Chapter 29

29

J inx loved the idea of mentoring, she thought the next day, especially if it involved Mikhail role-playing as the naughty student and her as the stern teacher.

She shook her head, dislodging the silly fantasy. Even though they had agreed to reconsider their relationship in the future, that didn’t mean she could get carried away. There was still so much to deal with first. And when all was said and done, when they were no longer caught up in a life-and-death situation, Mikhail could very well change his mind.

Adrenaline, she told herself. Adrenaline and endorphins affect mental acuity.

With a determined sigh, she made her way to the private garden. She saw his back first, broad and muscular, stretching his shirt as he leaned over to inspect a flower. She paused, taking a deep breath, unsure of how to proceed. He said he wanted to give her a gift, but in the light of day, she was unsure if she wanted to accept one. Would he get the wrong idea? Did it mean she was leading him on if she said yes? And what the fuck was she going to do about the anonymous dickhead who had sent her a collar?

Seeing Mikhail create an accidental forcefield had been a great distraction for several hours the previous evening. But once in bed, her night had been filled with nightmares from her past. She took a tentative step forward, then another, her mind racing with what she would say when he turned around. Should she make an excuse and leave? Maybe she should walk away before he saw her? Or should she pull her tits up and get on with it like the mature, twenty-year-old she now was?

Mikhail turned abruptly, his eyes meeting hers, and a warm and inviting smile broke across his face. Her breath caught in her throat, knowing she wouldn’t be going anywhere; he was too damn pretty.

“You made it,” he greeted her.

“Sorry if I’m a little late,” she said, shoving her hands into her pockets so she wouldn’t fidget.

“You’re right on time. Besides, it doesn’t matter. We’re not on a schedule,” Mikhail informed her sweetly. He plucked a yellow flower and offered it to her. “It’s not a blue rose, but it is a happy colour.”

Jinx sniffed the flower, inhaling the lovely scent. “I love yellow. And please don’t tell me you’re jealous of Luca. Brax already has that covered when it comes to Sabre.”

“You call him Luca?” He looked adorably put out. “He’s not in your tribe, is he?”

Jinx bit her lip, wondering if she should be honest or let him down gently. In the end, she went with diplomacy. “He could be.”

“That’s a non-answer if ever I heard one,” Mikhail drawled, not buying what she was selling.

Jinx laughed, feeling herself relax. “Sorry.”

Mikhail shook his head ruefully. “Don’t be. Lucifer seems to be a decent fellow. For the Devil.” He gently took the flower from her hands, slipping it behind her ear. “Will you come with me?”

Were they going somewhere? “Where?”

“Through one of my portals. You know I can open a doorway anywhere in the realm of Purgatory and between worlds.”

Jinx nodded. “Yes. It’s how you found me on that tiny island.” Not wanting to dwell on the shittiness of his baby brother, she quickly moved on. “It’s a useful power. Can you create a tear in the fabric of reality and step through to grab a coffee from the other side of our world?”

Mikhail laughed, tossing his head back and giving her a perfect view of his tanned throat. “I can. In fact, it’s something I used to do routinely. Fallmoor makes the best maple-flavoured coffee in Purgatory.”

“That’s a fifteen-hour flight away,” Jinx pointed out.

He shrugged. “Not for me.”

“I bet that was fun growing up,” she said with a smile.

“It was. The shenanigans we used to get up to …” He shook his head fondly. “And it was very handy when I had a secret guardian angel for a hundred years. It enabled me to see Sabre pretty much whenever I wanted.”

“Another coincidence for you,” Jinx teased lightly.

Mikhail’s answering smirk was sexy as hell. “So it would seem. Anyway, your gift requires travelling through a portal. May I?” He held out his hand.

She stared at it, wanting to reach out and grab it more than anything. But she was deathly afraid that she wouldn’t be able to let him go. Plus, she was dangerously close to spilling all of her secrets and opening up all her wounds to him. The urge to unload was strong whenever she was around him. Somehow, she knew her greatest fears and sorrows would be safe with him. “Where are you taking me?” she asked, stalling for time.

Mikhail dropped his hand, rubbing it against his thigh anxiously. “I was kind of hoping to keep it a surprise.”

She grimaced. “Weretigers don’t really like surprises.” The boyish grin he tossed her lit up his green eyes and created a dimple on his left cheek. She wanted to lick it.

