“I think multi-shifters do that all the time. It’s why they’re given the visions. I questioned it at first, but if it’s what the first seer saw, then it’s meant to be. You and Hayden sacrificed your lives together so Hayden could learn to control the power of the dragon and pass on the details to Selene. The true key to controlling your dragon, Hayden, is the love you two share. The way you turned Hayden around today, Miss Molly, and gave him the strength to turn back was one of the most memorable things I’ve seen in my life. If I can do this for you both, I really want to.”
Molly looked up at Hayden. “What do you think?”
“Fifty-two years is a long time. I’ve done a lot of thinking during that time, and the main conclusion I’ve come to is not to question what the universe brings my way anymore. I died, I was reborn, and I lived a life in solitude. Now I’m being given the chance to live my entire life again with you at my side. I say, yes.” Hayden pulled Molly closer to him, and she welcomed his warmth.
In the next instance, she looked down at where her leg was missing. She pointed at the stump. “What about this?”
“I’ve known how to fix that for a long time. I’ve just not had the power to do it, but I do now. I can give you your leg back as well. If that’s what you want.” Jessica gave Molly the news she’d always longed to hear.
“There was a time when I thought I wouldn’t change what had happened to me even if I could, but if I’m going to go back to the time I first met Hayden, then I need to be able to dance with him properly. If Hayden is happy, I say do it. Yes, change our ages back and give us those years again but this time together.”
“Hold each other’s hands.” Jessica stepped back from them. “Stand side by side and close your eyes.”
Molly did as instructed, her hand shook a little, but the second Hayden wrapped his fingers around hers, her nerves calmed, and she listened solely to her heartbeat in anticipation.
Jessica started to recite magical words, but Molly didn’t listen to them. Instead, she paid attention to the feel of her body. The constant ache of her aging form vanished, and she felt it being replaced by the vibrancy of youth. Her leg started to ache, a similar pain to the one she felt when shifting. Then, all of a sudden, she felt her center of gravity shift. Her re-grown foot touched the ground, and she flexed her toes into the rough rock below them. Her eyes were still tightly shut, and she itched with excitement to open them, but she knew she had to let Jessica finish her spell.
Her puma danced with excitement inside of her.
“It’s done,” Jessica informed them. “You can open your eyes.”
Molly could hear the astonishment in Jessica’s words, and when she opened her eyes, she gasped as well. All over her, the aging wrinkles of time had disappeared to be replaced with the unblemished, smooth skin of youth. She turned her head instantly to Hayden—the man she’d fallen in love with all those years ago stood beside her.
She let out a whimper and put her hand over her mouth before it turned to more of a cry.
“I’ll give you some time alone. I’ll take the others to Siberia. Call me when you want to join us.”
“We will, Jessica, and thank you,” Hayden called after the witch.
Molly still couldn’t find any words without feeling like she was going to burst into a puddle of overawed emotion on the floor.
“How do you feel?” Hayden ran his hand through Molly’s hair. She could see strands of her chestnut locks as he did so.
“Different but the same.” She lifted her left leg up and shook it around. “Very different here.”
Hayden pulled gently on Molly’s hand to encourage her to walk, and she took tentative steps to follow him, testing the reemergence of her leg as she went. It was really strange to feel the ground underneath it. Surreal. She couldn’t believe this was happening after so many years. Was she dreaming?
“Where are we going?” she asked Hayden as he led her through the cave.
“I’ve longed for this moment for fifty-two years, and I can’t wait any longer to feel you. I know it’s not perfect, and there’s no luxury bed like we dreamed of.”
Molly looked around Hayden to where he had a small bed made up in the corner and burst out into a fit of giggles. He’d spent a lot of his time at the cave in Siberia but recently Jessica had created a bed here for him as well.
“We’ve both been living in caves, although I have to say mine is a bit more sophisticated than yours.” She laughed.
“I can’t wait for you to show me, but first…” Hayden moved forward and pressed a searing kiss to her lips.
She melted into his arms as her legs gave way with the affection he was giving her. He scooped her up into his arms and laid her gently down on the bed.
“You realize this will be the first time you’ve taken me in a bed.” Molly winked at him, astounded at how he could look just like the man she’d last seen boarding a helicopter so long ago.
“Don’t worry, I plan on taking you on every surface I can find.” Hayden kissed her again.
For a few moments, they both forgot they were in the middle of a war and they’d have duties to carry out when they left this cave. Hayden undressed her, and she did the same to him. She examined every inch of his body, remembering all the scars from the battles he’d been in. He had a new one on his chest, over his heart. She placed her hand on it as Hayden looked down upon her.
“Our second chance.” She smiled.
“A new life again,” he responded.
Hayden lowered his head to her now bare breasts and flicked at the nipple with his tongue. He suckled it into his mouth and teased it to a high peak. Molly writhed under his affection, memories of a time she thought she’d lost flooding back to her.
Hayden reached a hand between her thighs, and Molly purred with satisfaction. She knew Hayden would find her wet and ready for him.
“The best feeling in the world—my girl ready for me.” Hayden positioned himself at her entrance. He didn’t move, though. “I remember you saying you knew whether you were fertile or not, are you? I haven’t got a condom. I wasn’t exactly planning on this happening. I wasn’t sure I could even still get it hard enough.”
Molly let out a heavy sigh of relief at the fact they didn’t have to contend with the issues of lovemaking at an advanced age.
“I don’t know. My body stopped all that sort of thing a long time ago. I don’t know if that has come back or not. I would assume so, but I just can’t tell.”
“Shit!” Hayden exclaimed and looked down to where his rock hard cock was waiting. Her eyes followed his.
“After what we’ve been through, does it matter if I fall with child? I think we’ll make fantastic parents.”
“We’re going to be old brains in young bodies.” Hayden laughed.
“Tucked up in bed with a hot chocolate by nine pm.”
“Only if we’re not sleeping.” He winked at her.
“Take me, Hayden. Claim me forever as yours.”
“Always.” Hayden pushed inside her, and Molly grabbed at the sheets on the bed as she felt his size fill her.
Hayden stilled for a few moments before thrusting slowly within her. He stared down at her as he moved. Neither of them taking their eyes from each other. They just stared intently, the bond between them eternal as Hayden’s hips moved faster and faster.