4. Jasmine

4

JASMINE

A s Jasmine crossed the lobby toward the café, she again experienced the disconnect between the secret world of immortals that existed underneath the luxury residential high-rise, and the world above.

Standing in line, she felt odd to be surrounded by humans suddenly. It wasn't that the immortals or even the gods looked markedly different than the people around her—well, except for being unnaturally good-looking—but then this was Los Angeles, and there were plenty of good-looking people around.

The main difference was in her, though, and what she knew now that she hadn't before. She was privy to the best-kept secret in the world, and none of these unsuspecting humans could even imagine that it existed.

Then there was the kiss that had changed everything and yet hadn't.

It had only proved that the tarot had been right all along and that the prince they had shown her had not been just a prince of a man, although Ell-rom was that too. It had always been about the prince being her one and only, her destined mate.

So why wasn't she giddy with excitement?

Because nothing was ever that easy, Jasmine knew with absolute certainty that many obstacles would materialize on her and Ell-rom's way to happily ever after.

It was just the way it was. Nothing good ever came easy.

It could be his religion once he remembered it. Or it could be his sister once she woke up. Or it could be something unexpected.

Jasmine had done a tarot reading the night before, and the cards had been encouraging, hinting at new beginnings and deep connections, but they'd also warned of challenges ahead and difficult choices to be made.

That had fueled her worries. After all, if the tarot had been correct before, there was no reason to doubt them now.

Still, she was grateful for the chance she'd been given and the wonderful male the Mother of All Life, or the Fates the immortals believed in, had sent her way.

Who would have thought that she would find his innocence and inexperience so endearing?

Perhaps that was why the Fates had prompted her to be so easy with her affections. It had all been a part of their grand plan. Ell-rom was the novice, the apprentice, and she was the expert, the master, and it was up to her to teach her virgin prince everything she knew about carnal pleasures, which was quite a lot.

The prospect of introducing him to all the marvels of sex was so exciting.

"Next in line, please," the barista called, jolting Jasmine from her reverie.

She ordered her usual latte, adding a blueberry muffin on impulse and a cup of soup for Ell-rom.

Waiting for her order, she wondered if there was coffee on Anumati. The gods had drunk plenty of it on their trip through the Tibetan mountains, but they might have developed a taste for it during their time on Earth.

She should call Margo and ask her.

"Order for Jasmine," the barista called out, sliding a cardboard tray across the counter.

Jasmine collected the tray, but instead of heading straight back, she chose to enjoy her coffee at a small table by the window.

Bridget was probably still in Ell-rom's room, and the doctor didn't like being crowded when she performed her examinations. She should give her a few more minutes.

Besides, after being cooped up in a room without windows, Jasmine enjoyed gazing at the outdoors.

It was getting dark outside, but traffic was still congested, and Jasmine watched the cars passing by. People were heading home to join their families, eat dinner together, or engage in whatever drama was currently consuming their lives. Each individual was a microcosmos, each with their own issues, aspirations and hopes, triumphs and disappointments.

As her phone buzzed, she pulled it out and smiled when she saw the message was from Margo. Her friend must have felt that she needed to talk to her.

Good evening, my darling. How's your Prince Charming doing today? Any more memories surfacing?

Jasmine stared at the screen with her thumbs hovering over the keyboard and wondered what she should tell Margo. Should she tell her about the kiss?

At her age and with the number of sex partners she'd had, it seemed silly and immature to brag about a kiss, but the truth was that it was a big deal.

How many women could boast about kissing a celibate alien prince?

Nevertheless, it wasn't something to convey in a text message.

In the end, she settled for a simple reply. He's doing better every day, but today was a big day for Ell-rom. He got to meet Kian . She knew she wasn't supposed to tell her about the goddess's visit, and she needed to remind Ell-rom not to talk about it either. I'll fill you in later, okay?

When? Margo replied.

When Ell-rom falls asleep, I'll come upstairs. Are you there tonight?

Where else would I be?

Jasmine smiled. Partying or clubbing with your god.

My god is spending most of his waking hours tinkering with the salvaged equipment as if the secrets of the universe are hiding somewhere in there.

Jasmine typed back. Who knows? They may be. BTW, any progress with spying on Lynda?

I'll tell you when you get here.

Was that Margo's payback for Jasmine's cryptic reply?

Probably.

As her thoughts returned to her prince, she took a bite of her muffin and washed it down with a sip of coffee.

Hopefully, she wasn't leading Ell-rom down a path he wasn't ready for. Perhaps it wasn't fair for her to encourage his feelings when he was still piecing together his own identity.

Maybe she should slow down and wait until he knew who he was and what he wanted.

She had no easy answers. All she knew was that her feelings for him were real and growing stronger.