“Oh, I know. It’s why we told you about your party last night. Plus, I was best friends with a werelion growing up. I did arrange a surprise party for him once.” He shook his head, his eyes widening. “Big mistake.”

Jinx smiled, thrilled to know she enjoyed talking to Mikhail and getting to know him. “What happened?” she asked.

“I walked in with him. Everyone yelled, “ Surprise!” and popped up like genies from a bottle. Riordan shifted within seconds, roaring and thrashing around. His shift knocked me over, so when he landed on all fours, he landed on me,” Mikhail divulged.

Jinx cringed. “Ouch. Lions are heavy.”

His eyes widened comically. “You’re telling me. But that wasn’t the worst part. His claws were out, and they dug straight into the meat of my arse.”

She stared at him. “A lion clawed your butt?”

“Yes. And we’re not talking about a little scratch. Did you know lion claws are curved? Once they’re in, they kind of lock. Especially when the lion has been startled so badly …” He rubbed his butt, the trauma clearly rising to the surface.

Jinx covered her mouth with her hand, hoping to hide her grin. “Oh no.”

Mikhail nodded morosely. “We were attached for ten minutes.”

“His claws, your butt,” she sought clarification.

“Correct,” Mikhail stated deadpan.

She couldn’t help it. She totally lost it, laughing until her stomach hurt. Mikhail watched her, appearing to get pleasure from her amusement—even though it was at his expense. When she quieted, he held out his hand, silently asking her to take it. She took it without hesitation this time, loving the grin he shot her before opening a portal.

“Close your eyes,” he said. “And no peeking, please.”

Jinx obliged, her heart fluttering with anticipation. As Mikhail led her through, the world around them dissolved into a kaleidoscope of colours and sensations. She felt like she was floating and falling simultaneously, her stomach doing somersaults as reality rearranged itself. It was odd. Typically, she experienced nothing physically when walking through a veil. Not that she’d been through many, but still.

She kept her eyes closed, allowing Mikhail to walk her a short distance. She could feel softness beneath her feet and knew it was grass. She could hear water flowing in the distance, and the scents were wonderful—both fresh and sweet.

Mikhail positioned her carefully before saying softly from her right, “Okay, you can look now.”

Jinx opened her eyes and gasped in wonder. They were standing in a lush, verdant paradise unlike anything she had ever seen. Vibrant flowers in every hue imaginable bloomed all around them, their sweet perfume filling the air. Towering trees with leaves of gold and silver swayed gently in the warm breeze.

But what truly took Jinx's breath away was the magnificent waterfall before them—a cascade of crystal-clear water surrounded by smooth rocks and delicate ferns. "This is incredible," Jinx breathed, unable to tear her eyes away from the stunning scenery. “Wait …” She began to walk across the grassy field, her gaze fixed on the waterfall. “Is that water flowing up instead of down ?”

Mikhail smiled, clearly pleased by her reaction. “It sure is. It seems to defy gravity, doesn’t it?”

Jinx squinted, noticing the pool of water on the ground was, in fact, feeding the stream of water up to another body of water that appeared to hover, suspended by an invisible force. There were steps leading up the side, and as she watched, a golden mist swirled around the edges of each level, giving them an ethereal, dream-like quality.

“How is this possible?” she asked, stunned. “What is this place?”

“Heaven,” Mikhail replied, far too nonchalantly for her liking.

Her mouth fell open, and she dragged her eyes away from the incredible sights in front of her to stare at Mikhail. “I beg your pardon?”

Mikhail had the audacity to laugh at her, nudging her mouth closed with his knuckle. He swept his arm out, gesturing to the endless beauty around them. “These are the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. In Heaven.”

Jinx could hardly believe her ears. “You brought me to Heaven?”

He shrugged. “I had to beat Sabre’s gift somehow.”

It was beyond anything she could have imagined, and its sheer absurdity made her giddy. “The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, huh?” she murmured in wonder. “Are we even allowed to be here?”

Mikhail gazed around, the gentle breeze ruffling his brown hair. “I come here often. Whenever I need time alone to think or just be , I open a portal and whisk myself to these gardens. I’ve yet to encounter anyone else, and I’ve never been told I can’t. There are some curious critters here, but nobody to ask permission from. I assume it’s fine.”

“This is your special place,” Jinx said quietly, letting the knowledge sink into her heart.

