lightly on the arm and just barely dodged the return blow.
They felt as if they’d been gone no time at all as they fell back into that easy going routine. Especially once they started getting back into the studio. They had enjoyed their time off, but they were overjoyed when they started work on their fifth studio album.
* * *
It was about three weeks away from the release of the album, almost four months after their wedding when Mickala suddenly felt dizzy and lightheaded. They were in the middle of rehearsals for their tour, which was about two months away, so she just shook it off, but it came back a few minutes later. She called for a quick, five-minute break, thinking maybe she just needed to eat or drink something. It seemed to go away, so she didn’t mention anything to anyone, even though her demon family seemed to keep looking at her funny.
After rehearsal, they all surprised her with a birthday party. She was finally, officially, twenty-one. When the party was over, they all looked at her. “So, birthday girl,” Nehela said with a grin. “What do you want to do tonight?”
Mickala grinned back. “Well, I do know there’s a new club opening tonight, and since I’m now legally twenty-one, I don’t have to bewitch people to get a drink, so let’s go!”
They went back to the apartment to get showered and changed. Ian was in all-black, Aiden in red and black, Chad wore white, Philip was in blue and white, and EJ matched with red, black, and white. Nehela was in an emerald green, sleeveless minidress, thigh high matching boots, and she pulled the top half of her silvery blonde hair back, the rest hanging down, and Mickala had on a dark red and black two-piece outfit. It was a crop top that tied in the middle of her chest, and it had one sleeve with the other arm bare. The bottom was a short, short skirt, and her black boots were calf high, leaving the rest of her long legs bared.
“Damn!” EJ exclaimed, and the girls laughed, tossing their hair back.
Aiden hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her, and she grin
ned, taking his arm. “Come on!”
They went downstairs, where the car Ian had called was waiting, and it took them to the packed club. Aiden went up to the bouncer and gave their names. Within a few minutes, they were all inside, and they immediately got a VIP table. The music was thumping, and the lights were flashing brightly. After Mickala ordered a round of tequila, she took Aiden’s hand and they went out onto the dance floor. Chad, Philip, and EJ took off to find a girl to dance with, and Ian raised his eyebrows at Nehela, who just grinned, and he led her onto the dance floor.
They danced and drank until last call at two in the morning. All of them had a higher blood temperature than humans, and it kept them from getting wasted, but they were all a little tipsy, especially the girls. They got something to eat from the bar before the kitchen closed, and by the time they left the club for home, they were almost sober. They got back to the apartment, and they took their showers, then Mickala dove into bed, Aiden right behind her.
* * *
The dizzy spells kept coming off and on over the next couple of weeks, but she didn’t have any idea what was causing them. There didn’t seem to be anything specific to set them off. One day, Aiden came home from the store just a few days before the start of the tour, and the apartment was oddly quiet. Usually, Mickala had the radio on or something, being unable to handle a silent house after Victor’s death, so the silence of the house immediately unnerved him. He didn’t think she’d gone anywhere, and he knew she would’ve told him if she had.
He called her name, but there wasn’t an answer. He knew Ian and Nehela had been planning on going out to dinner and a movie, and Chad and Philip were on their way home from Georgia. Aiden called again, but it was still silent, and felt the beginnings of a vague uneasiness, so he got his phone out and called hers, unable to even get her to answer him mentally. He heard her ringtone, ‘Fallen’, coming from the bedroom. He ran through the house, but stopped when he got into the room.
His phone fell to the floor, still ringing. Mickala was sprawled out at the foot of the bed, her phone still buzzing on the nightstand. He dropped to his knees by her side, and her face was extremely pale, her breathing shallow, and her pulse was flying. He didn’t know how long she’d been unconscious, but it took him fifteen minutes of doing everything he could to rouse her. Her eyes finally fluttered open, and he cradled her tightly against his chest. “What happened?” she whispered weakly.
Releasing the Demons: Solarian Chronicles II Page 25