Chapter 22
Twenty-Two
Kai
Reading is exhilarating. Who knew?
Kidding. Of course you knew, little bookworm. I’m just late to the party.
While strolling downtown with my girl in my arms, I’m flying as high as a kite. Figuratively, of course. Obviously, I can’t fly yet. Hell, I don’t know if I ever will.
It’s nice carrying her in my arms for a change rather than holding on to her waist for dear life. I’ve had a bad feeling since reuniting with her, though. Something is off.
She can tuck her wings away, but when she tucks them away, I can typically still see them.
The wings fold inward toward her body when she tucks them behind her back, making them appear quite different in size.
I noticed they were missing as soon as I saw her, but holding her in the bookshop is what made my mind start spinning.
Now that I’m carrying her in my arms, my level of concern is rising by the minute. Her body is tense—more tense than usual. I even avoided walking through Times Square because of how stiff she feels in my arms.
Where the hell are her wings? Do angel wings magically disappear upon entering this realm? I guess I wouldn’t know.
“What show are we seeing?” she asks, peering up into my eyes. Heavens. I didn’t even realize we’d arrived on Broadway Avenue.
I lift my eyes to the vertical sign’s bold text lighting up the entire block under the moonlit night sky.
“How about the witchy one?” I offer nonchalantly, setting her down on her own two feet in front of me, immediately draping both of my arms around her shoulders. She reaches up and grabs hold of my forearms.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard of that one.”
“Perfect. The music is iconic. I heard they’re even making a movie based on the story. You’ll love it.” I grin, walking ahead of her and reaching out for her hand. She takes my hand hesitantly and allows me to lead her.
I may be smiling, but my mind is working overtime. Something isn’t adding up.
We walk in comfortable silence among a sea of people into the theatre and settle on sitting in the back section on the upper level.
A wave of excitement nearly drowns me on our way up the stairs.
Everyone in the theatre is buzzing with anticipation.
The entire front section on the lower floor is occupied.
Thankfully, the upper level of the theatre isn’t too crowded tonight.
Given how it’s a random Monday in January, I can’t say I’m surprised.
I’ve never been one to prefer alone time with my significant other. In my past relationship, I spent a lot of time around others—friends, family, and acquaintances. As extroverts, my ex and I thrived in crowds.
With Cleo, things couldn’t be more different.
I’ve found that I prefer to spend time alone with her.
I almost feel a bit territorial over her, which isn’t normal for me.
I just want her to be comfortable. Always.
I mean, it doesn’t take a genius to see that she clearly isn’t an extrovert.
She’s much more skilled at watching than being watched.
Consequently, I feel closest to her when we’re alone. I’m not used to that.
We sink into two comfortable burgundy velvet chairs in the very last row. Upon sitting down, I slink my arm around her shoulders and lean into her side. Instead of pulling away, she folds into me, cozying up into my arm.
The theatre’s lighting dims as the actors take the stage. Colorful beams of light shine on the stage, setting the mood. I’ve never seen a show on Broadway myself, so in theory, I should be fucking stoked to experience this.
But as I glance to my right, I realize the only thing I have the capacity to think about right now is her.
The feel of her wingless back.
The stiffness in her shoulders.
The way her smile has failed to reach her eyes most of today.
I’m dying—no pun intended—to help her, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned about her over the last several weeks, it’s that she doesn’t accept help easily.
“What are you staring at?” she asks in a whisper.
“Oh, just the most beautiful labyrinth I’ve ever known.”
Her cheeks redden, transforming into my new favorite shade of pink.
“‘Labyrinth?’” Her brows raise. “Care to explain?”
“What’s there to explain, angel? I’ve been trying to figure you out since the moment you walked into my life, and I have a feeling I still have yet to scratch the surface.”
She stifles a smile and bites her lower lip, turning toward the stage. As the show commences, I catch her cracking smiles and even bursting into gentle laughter a handful of times.
I’ve missed that laugh.
Eventually, she leans forward, propping her elbows on her knees and letting her head rest on them. I slide my arm down and gently rub her back. She flinches when my hand intercepts the spot where her wings should be.
It takes all my strength not to react outwardly.
Instead, I continue nimbly stroking her back. She closes her eyes and relaxes her back. “More of that, please.”
I chuckle and give in to her request, pushing aside my rising unease. I continue tracing her back for several minutes when I suddenly realize I have absolutely no idea what this play is really about anymore.
