Chapter 46
46
P ari gave Melvale a blank stare. He was doing it again. Spying on her emotions. Could she not have a moment’s privacy? Especially considering the way she felt right now?
He looked into her eyes and shook his head. “No, Kahtala Miah. I will not accommodate your fear.”
Her heart sank. “What… what does that mean?”
He cupped one side of her face with his large hand. “Little one, you are so fearful, so afraid to let anyone get close.” His eyes roamed her face, and tears stung the backs of her eyes. Did he have to slam her with the truth like that?
Pari swallowed hard, willing the tears back, but her eyes misted anyway. “I… can’t help it.”
“I know,” he whispered gently. “Let me help you.”
She shook her head. “No one can help me but me.” She hung her head, ashamed he knew what her emotions were. “I just want to go upstairs.”
“I know, sweet one,” he said so gently she almost believed he cared for her. But why would he? It made no sense.
She blinked back tears and forced herself to look him in the eyes. “I’m sorry.”
His head tilted ever so slightly. “For what?”
She shrugged. “I’m not… I can’t be…”
He drew closer. “But you are.”
And then, he kissed her.
Time stopped.
It was nothing, really, a gentle brush of his lips against hers, but she swore the world stopped turning on its axis. And something not only wrapped itself around her entire being but entered her as well. Was it his heart?
Pari stared at him dumbfounded when he pulled away. She was speechless, and her mind registered nothing but him. He looked so innocent in that moment, yet so incredibly fierce. But not like a warrior. No, this was something different. This was an attack on her disbelief. A blow to her insecurities. And she didn’t know what to do.
He lowered his hand from her cheek, pulled her into his arms, and held her.
Her chest heaved, and a sob escaped. Oh, good grief, here comes the waterworks!
Melvale didn’t say a word. He just held her and ran a warm hand up and down her back as that one little kiss crushed the wall she’d erected around her heart.
How did he do that?!
Slowly, she wrapped her arms around him. What could it hurt? Being in his arms felt so good, and his broad chest was more than a comfort. It was safety and peace and…
Her breath caught, and Pari squeezed her eyes shut against the flow of tears. How could this man be home? How?! He wasn’t even human!
Pari sensed someone enter the kitchen. Melvale looked their way, then whomever it was, scurried off.
He continued to hold her, and she him, and Pari didn’t know what to do or think at this point. She didn’t want to go back into the other room. She was too spent.
“Come, precious one,” he whispered.
Pari pulled an arm in, wiped at her eyes with her hand, but didn’t look at him. She must look a mess.
“I’ll take you upstairs…”
That got her attention, and she gazed up at him. “Okay.”
He gave her a tender smile, scooped her into his arms, and headed for the other room.
“I can walk you know,” she pointed out.
“I know.” He kept going, entering the dining room and in a commanding voice said something in his native tongue to the others. The man with the short cropped brown hair hurried into the kitchen and emerged with the two bags and drinks. He followed them out of the apartment along with Kwaku, Zara, Dallan and Shona. The girl Kitty hesitated, then also followed.
“What are you doing?” Pari asked Melvale as he started up the stairs.
“Taking you home.”
“What?”
He smiled, and she noticed his foot falls made no sound. “To your apartment, kitten, where you can rest.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and peeked over his shoulder at the entourage behind them. “But we won’t be alone.”
“We will. But they will guard us.”
They reached the fourth floor, and he put her down.
Pari pulled her key from her back pocket, unlocked the door, and walked in. “What of the others?”
“They will not disturb us.” He took the key, handed it to Kwaku, then guided her to her bedroom, closing different doors behind him. That done he led her to the bed. “Lay down.”
She did as he asked, and her heart melted when he covered her with a blanket, then knelt beside the bed and gazed into her eyes. “Better?”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
He smiled. “I will always protect you, Pari. Even if it must be from yourself.”
The tears came so fast she didn’t have time to blink them back. Is that what happened downstairs? What was happening now? He was protecting her from all the things she believed about herself?
She sniffed. “Dr. Merrill told me I’m a danger to myself at times.”
Melvale brushed a finger across her bangs. “Some people are. I’ve done it.”
“You?”
He nodded. “Oh, yes.” Melvale kissed her forehead. “But the only danger to me now, is you.”
Her face screwed up. It was an effort. “Why?”
“Because you are my heart. You don’t understand what that means yet, but you will.”
“But…”
“No. Do not push the thought away. Do not push me away, Kahtala Miah.” He drew closer and kissed her hair.
She looked at him, still unable to comprehend why he was doing what he was doing. The gentle touching, the looks of admiration, all of it. “This isn’t real.”
Melvale smiled. “You tell yourself that for protection. I understand.” He rested his forehead against hers. “I want you to rest, but are you hungry?”
