17. Arit

Chapter seventeen

Arit

N ixon’s breakfast with his mother gives me the perfect opportunity to hunt down The Magic Shop. Nondescript, tucked onto a little side street, it’s the perfect cover for a supernatural haven.

“One moment,” The Owner calls out from the back as soon as I enter the store.

I’ve got to admit, the place seems a lot bigger than it did outside.

“My apologies,” says the tall, thin man in a top hat who bustles out from behind a black curtain. “I had my nose buried in a book. What can I help you with?”

I can’t put my finger on it, but there is something interesting going on with this guy. “Yesterday, you helped my boyfriend find me using a magical portal.” No point in beating around the bush.

The man instantly pales, removing his gloved hands from the counter and taking a step back. “Ah. Oh, um, yes. I suppose it worked then, did it? Brilliant. Very good. Yes, and his payment. I see you are pleased. Excellent. Most excellent. Happy to help.” His nervous rambling is amusing. I can tell he knows something about what I am but maybe not the full extent.

“You know who I am?” I ask, more for effect than expecting an actual answer.

“Ah, no sir. No details necessary. We all have our quirks, don’t we? No need to say more. I’ve made it my business to help. Just happy you had a nice outcome.”

“I did, thank you. Though that’s partly why I’m here.” His medium complexion loses even more coloring. I watch his Adam’s apple bob with a swallow. “Can you detect my aura?”

He shakes his head. “I’m sorry, sir.”

“That’s because I don’t have one. I’m sure by now you know why.”

“I have my suspicions, sir.”

“Good. Then you might have noticed there’s a bit of a difference between me and my boyfriend.” His eyes widen and he swallows again, now fiddling with the gloves over his fingers. He nods, nonetheless. “So I’d like some help with that. I’m not prepared to lose him. Ever.” The man actually gulps. “What information do you have about Fate? And what can you tell me about where to find Her?”

“So you threatened him?” Nixon’s adorably accusing look makes me chuckle. He’s been pacing his tiny room ever since I mentioned I stopped by The Magic Shop while he was with his mom.

“No, beloved. I let him draw his own conclusion about what I was and merely hinted that I would be disappointed if he couldn’t help. I never once suggested any harm would come to him.” He pins me with a fierce look. “What? You know I can’t do anything to him even if he couldn’t help. But lucky for me, he had a whole section of books dedicated to Fate and all Her mysteries. Now, we do our research and find Her.”

“Oh sure. A mythical being who controls the life and death of every living creature on earth. Should be a piece of cake. Actually, you know, I think She was sitting outside my building earlier today. Let’s go track Her down and have a chat.”

That actually does make me laugh. I spring up and wrap my arms around Nixon before he has time to react. He makes a small squawk of protest but still meets me for a kiss. “You’re too much.” I peck his tempting lips again for good measure. “You know, I, myself, am a mythical being. I don’t think it will be too hard to track down my maker. Give me some time to read through my stack of books, and we’ll be on our way in no time.”

Nixon looks skeptical, but he still begins to nibble his lower lip. “Why do you want to find Fate?”

I don’t know why, but his questions always make me freeze up. Probably has something to do with the whole never dealt with a living human before thing.

“Relax, Arit. I was just asking because I was thinking about Fate too.”

“You were?”

“Yeah, of course.” He places his hands on my chest, and I shift my hold to his lower back. “I mean, if Fate brought us together and made it so we can see each other, She obviously had something in mind for us. But what if She wants something in return? For giving us this chance to be together. And why would She even do that, knowing my soul is about to expire and you’re going to live forever? Basically.” He’s back to nibbling his lip again. “What if She wants my soul in exchange for our happily ever after?”

That actually makes me growl out loud, and Nixon’s eyes widen. “She. Can’t. Have. It. Your soul belongs to me.”

Nixon throws his arms around my neck, and I hold him close, my life force pulsing strong in my core. There have been very few times in my existence I’ve gotten close to losing my cool, but the idea of losing Nixon’s soul is unimaginable.

“It’s okay. I didn’t mean to upset you. We’ll figure something out.” Nixon presses a kiss to my neck.

Humming my approval, I rub my hands up and down his back. “Sorry. It’s rare for me to get upset, but losing you is not an option.”

“Well, I’m not excited about the idea either. I only just found you, and after how many lifetimes?”

“Four thousand, two hundred, forty-two.”

“Good lord.” Nixon presses his face to my neck. “It’s kind of creepy the things you’ve kept track of.” Then he pulls back and says, “I need a distraction. How do you get around? You never told me how you got me home last night.”

And that has me grinning again. “Ask and you shall receive.” I hold out my hand to him, and he snickers as he takes it. Then without another word, I will my chariot into view and smirk when Nixon gasps.

“Holy shitballs.”

“Indeed.”

“Is that a freaking chariot in my room?”

“It is. And it can take you anywhere you’d like to go, darling.”

Nixon’s eyes are huge. He looks back and forth between me and the chariot half a dozen times. “Won’t someone see us?”

I lean in close to his ear and whisper, “I have magical powers. Didn’t anyone tell you?”

And Nixon actually squeals. He bounces around on the balls of his feet. “Oh my God, that’s so fucking cool! Can we go somewhere?”

I laugh, pull Nixon close, and kiss him soundly. “Hold on.” We board my chariot, Nixon’s arm around my back, and I visualize where I’d like to take him. Creating a portal is second nature, so only a few moments later, the shimmering golden glow appears, and I ease us forward, Nixon’s constant litany of amazement making me feel ten feet tall.

With perfect timing, the sun is just setting behind the Eiffel Tower.

“Oh. My. God.” Nixon is rendered speechless at my side, his eyes glued to the cobbled walkway ahead of us and the view of one of the most romantic places I could think to take him. As far as first dates go, I think I hit this one out of the park. “You are… How? This might be the most incredible moment of my life. I’ve always wanted to come to Paris.”

I wrap my arms around him from behind, my chariot no longer present. “I know.” I press a kiss to the side of his head and hold him, watching as the sky turns pale pink and then saffron, eventually fading into a deep amethyst as the lights of the city illuminate the iconic structure.

Nixon doesn’t say anything, but he turns in my arms and kisses me, completely uncaring of where we are, regardless of the fact that no one can see us. He takes his time, nipping and teasing, using long strokes of his tongue to draw me out, and holding my jaw, my cheek, my shoulder, whatever he can reach to keep me close.

Like I have anywhere else I’d rather be.

When Nixon moves his attention down my neck and actual goose bumps break out across my skin, I shiver, a feeling I’ve been waiting my lifetime to explore taking over. “Come with me?” I ask softly.

And Nixon’s reply is everything. “Always.”