Her heart exploded with happiness. She reached for his hand.
I hope you’re sincere.
I hope you know what you’re doing.
The ring slid right off his finger. She held it in the palm of her hand. “You’re free.”
He stood and pulled her up. Sonhos landed on the railing and cawed as Malik led them out into the yard. As she watched, he pulled off his shirt and turned as the sun warmed his bare chest. He bent forward and then suddenly straightened and threw his shoulders backwards.
Wings that closely resembled those of the crow suddenly sprouted from his back and blocked the sun. Her eyes widened as she watched Malik spread them wide and stretch the feathers.
“You... you... have wings.”
He gave her a sly grin and effortlessly picked her up. “I’m going to teach you how to fly.”
Astonishment prevented her from speaking as she snuggled against him. With a slight jump, he held her tight against his chest as they rose, higher and higher, Sonhos at his side. Tori watched as he got smaller and smaller before the clouds blocked her view.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see, my love.”
His wings wrapped around them like a cocoon, and she suddenly felt them spin. A bright light flashed and then his wings were flapping again as they flew on.
Except the sky was different, more of a greyish cobalt instead of the day’s bright blue. The clouds were more of a mist than the puffy white cotton balls that had dotted the horizon mere moments before.
And they were flying toward a mountain unlike anything she had ever seen before. Solid, craggy rock, similar to an iceberg, that sparkled as if faceted rather than icy. She couldn’t see the bottom, nor could she see the peaks. He flew to an opening that appeared, and his wings folded in as he set her down.
The cave was more of a bedroom chamber. It was warm when she expected cold, and torches lit of their own accord as they moved around. It was familiar.
You’ve been here before.
But you weren’t you.
“This looks like something that would be in a castle.”
Malik shrugged. “It is my family’s ancestral home.”
“Where are we?”
He caressed her cheek. “You would not understand, but we’re in a realm outside of your own. My demon genetics can reach it while no witchery abilities are able.”
“Did you bring Merada here?”
“This is where our child was conceived. This is where we came to escape her mother, where we couldn’t be followed.”
You remember because you were her.
He pulled a chest from a crevice in the wall. Tori wandered around the room before she joined him as he stuck the key in and opened the top.
“Wow.” She peered closer. “It’s like a pirate chest full of loot.”
Jewels and old money, scrolls and coins filled the box. He opened a smaller box and opened it to reveal a beautiful diamond and ruby band. He pulled it out and took her hand.
She expected him to put it on her wedding finger, but instead, he placed it on her middle finger of her right hand. She ignored the pang of regret as she wiggled her fingers to make it sparkle.
“It’s beautiful.”
“It’s yours.” He watched her closely. “You’re disappointed.”
“No.” She answered too quickly. “No, I’m not.”
He brow raised at her as he opened another small box. “This one is of importance.”
An exquisite mystic topaz ring full of fire lay snuggled in black velvet. Tori’s mouth formed an “oh” as he pulled it out. This time, he slid it down her wedding finger.
“A promise. Forever.”
“Malik, I... I don’t know what to say.”
“Words are not of importance.”
He kissed her with an intensity so hot it burned her senses. She melted into his body where they joined perfectly, and he taught her the joys more important than mere words.
Chapter Thirteen
Felicia stared at the ring for a moment longer before she looked back up at Tori.
“And what? You’re engaged to this demon who is supposed to kill me? Married to him?”
Tori groaned. “We’re not married or engaged. Not in this lifetime anyhow. I don’t know what the rules of matrimony are for past life regressions.”
“Jokes. You make jokes.” Felicia slapped the desk. “Helena is dead, Tori. Dead. Murdered.”
“We don’t know that Malik had anything to do with it.”
But you can’t say he didn’t.
Believe you’re afraid he did.
It had been a week since their visit to his realm. As promised, Malik had allowed Tori to return the ring to his finger. For a week they had lived together in a total passionate bliss. He had even accompanied her to Rosie’s funeral.
And now Helena was dead.
Coincidence.
It was a car accident.
Or did you introduce him to the other two witches?
A counselor knocked on the door to Tori’s office. “Sorry to interrupt, but you asked me for this file.”
“Thanks.” Tori grabbed the file and waited for the door to be securely closed before she spoke again. “Felicia, I didn’t tell you everything out of the goodness of my heart. I didn’t want to tell you at all, but now Rosie and Helena? You need to be careful.”
“Make him stop, Tor. What are we supposed to tell Luna?”
“Nothing! She made the choice to be there. She’s on her own. If, and I mean if, Malik has anything to do with this. We can’t help her anyhow if he’s on a mission.” She pointed at Felicia. “If!”
“But you can protect me, is that it?”
Tori drew in a deep breath. “I hope so.”
“Why don’t I feel reassured?” Felicia stormed to the door. “Talk to him. If he loves you, tell him to leave me alone.”
A crack formed in her heart as she watched Felicia stomp off down the hallway.
Will I ever see her alive again?
Do you really believe Malik killed the others?
He lay on the couch shirtless watching television when she got home. She watched him from the door without saying anything.
“Are you going to stand there all day or come over here and kiss me?”
She plopped down in the easy chair instead. “What are we doing?”
He turned his full attention to her. “What do you mean?”
“Is this what our life is going to be like? I go to work, come home to you watching movies. Is that all you want out of life?”
He swung his feet to the floor and sat up. “I want you to take this ring off my finger before the full moon, which, by the way, is approaching quickly. Once I go back, it’ll take a coven to release me again.”
“One that we don’t have anymore.”
His brow rose. “Rosie can be replaced.”
“And Helena?”
A frowned marred his brow. “Helena?”
“You just met her at the funeral. And now she’s dead. Killed in a car accident.”
He remained quiet. When he looked at her again, she saw the hurt in his eyes. “And you think I had something to do with it.”
The crack widened at the pain she felt even asking. “Did you?”