My hand makes its way to her front side, resting on her thigh just below the hem of her skirt.
Though a layer of sheer tights separates my skin from hers, the air between us thickens.
She eyes me, then parts her supple lips as my hand climbs higher, tightly gripping her velvet soft thigh. Damn, I love holding her like this.
She leans into my touch and lets out a gentle moan in relief, sending a jolt of pent-up energy through my body. I’ve never heard her make a sound like that before. I’d trek through heaven and hell to listen to it again.
But I can’t stop thinking about her wings—or lack thereof. Instead of taking things a step further, I take them a step back. I grasp her soft thigh and pull her toward me, hooking my arm around her. With my arm wrapped around her, everything else fades.
Suddenly, it’s only colorful stage lights, soothing music, and us—my angel and me.
She closes her eyes and swallows, then delicately rests her head on my shoulder. This isn’t quite what I had in mind when I expressed wanting to help her. But holding her in my arms and experiencing something new together for the first time is better. A thousand times better.
I’m ruined, aren’t I?
“How did you like it?” Cleo asks nonchalantly as we exit the venue and enter the busy street, the smell of roasted nuts in the air.
“Like what? The snuggling or the show?”
She rolls her eyes and nudges my arm, glancing away at a crowded pizza stand, clearly attempting to conceal her smile. We continue following the street, wandering aimlessly without a care in the world. “You know what.”
“I liked it. Can’t say it was as memorable as I had hoped, though—especially considering it was over three hours long. We’ll have to see it again sometime.” I crack a smile, knowing full well that the odds of being able to see that show again are slim to none.
The longer I stay in this realm, the more I realize how faulty my idea of running away was. It’s only a matter of time before someone catches me—us.
Us. I like the sound of that.
“How about you?” I brush her shoulder. “Did you like it?”
“I enjoyed it.” She beams, staring at a nearby skyscraper, then her eyes lift even higher. “I wish Eloras provided entertainment like that.”
“Do you think the Golden Realm provides that?”
She shrugs. “I’ve heard rumors that the Golden Realm provides everything an angel could ever dream of. If that’s true, then I’d have to assume that type of theatrical entertainment must be available way up there.”
“You know what, I bet that realm is itching to recruit your ex-lover-friend-hater, Stephen.” I wiggle my eyebrows. “He has some of the most refined acting skills I’ve ever seen. The term ‘Drama King’ has to have been coined just for him.”
Cleo stops dead in her tracks and bends over, clutching her stomach tightly, shaking.
“Whoa, are you okay?” I step in front of her.
She slowly lifts her eyes to meet mine and honks like a goose with the broadest grin on her face.
Her hands quickly rise to cover her mouth, but it’s no use—she’s laughing so hard her eyes are watering.
Then she proceeds to honk again. She shakes her head and attempts to rein in her laugh as mortification takes over her features.
“Please, for the love of everything, forget you ever heard that atrocious sound escaping my lips.”
I break into a grin, my chest rumbling with laughter.
“Too late now. That atrocious sound has permanently taken up residency right here.” I gesture to my head.
We fall back into step with each other, walking downtown and eyeing fully-lit shops as we pass them. New York City lives up to its title. It truly is the city that never sleeps.
But after the last several days I’ve had, nothing sounds nicer than some rest.
“Have you ever visited upstate? I’ve been wanting to check out the mountains and cabins there but haven’t had the chance to. What do you say? We head there tonight for a change of scenery?” I offer.
She hesitates, then nods her head. “Why upstate? Why don’t we head back to Chrysocolla Cove?”
“I’ve heard upstate is pretty. And it’s closer.”
“It is beautiful.”
“Ah, so you have visited there before? Perfect, then you can teleport us there.”
“I suppose your wish is my command, Kai Greene.”
“Don’t tease me, Cleo.” I peer into her brown eyes with a crooked smile. “You know that’s a fantasy of mine.”
She scoffs and grabs on to my waist, burying her head into my chest. “Hold on tight.”
As we teleport upstate, I release a breath of relief. Maybe she’ll be more comfortable opening up to me in a less chaotic area. It’s killing me not knowing what’s going on in that gorgeous head of hers. I just want to help.
Although I’m still convinced her afterlife would be remarkably brighter without me in it, I’d give anything to just be there for her. Anything.