Mikhail smiled, a hint of vulnerability in his usually confident demeanour. “It is,” he confirmed. “This place has always been a source of peace for me.”

Jinx felt overwhelmed by the magnitude of it all, by the beauty around them and by the lengths Mikhail had gone to share something important to him with her of all people. Feeling humbled, she rose on her toes to press a chaste kiss to his smooth cheek. “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome,” he said, touching his fingers to his cheek. “Heaven suits you.”

Jinx scoffed at that. “Hardly.” Before he could argue, she grabbed his hand. “Come on. Show me around.”

They walked through winding paths and over delicate stone bridges that spanned small pools filled with colourful fish. The aroma of blooming flowers filled Jinx's nose, mingling with the waterfall's fresh scent and the surrounding forest's earthy undertones. She saw more wonders everywhere she looked: glowing fireflies fluttering among shimmering crystals, miniature mushrooms in neon colours, and even a tiny purple frog snoozing atop a bed of emerald moss.

As they neared the edge of the lower pool, the air grew warm and humid, causing her skin to glow with a light sheen of sweat. Her tiger chuffed happily in her mind; she loved to swim. She wanted to jump in immediately. But … “If I jump in, will I fall up?” Jinx shook her head, a joyful laugh falling from her lips. “I can’t believe I just asked that. You can’t fall up .”

Mikhail’s answering smirk was sinful. “Let’s find out.”

“I don’t have anything to swim in,” she pointed out.

Mikhail turned around, rummaging behind a large rock. He retrieved a cooler bag, holding it aloft proudly. “I spoke with Sabre. She packed a swimming costume for you, as well as a towel and a change of clothes if you need them. And there’s food and drink in here, too, thanks to the royal kitchens.”

Jinx took the one-piece bathing suit that he passed her. “You really thought of everything, huh? Sabre didn’t wonder why I needed one?”

“Are you kidding? She was thrilled. Apparently, swimming will be helpful for Operation Cupid,” he informed her with a roll of her eyes.

“That is not a thing!” Jinx immediately retorted.

Mikhail chuckled with a shake of his head. “Unfortunately, it is. They’re all in on it. I overheard Eric begging Sabre not to make him flirt with you or hit you with random objects ever again.”

Jinx groaned. “They are ridiculous.”

“They are,” Mikhail agreed, pulling his shirt up and over his head in one smooth motion. “I’ll help you get back at them.”

“Promise?” Jinx murmured, her eyes locked on Mikhail’s bare chest. Corded muscles rippled beneath bronzed skin as he shifted his weight. His broad shoulders tapered to a narrow waist, creating a V-shape in which she wanted to rest her head. His abs were a sculpted landscape of ridges and valleys, tensing and relaxing with each measured breath. Veins snaked beneath the surface of his skin, a roadmap of vitality pumping life through his formidable frame. A wolf head tattoo was branded over his ribs, adding to the overall package.

Mikhail cleared his throat loudly. “Jinx?”

“Huh?” Her eyes shot up, finding his amused … and hot. “Did you say something?”

He nodded slowly, carelessly dropping the shirt at his feet. “I said, I promise . Between the two of us, I’m sure we can come up with something.”

“Right. Good. I’m just going to, uh …” she waved to the side, “give you some privacy. I’ll get changed, too.”

She fled before he could say anything, but his sexy, knowing laugh followed her into the thick bushes. She took a moment to fan herself and get her hormones in check before quickly stripping and donning the modest bathing suit. She hesitated, wondering if she should remove her new bracelet, but decided to keep it on. When she walked back out, she found him in a pair of tiny green swim shorts that matched his eyes and left absolutely nothing to the imagination.

Staring at his crotch, she saw movement and saliva pooled in her mouth. “Your dick is twitching,” she stated without thought.

Mikhail gurgled, covering his bulging swim shorts with his hands. “Talking like that really isn’t going to help it stop.”

Jinx wished the ground would swallow her up. She dropped her face into her hands. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I said that. How embarrassing.”

Mikhail peeled her hands away, holding them at his sides. “Don’t be sorry. I’m not. I love how my body responds to yours. But I’m trying to keep things platonic here. I brought you here so you could relax and have fun. I brought you here because you deserve it. Not to seduce you.”

She barely refrained from telling him she was already seduced. Job done. But she simply stepped back, saying, “Thank you,” before turning and diving into the water.