Scarred Protector(44)

“I’m going to run us a bath and massage you, and then we will eat, and you will fly, and then I plan on doing this all over again.”



“I’m happy with that suggestion, but next time I’m on top.”



“If that’s what the lady wants, that's what the lady gets.” Heath rolled off and made his way to the bathroom, where she could hear the water running and smell the scent of gardenias. Standing at the door, she found him already in the bath surrounded by bubbles.

“You didn’t wait for me.” He gestured for her to come across, and she sat in front of him between his legs. She let out a sigh, as he started to massage her beginning at the base of her spine and working his way up to her shoulders.

“You know, if you give up your day job as a Midworlder, then I would be willing to give you a reference as a masseuse.”

“You mean, you wouldn’t mind me doing this to someone else?”



“Hell yes, I would.”

“Then I will just be your personal masseuse.”

“Just as well, as I’d probably kill you and anyone I found you in the bath with.”

“There is never a chance of that. I sense the others are waiting to see us. I would love to spend the rest of the evening in bed with you pleasuring your body, but they might think us rude.”





             They washed and got out of the bath, dressed, and went out to meet the others. Ridge came across and slapped him on the back and whispered something in his ear to make him laugh. When Heath returned to her side, she raised an eyebrow.



“What did he say? Out with it.”

“He congratulated us and said the walls are thick, but not thick enough.”

Evie could feel herself go red as her Aunt Georgia approached and hugged her. Hopefully, her aunt had been in the kitchen and hadn’t heard a thing. The aroma of food made her mouth water.

“I have made a feast for us all. I hope that man of yours treated you well. Is he still going to marry you? Where is the ring he gave you, and will you live in England or Jamaica?”

Evie shook her head and laughed. “So many questions. He is wonderful, and we will marry one day. Being beside him for as long as I can is something I do want. As for where we will live, I think it will be the manor house. You can fly back first-class anytime you want.”

“I want you to ask one of them to take me up for a flight. I’m a big woman, but I think Luke could manage me. Anyway, let’s eat.”

They all sat around the table, and over the next two hours, Evie’s heart swelled with happiness as she gazed around at family and friends. Heath took her hand, and she leaned against his shoulder.

“I sense your happiness, and I’m happy to be part of it. I thought we could go flying whenever you feel ready.”

He was right that she was happy, but it all seemed like a dream, it was so perfect. Life had been crap so often, she was waiting for it all to fall apart.

“I have to admit, I’m a bit scared, but if I put it off, I’ll just get worse. Nicole said it took her a while, but then again, she’s scared of heights. I’ll just go to the bathroom, and I’ll be back in a minute.” Evie didn’t want to say anything, but her stomach was turning over, which was probably due to nerves.





             As she walked into the bathroom, she put her hand to her chest as she struggled to get air into her lungs. It was probably all the spiced food she had eaten giving her heartburn. She splashed her face to try to stop the heat wafting over her or she would faint. It didn’t help when the room started to spin and she started coughing.

She couldn’t stop the hacking coughs, as her lungs protested and she wheezed. She grabbed some toilet paper, and she coughed up whatever was in the back of her throat choking her. The tissue was red with a blood clot. No. The single word reverberated through her brain.

She didn’t hesitate, and undid her blouse and pulled it from her shoulders. With her back to the mirror, she glanced over her shoulder to see what she expected. The tattoo was disappearing. A tear slipped down her cheek. It had been too good to be true. She thought she was different, but you couldn’t cheat death. She gripped onto the sink, but her legs were going to give out as they turned to Jell-O, and she fell to the floor with a thump. She didn’t want it to be like this. She wanted everybody to be happy, including herself.

The bathroom door burst open as Heath rushed in with Nicole, Ridge, and the others behind him.

“What’s wrong? I sensed you’re in pain my love,” Heath said, as he scooped her up in his arms. The look of worry on his face made her heart ache. She didn’t want to be the person they needed to worry about anymore.

