19. River

The next several days swirl by in a whirlwind of training, kissing, and making love. The more time I spend with Akira, the more I fall for him. I'm pretty sure we have to be fated mates. But the more Akira tries to find answers as to why his kitsune hasn't given me a mating gift, the more I see the fear in his eyes when he doesn't find any concrete reason.

I, on the other hand, have decided to ignore it. I want to spend time with Akira without that fear. If I could go back in time and un-ask that question, I would.

I'm sitting in Seven's trailer cuddling Peanut to my chest when Akira and Seven walk inside.

Seven sits on the sofa next to me, while Akira stands in front of me and chuckles.

"You know," Akira laughs. "Just because he's shifted doesn't mean Peanut forgot how to walk."

I wave his words away. "He loves it. He thinks he's a little prince or something."

Seven barks out a laugh.

Peanut boops me on the nose.

"Are you ready for our date?" Akira asks.

Ever since our emotional heart-to-heart the other day, Akira and I decided to take each other out on a date every day until we perform next week. So far, we had a picnic on the beach and went swimming. And the next night I took Akira on an axe-throwing date—which he absolutely loved.

Tonight we are going to this location's opening night of the carnival. Especially since we start performing our act next week. Tonight is the best night to take advantage of what the carnival has to offer.

"I'm so ready," I cheer, placing Peanut on Seven's lap.

"You two have fun," Seven says, with a mysterious smile on his face. "You might want to give the roller coaster a try, Akira."

"Why is he always so cryptic?" I ask as we make our way to the carnival.

"I have no idea," Akira replies with a grin. "But I'm pretty sure I just need to go with the flow and do whatever he suggests."

"Fair enough. How was your meeting with Sev? Everything okay with our act?"

The other day, Akira and I showed Seven what we planned for the wheel of death and the dagger-throwing act. He loved it—especially when Akira incorporated his fire magic and glamour. I have to admit, I'm surprised by how much I love training with Akira. I never expected to crave spinning on the wheel.

"Good. I"ll tell you all about it after our date. But first, let"s have fun."

Akira and I end up playing several carnival games. I'm over the moon when he wins me a blue axolotl stuffed animal. The toy reminded me of the faerie pet that Indy has in his trailer. As ridiculous as it sounds, I know that no matter what happens between Akira and me, I will think back on this night fondly, and treasure my axolotl forever.

I grasp the toy in my free arm while I hold hands with Akira. We go on all kinds of rides and even walk through the hall of mirrors, which is more like a large room filled with mirrors.

Things get a little hot and heavy as we make out in front of the numerous reflections. I mean, do you blame me? Watching Akira do wicked things to me from all angles is hot as hell and I've been half-hard ever since.

We pause in front of the intimidating roller coaster with the large drop. "I"ve always wanted to ride on a roller coaster," I confess. "I've never been on one since I'm scared of heights."

Akira's eyes sparkle. "Well, now's our chance. I mean, Seven did say we wouldn't want to miss it. Maybe it will help you face your fears."

We wait in the ridiculously long line that crawls by at a snail's pace. When we finally make it onto the machine, I start to regret all of my life's choices. The coaster jerks forward as it lands on the tracks that propel us upward. "Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no," I chant. "I don't think I want to do this anymore."

Akira grabs my hand, and I squeal with fear, not realizing that it was him reaching for me. "I'm sorry, little fox. It's too late to stop the ride. I got you. This thing only lasts a minute or so. We'll be off it in no time."

We reach the top, and kind of, I don't know, dangle there, waiting for the track to let us go. "Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck," I chant. "We're too high, oh, fuck. We're going to die," I yell.

The roller coaster makes a horrible clicking noise and then drops.

I scream.

We soar through the air and the fall causes my stomach to leave my body, or at least that's what it feels like. But then we are past the first drop and it's smooth sailing. The cool night air hits my face, and I can see all the pretty carnival lights surrounding us. We whoosh by so fast, that I whoop with joy.

As soon as we come to a stop, I cackle. Holy shit, I want to do it all over again. "Oh my god, that was such a blast," I cheer. There's a wide, genuine smile on my face and I can't seem to put it away. "Fuck! What a rush! It's almost the same feeling I get with a bite of pain during sex. It's addictive!"

I'm having so much fun that when I hear my uncle's ringtone from my phone, it doesn"t even faze me. Instead of answering it, I tug Akira into a hidden alcove and give him the sexiest kiss of my life.