51. Chapter 51

Chapter 51

The perfect date for an ex-ghost.

I sat near the end of the bed, waiting for Caleb to wake up. We hadn’t gotten to have our date yesterday, and I was determined for us to have one today. In a way, Kalvoxrencol interrupting us had helped me because I planned a different outing for us—one that I thought Caleb would enjoy far more. After a quick consultation with Edith, who’d insisted on getting involved and dragged Wyn into the conversation as well, I had my plan set. All I needed was for Caleb to wake up.

Today, unlike usual, he was deep asleep.

Carefully, I crawled up the bed and settled next to him, staring at him. With my gaze, I traced the slopes and planes, lingering on his long eyelashes, then his perfectly straight nose, and luscious lips. I still missed his human aspect, but I found Caleb as a drakcol exceedingly attractive.

A heavy breath rushed out of his lips as his tail twitched in his sleep. I dragged my nose along his, nuzzling his forehead. Caleb took a deep inhale and calmed once more. I didn’t know for certain if Caleb was having nightmares, because he didn’t recall dreaming when he woke up, but sometimes he would thrash in his sleep.

With a gentle kiss on his forehead, I guarded his sleep as I studied him, memorizing every detail.

After the morning had started to bleed into the middle hour, Caleb stretched, reaching for me. I went into his embrace, rolling him to his back. He smiled up at me, muscles relaxed beneath me.

“Good morning, Mate,” I said before claiming his mouth. Caleb groaned, his fingers tracing their usual pattern over my back before finding purchase on my butt as he ground me into his hard cock. My own started to awaken from his arousal and the taste of him on my tongue, but I pulled away before this became something more.

“Fyn?”

I nipped his nose. “I have a surprise for you.”

“Is it sex in our bed because that sounds nice right about now?”

“No,” I replied. “But you will like this surprise.”

“Will it be fun?” he asked, tail starting to wiggle as his voice grew in volume.

“Yes.”

“Have I done it before?”

“I do not believe so.”

Caleb beamed, and something in my soul settled. This was Caleb. My Caleb. With every smile, touch, word, and action, Caleb showed me he was the same person I’d fallen in love with. The same spirit who was easygoing, loved learning, had an insatiable curiosity, and loved me in return.

“Come, my Mate,” I said, sliding off him. “Allow me to take you on a date.”

I followed Fyn on shaky legs through the palace, unsure where we were going, but I was excited. He guided me to a lower floor I’d never been to before. Fyn palmed a door open and directed me inside with a flick of his tail. I frowned at the empty space.

He must have seen my expression because he stated, “It's an experience suite.”

My mouth dropped open. On the Admiral Ven, I’d popped into a few experiences, but I’d never gotten to interact with them (this was the closest to a holodeck I’d ever get; of course, I was desperate to try it).

Snagging the back of his neck, I drew Fyn against me to capture his mouth in a quick kiss. “Thank you, Sunshine.”

He rewarded me with a slight quirk of his lips, which sent my pulse racing.

Fyn thumbed through the choices on the terminal near the door before he rejoined me. The blank white walls and floor flickered before an entire jungle appeared. Mountains were towering above us, riddled with caves. Palm-like trees, though gold and brown, filled the jungle, forming a canopy around us. Sunny yellow ferns and spidery plants grew over the dark brown ground that was covered in fallen palms.

“It’s beautiful,” I commented.

“I thought we’d explore.” Fyn gestured to a tree. “Walk through it.”

I knew how experiences worked. Force fields and light made everything, but they would stop me from passing through anything. Besides, just yesterday, I’d crashed into the bedroom door because I’d forgotten I wasn’t a ghost anymore.

Still, I stepped forward and put my hand on the trunk; I slid right through. I yanked back, heart thrashing against my ribs. My wings sprawled as I scrambled back, losing my feet.

A solid arm caught me before I fell. “You’re safe,” Fyn said against my ear. “I promise, my Little Soul. You are here. With me.”

When I felt him behind me, I calmed. Pushing out of his hold, I approached the tree again, fingers disappearing inside. I gaped, realizing for the first time that I didn’t hear much. There were no scents beyond mine and Zoltilvoxfyn. No touch besides my clothes and the floor beneath me.

He’d made me into a ghost again.

Sunlight burned in my gut. I whirled in a circle, beaming. My knees shook and I tilted dangerously to the side. Fyn snagged me, and I wrapped my arms around him. “Thank you.”

He smiled—a true one. “Wyn and Edith helped me reprogram this exploration experience. I thought it might help.”

It did. There was less. So much less.

“Explore, my Mate. I have you.” Fyn lifted a black device that had a ball in the center. It must control where we were going. Unlike holodecks, experiences only went as far as the room’s edges, nor did they create texture, smell, or taste. The latter three were a major benefit for me.

Stepping forward, I explored the jungle until my legs burned and my lungs struggled to take in air. Eventually, I sat down to rest, watching a waterfall of green water that fell into an emerald pool, encrusted with huge glowing crystals.

Fyn sat behind me, legs bracketing me, and supported my weight. I sagged against him, marveling at the nothingness around me. The sights were lovely, but my brain felt calmer than it had since I’d come back into this body.

“Are you well?” Sunshine asked, nose against the nape of my neck. His breath rushed over my scales, making me shiver and snuggle into him.

“Yes.” It was like the volume had finally been turned down. “Can we do this again?”

“As many times as you’d like.”

I sighed, content for the first time in a long time.

We remained in the experience until I could barely stay awake, and then we headed back to our apartment to nap. My steps were slow and hesitant with my exhaustion, but Zoltilvoxfyn supported my weight with an arm around my waist. My eyes wandered over the open windows, and I spied Seth and Kal in the garden. The remnants of a picnic were around them, and Kal and Seth relaxed on the grass.

I wonder where that gray-scaled drakcol is ? He’d followed Seth around a lot. Like magic, I spotted him hunkered down near a towering tree with black bark and red and gold leaves. I swore he hadn’t been there a moment ago.

“Who’s that drakcol?” I asked Fyn.

“Who?”

“The one in the garden.”

“Kalvoxrencol?” Fyn asked slowly.

“Sunshine, I know what your brother looks like. The other drakcol.”

“What other drakcol?”

Could Fyn not see him? I pointed. “The gray-scaled one crouched near the tree. He has a screen, and he’s watching Seth and Kal.”

Fyn blinked. “I’m not sure how I didn’t notice him. But no, I don’t know him. He has to have clearance to be here, so he’s not a threat. I’m sure it’s fine. I’ll talk to Kalvoxrencol about it later. Now, you need to rest, my Mate.”

I nodded, watching the strange drakcol until he disappeared from view.