Chapter Four
F alling down an oddly impossible hole in the base of a tree.
It’s something I read in a human book once. So very curious. Such a strange analogy, and yet no less accurate to describe what the sensation of returning to my body feels like.
Peculiar, weightless, and… a little bit dizzying.
Once I reached the portal–door? I actually don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s more of a thin spot? Anyways, when I reached the space where I was able to return, I tumble so quickly back into my body, that I don’t even get a chance to make sure Lucian is following me.
I swear if that mate of mine is still in the Between, I won’t be nice this time. I’ll drag him out by his gorgeous hair. Two big fistfulls. And yes, I am ignoring the fact that in that plane we seem to have no bodies, so there is nothing for me to actually grab. That’s besides the point.
My lungs start to burn and ache, and I try hard to suck in a deep breath. The whole struggle makes me panic, which leads to my eyes flying open wide and my body basically catapulting itself to a seated position.
However, I clearly did not expect to meet any resistance by having a face to be so close to mine, and when my forehead connects hard with theirs, I flop back down.
Oh look. You do see stars if you hit your head hard enough.
“Not again!” Blake’s voice yells.
I rub my hand across my forehead. Damn that hurt. When I finally get my eyelids to cooperate, I glance to my side and see my merfolk-demon mate cradling his nose. Blood drips from his fingers and his scowl is pointed directly at me.
Overcome with joy at seeing my mate, I jump into his arms, and he kisses me breathlessly until–
Ok, you can stop laughing now.
As much as I would have loved that kind of reunion, what I got instead was much more like…
“You broke my fucking nose. Again! Why woman?! Why must you mutilate my pretty face?”
“Well what the fuck were you doing with your face so close to mine like a damn creeper?!” I lovingly yell back.
“I thought you were struggling to breathe. I was going to help you and then… WHACK! Right to the face.” His scrunched eyebrows and the exasperation in his voice are nearly believable.
He was scared. Like truly scared. I slowly sit up, ready to help him with his nose, when another voice draws my attention.
“I’m going to need help over here!” My father says in a panicked tone.
My face whips in his direction and then straight to the mate next to me. The one currently trapped in ice.
If Lucian made it back to his body then–
“Fuck! We have to get him out of this! Fast!”
Orobas is already applying heating spells to his feet and legs. Blake immediately abandons his poor crooked nose, and focuses his attention on Lucian’s torso. That just means I need to get this ice off his face.
Gently.
Great. No pressure at all here guys. Let’s just give the chick who barely knows how to control her magick the most sensitive part of his fucking body!
Ok deep breaths, Forsythia. You can do this. You have to do this. Oh Gods, what if I fuck him up? But if I don’t do something soon… he’s probably suffocating!
I hear the ice cracking further down his bday and that noise seems to spur me into action. I let my instincts take over and rub my hand across the ice, trying to understand how to do this delicately, when my power starts to build. As I call on it, my hand moves to the space directly above Lucian’s mouth. I stab my finger down onto the ice as the command leaves my lips.
“Release.” So heavily laced with my magick, it voice doesn’t even sound like mine.
Watching in awe as the ice immediately disperses from his mouth, I hear him suck in a breath. Relief floods me, but my magick is already taking hold with the intent clear. I’m hit with a sudden chill, before a force of wind knocks me ass over heels away from my mate.
I lie there, sucking in a few steadying breaths, as Blake rushes to my side. “Forsythia, are you okay?!” I don’t answer him, but instead move my head so I can see Lucian, and discover all of the ice that was surrounding my mate is now gone.
Not melted. Not broken.
Gone.
Is it possible to be awestruck by your own abilities?
If so, I’m definitely there, because that was amazing.
I turn back to Blake, reach up and gently touch his nose. He winces at the contact, but doesn’t shy away.
“I’m sorry.” I say lamely. I don’t truly feel at fault. After all, he was entirely too close to my face. Thankfully my magick understands my need and Blake grunts as his nose rights itself with a pop.
He grins at me, and I return the expression. I missed his beautiful face. Even if it is currently covered in blood.
Reaching his hand out, he helps me stand. Together we Make it to Lucian just in time to see his gorgeous bright copper-red eyes slowly blink open.
Relief floods me in waves and tears prick my eyes. He’s alive. I brought him back.
Unfortunately, before I get a chance to say anything sweet at all to show my relief at having my mate back with us, Blake opens his big fat mouth.
“Welcome back to the land of the living Gigantor!”
If I hadn’t just fixed his damn nose, I might be tempted to break it again.