Chapter Nine
Nicholas could not believe his ears when he heard that voice call out to hold the elevator. He looked up, saw the woman rushing toward him, and before he’d even caught a glimpse of her face, his body responded with the force of a thousand fates. He moved without thinking, without realizing. Because he couldn’t think. Her essence washed over him like a wave, and he was drowning.
He shoved the elevator doors open with the unnatural strength he already once again possessed, and watched her jump into the elevator. It struck the man in him – the predator – that she was running as if something were on her tail. She had the appearance of prey, and the wolf was right behind her.
He looked up; nature demanded that he do so. Every neuron was firing, every nerve ending staticking to life, and he felt his eyes heat up – as his gaze met that of none other than his Challenger.
Nero stood at the center of the lobby beyond the elevators, his tall body stalk-still, his piercing green eyes focused on Nick’s with a fierceness that was palpable. And Nicholas gave the same. The monster in him snapped to vicious life. It was vital and primal and ancient:
One woman. Two men.
And there had never been a battle Nicholas was more prepared to fight. He calmly moved forward, pressing the “close doors” button on the elevator’s panel as his eyes tore holes in his Challenger and his lips curled into a warning smile.
She’s mine, the smile told Nero. And it’s nice to see you again.
In the brief seconds before the doors slid completely shut, Nero smiled back. It was a mirror image, an echoed warning, and a like-wise promise. Ditto. And you too. And by the way, this time I’m going to kill you for sure.
Nicholas turned away as the doors shut for good, and the woman spun to face him in the small space occupied by her, Nicholas, and his two Preceptors.
“Thank you so much,” she breathed thankfully. “I didn’t think I was… going….” The woman’s sweet, slightly raspy voice faltered as she met his gaze.
And so did Nicholas. He faltered big time.
Adelaide… her name whispered through his mind like a breeze through a forest. Her spirit smelled like cherry blossoms and Pez dispensers. It was the youthful scent of hope, of dreams not yet realized but waiting on the horizon. Her eyes were deep brown doorways to another world. It was a universe of kindness, of pain, and of empathy. Every beautiful deed, every hard-learned mistake, every regret and wish and secret longing of hers was laced with the pixie dust of goodness. Her soul splayed out before him like a million-petalled flower, brilliant, multi-hued, and impossible. She was then and there, in the thousands of years of his existence, the most beautiful creature he had ever beheld.
And he knew in that moment not only that she was the queen, but more importantly, he understood why. It all made sense now. His life made sense. For the first time in that life, he realized it really hadn’t ever made sense before.
“It’s not a problem,” he said softly, stepping forward because he couldn’t help but do so. “In fact,” he added as he smiled. “It’s my pleasure.”
Boy had he never meant that more than he did then.
Someone behind him cleared his throat, and a female voice he was too familiar with spoke up. “What floor do you need, miss?” Minnaea asked.
Adelaide blinked. As she hesitated, Nicholas took more in, inhaling her presence as if he were about to dive deep. Her thick, wavy hair was the color of a young acorn, that precious and new brown that hinted at possibilities. It was currently in slight disarray, beautifully ruffled by her brief flight across the lobby. Her skin was caramel gold, with the kiss of the sun across the apples of her cheeks. Her lips were full and slightly pink, and those had seen sun recently as well.
His eyes traced her outline with a growing hunger, grazing over her chin, and down the long, slim length of her neck. The collar of her white tee-shirt hung down just enough on one side to reveal her collarbone, and Nicholas struggled with the impulse to kiss it.
“Um,” she said softly – too softly. She closed her eyes and shook her head as if trying to clear it. He felt like crowing with victory that he could have had such an effect on her. “Floor seven please,” she said, eyes still closed. She turned away from him to face the control panel on the elevator before she opened her eyes again. “Thank you,” she said, this time addressing Minnaea.
Minnaea smiled and gave a slight nod. Andros, for his part, was watching the proceedings in stoic silence and palpable interest. The elevator began to rise. Less than two seconds later, it slowed, and the doors dinged open again. “Floor seven is lit for you,” said Minnaea. “But this is our floor.” She turned and looked at her husband, who smiled and joined her beside the doors. “We’re getting off here.”
Both Preceptors nodded at their king, who tried not to grin, and stepped off the elevator onto what was obviously a spa floor. They moved out into the hall and the doors proceeded to close behind them. Minnaea glanced over her shoulder at Nick just before they shut completely. Don’t screw this up, her expression said.
And then Nicholas was alone with his future Nightmare Queen, and the elevator was going up.