“I was, but not anymore,” she whispered then yawned.
“The day has been long. Sleep, precious one. I will be here.”
“But…”
He shook his head and put a finger to her lips. “Rest.”
Something deep inside her responded, and she closed her eyes, unable to help it.
Pari heard him sigh and settle himself against the bed.
“You don’t have to sit on the floor,” she whispered.
He moved, and soon lay behind her, pulling her against him. As soon as she rested in the safety of his arms, she drifted off to sleep.
Dallan downed his food then looked at Shona and Kitty. “Ye’ve got yer work cut out for ye.”
“We know,” Kitty said. She popped the last of her fries into her mouth. “We can handle it.”
Shona glanced at Kwaku and Zara who were at the kitchen sink. “What do you think?”
Kwaku took on a contemplative look. “She is fearful, yes, and must learn dat not all will leave her. She does not understand love. Melvale will have to teach her. Show her. Prove himself.”
Shona ran a hand through her hair. “And I thought I was messed up.”
“You were Muiraran and didn’t know it,” Kitty said. “Pari is human. And, judging from everything you’ve been saying, she’s had it rough. Sheesh, give the girl a break. This is gonna take some time, that’s all. I remember being afraid of all of you, and I don’t have near the baggage she does, poor thing.”
“We all have baggage,” Shona pointed out. “I’m sure everyone in this room has suffered some kind of trauma.” She looked at Kwaku and Zara. “Even you.”
“And you would be right,” Zara said and gave Kwaku a sympathetic look.
Shona wanted to ask what the look was for, but it was none of her business. Pari was their number one concern right now. “So, we stay? Even if there are risks?”
“Yes,” Dallan said. “We’ll make sure they are well guarded, but we’ll also have to watch ourselves. Ye have to admit, we’re no exactly inconspicuous.”
“Not with your height and looks,” Kitty pointed out. She eyed Kwaku and Zara. “That goes for you guys too. What if that weirdo doctor dude got his hands on any of you?”
Shona shuddered. “I’d rather not think about it.”
“She is right,” Kwaku said. “We must be extra careful.”
“Why not operate out of someplace else?” Kitty asked.
Shona left the table to dispose of her empty bag. “What do you mean?”
“You know, another apartment? Maybe one in Manhattan?” Kitty looked at each of them in turn.“At least Pari and Melvale will still be in New York.”
“That’s not the point,” Shona said. “You’re putting her into a strange place. This is home, where she feels the most comfortable. Melvale has his best shot of winning her here.”
“And if he doesn’t?” Kitty asked.
“He will,” Kwaku said. “But he needs time.” He looked toward Pari’s small living room. “Where is Archer?”
“Standing guard in the outside hall,” Dallan said.
“Fetch him.”
Dallan gave him a single nod and left the kitchen. In moments, Archer was in the room, inching his way toward the refrigerator.
“Didn’t you have enough to eat?” Kitty asked.
He shrugged. “Never.”
Kwaku opened the freezer, grabbed a container of ice cream, and shoved it into his hands. “We need an apartment. Two would be better. Preferably in building nearby.”
Archer nodded as he pried off the lid. “I can do that. If there are any available.”
“You want to set up a base of operation?” Kitty asked.
Kwaku gave her a single nod. “Yes. I want guards here at all times. Find de shortest in height we have, de ones dat can blend in best wid de humans.”
“Got it.” Archer found a big spoon and took a huge bite of ice cream.
“Create a team to work on dis building. Maintenance. New paint, fix tings. Dat way our people are here every day.”
“That’s clever,” Kitty said.
“You will stay in one of de apartments, my treasure. Let our enemy dink you live dere.”
“And what about us?” Dallan asked.
“You too.”
Archer took another bite of ice cream. “There’s a lot of work going on at the building right next door. I’ll see what I can find out. I don’t think any of the apartments are rented.”
“Ask if the building is for sale,” Dallan suggested.
“Good idea,” Kwaku said. “Buy it. If it is not for sale, make dem an offer.”
“We’ll be Pari’s neighbors,” Kitty said with a smile.
“Yes, and her friends ,” Kwaku drawled.
Dallan nodded. “Genuine friends. This isna for show.”
“Of course,” Shona said. “She is Melvale’s mate. Naturally we want to be friends with her.”
“She will try to push you away,” Zara said solemnly. “Be patient with her.”
Kitty nodded. “Gotcha.”
Shona nodded too. “We understand.” She sighed and looked at the table. “I used to do the same thing at one time.”
Kwaku smiled at them. “You two will make good friends for her. Maida too.”
Kitty smiled. “This will be fun.” Her smile broadened. “And I have an idea to bring us all together.”
“What idea is that?” Shona asked.
Kitty grinned. “You’ll see. And Melvale will love it!”