Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
TILDA
Silently, Max peers over my shoulder. “Is that a swan feather?”
“From the original swan maiden coat. It took some searching to find that feather in the basement of the house where you were born. Your mother and father helped me excavate into an ancient level, thought to be only a myth. They were relieved to learn you were not dead and shocked to hear of your troubles, though I didn’t tell the entire story, as that is yours to tell.
” Ion adds, “Perhaps you might visit them at some point.”
“Or invite them here.” Max returns his hand to my back.
“When I was a child, my aunt told me that our family had lived in the place where our house was built for many generations. She said that as houses became fashionable, they were built upon a dugout home in the hill.” I can’t take my eyes off the feather. “I never believed that story.”
Ion says, “I think you were not alone, but even so, your parents were open to digging under their foundation to help you.”
My chest is so tight, I can’t form a response. I always believed my mother and father would be horrified to see what I’ve become, but Ion says that’s not true. I swallow. “You told them I’m a vampire.”
“It was necessary to explain why you are unable to shift into your swan and why you disappeared. However, that is all I told them. I didn’t mention Pierre or the last seven or so years, only that you had been changed against your will.” His voice is as calm as ever.
Meanwhile, it feels as if I’m coming out of my skin. “They must have been horrified.” The breeze reaches inside the envelope and ruffles the delicate afterfeathers. A wave of desire pounds into me as if the feather were calling to me.
Ion touches my arm. “No. They were concerned and relieved to learn you are alive.” He pulls back. “Take the feather, Tilda. You are more than a vampire, and you deserve to be what you were born to be.”
A rare drop of perspiration forms at my temple and drips down my face.
I step away from Max and Ion, then turn to face them.
If this doesn’t work, I don’t know what I’ll do.
The idea of touching that feather and nothing happening stills my hand.
“I’m done living in fear.” I reach inside and press the calamus between my index finger and thumb.
The hollow shaft feels delicate and strong at once.
The cardboard drops away as I press the swan feather to the center of my chest and wrap both hands around it.
My chest warms.
Light pours out from beneath my hands.
Pain rips through my body as my neck elongates and my arms thin and reshape into wings. My toes web as my head reforms. I cry out in joy, but it’s an oo-oo-oo that is followed by hissing. My vision shifts from central to peripheral, and I flap my beautiful wings.
Unable to contain my joy, I run toward the pond and take off before I reach the water. I soar through the air, flapping until I’m above the trees. The sun breaches the clouds, and its rays have no effect on me in this glorious form.
Climbing higher, I catch a current and let it take me along.
This is all I’ll ever want. To be free and soar until I find a wide lake to swim in.
Magically, my wings take me farther and farther from Harmony Glen.
I could coast to the Atlantic Ocean. Maybe I’ll hop a ride on a transatlantic ship, then seek out my parents, and then forget the last seven years ever happened.
Max.
His name caresses my mind. It’s as if I can hear his deep voice calling out to me. Drawing me home.
Not to a home across the ocean with my parents.
To the house in the woods northeast of Harmony Glen with the small pond and enormous bed.
That’s the home that I long for and the creature I want by my side.
It was there that I fell in love and knew there would always be another who would make sure I was safe, and that I would do the same for him.
Dipping my right wing, I careen around and have to drop out of the current to turn back to the west. Desperate to return, I fly hard and fast until I spy my bigfoot standing in the center of his backyard, staring up at the sky. Several yards behind him, Ion watches as well.
I lower and land in the pond, displacing water as I flap my wings and settle. My webbed feet push through the water rapidly, moving me toward shore.
Ion goes to the side of the house. “Call if you need anything.” He smiles and walks around and out of sight.
Max grunts, a low rumble growing louder from his chest. His gaze never strays from me as I step onto land and shift into vampire form.
Naked, my skin cools in the breeze. The sun peaks out, and I flinch.
Dragging his shirt over his head, he rushes forward and holds it over me like a parasol. “Let’s get you inside.”
As soon as we’re behind the slider, Max drops the shirt and pulls me into his arms. “I thought I’d lost you again.”
The hair on his chest and arms teases my skin, and I’m truly home in his arms. “You will never lose me. I’m yours, and you are mine.”
His mouth presses against the crown of my head. “You flew away as if I didn’t exist. You were out of sight. I’ve never felt more alone. Having you in my life is the first time I’ve felt like maybe I have a family, a real one.”
Leaning back, I cup his face with both hands. “I’ll admit, as the swan, I longed for the freedom of flying far forever. Then you were present in my heart and mind. That was when I knew you would always be home for me, Max.”
He presses his forehead to mine, but doesn’t speak.
Covering my mouth with his, he kisses me deeply and traces his tongue over my sharp canines.
He nips at my bottom lip, and our tongues dance together.
When I’m dizzy from desire, he breaks the kiss.
“You are all I will ever want or need, Tilda. I love you. Everything I am is for you, my mate.”
I leap up and wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. “I love you. You’re like a dream I never thought could come true. You’re better than anything I could ever want.”
“What about becoming a swan again?” He brushes the hair out of my face and, cupping the back of my head, he kisses my cheek.
“Shifting was like getting a lost limb back. I can’t explain how good it felt, but for the moment that I considered flying forever, missing you was the worst pain I’ve ever felt. I am the swan, and I’m blessed to have that part of me back.”
He nods and smiles. There’s true happiness in his eyes. Even though having my wings back means I could fly away, Max is happy for me. He would let me go if that’s what I wanted.
I need him to understand. Clinging to him, I meet his stunning dark eyes. “Being your mate is the greatest gift. I would suffer seven hundred years under Pierre’s thumb if it meant finding you at the end.”
He holds me tight. “There will be no more suffering, love. I’ll do whatever is needed to make you happy.”
While I know his existence is enough, I’m too choked up with emotion to tell him. Instead, I let him carry me to the bedroom and the rest of our lives.