Evie closed her eyes for a moment and showed him the tissue. She didn’t need to say anything. He held her against his chest. She glanced up to see him, looking straight ahead at her back, reflected in the mirror. He gazed down, and she nodded that she knew her wing tattoos were fading. She could see the muscles tighten in his jaw, as he returned to being the controlled Midworlder he was. He glanced up to Genia and Nicole.



             “Is there anything you can do?”

“Bring her out, and lay her on the bed,” Nicole said.

Heath didn’t let go of her hand, as the two women examined her, but she could see he was already losing the battle to control his emotions. Evie could see the tears in Aunt Georgia’s eyes as well. She didn’t want to lose these people, but she wasn’t gone yet.

“Okay, you morbid lot. I have a joke,” Evie said.

Ridge snickered, and Heath gave him a cold and chilling look.



“Stop that, Heath, or you’ll ruin my joke.”

Heath shook his head at her and kissed her fingers.

“What do you call a guy with a one-inch penis?”

Aunt Georgia burst out laughing, and Evie guessed she knew the answer but wasn’t telling anyone, as she looked down at her lap.

“Justin.” Genia answered, as she maintained her poker face, and everyone burst out laughing.

“I knew you would know it. Right, if you know that one then sort this shit out before this man of mine goes weird on us all.” Evie gave them all the evil eye, not wanting them to get soft and weepy on her.

Heath stared at her, as if she had insulted his parentage, which would be hard with a Midworlder. She winked, and he winked right back. She shook her head at him. Jane Austen’s Mr. Darcy would never have winked. She could not love this man any more than at this moment.

Genia and Nicole knelt on the bed and held their hands above her chest. It only took them a moment, and Evie could feel her breathing become easier, but she was still in pain.

Genia smiled and took her hand when they were done.

“I liked the joke. I’ll tell you another one later. From what we can tell, your injuries are returning. I believe it’s because Liliath didn’t finish healing you completely. The transformation held for a while, but now it’s fading.”



             “So what do we do? I refuse to lose you,” Heath said.

Heath was beside her and he brought his face and lips next to hers. He wanted her forever, and she just wanted to hold onto him for one moment longer. Their minds were so entwined now, she could feel his pain. If this feeling went both ways, she had to convince him there was hope.

Ridge stood beside the bed and put his hand on Heath’s shoulder. “I think we should return to Pergor, my friend. It’s about time us Angelic Midworlders started to call in some favors.”



Evie could see a war was brewing and knew she was now a part of it. She hadn’t asked for any of it, but she would stand by Heath and his people until the end.

Genia walked forward. “I actually agree and know an Elevated we can approach. If the Demonics are breaking the rules, we might as well join in before we all go down.”

Evie enjoyed the closeness, as Heath picked her up, and they headed out to the balcony at the back of the house. His wings appeared, and she reached up and touched them. The feathers felt soft near his shoulders. Then she ran her fingers down to his waist and realized they were sharp like blades.

“They weren’t like that before, were they?” she asked.

“It’s because I’m bonded to you. Midworlders are programmed to protect their partners. When you transformed, so did I. The genetics they implanted us with caused the change.



“We can do this together. I always thought I was a freak, so it’s nice to have company. By the way, you promised me more great sex, and I know you like to keep your promises.”

He didn’t say anything but kissed her deeply so she knew she was his and he was hers. She cuddled close, as they rose into the sky. Within seconds, the city of Kingston was way below, and then the stars disappeared as the conduit to Pergor opened.





Chapter 25



Healing at a Cost



Heath held on tight to Evie, as they walked down the corridors of Pergor. It would not take long to reach the crystal chamber, and he didn’t want to accept what might happen when they got there. Since the first moment he had met her, he sensed they were fighting a battle to be together, and he would continue to pursue that until the end. Evie snuggled into him, and he could tell her breathing was getting shallower.