Dovetailed (15 page)

Venus seemed to read his expression. “I know what you’re thinking…” her voice trailed off. She ached just as he did. “But I don’t think—”

“I agree. Now isn’t the time, as badly as I want it to be.”

“So do I,” she said, snuggling against him so their bodies were flush with each other.

Michael groaned, forcing away the excitement he felt at having her body so near his. “I’ve got an idea.” He took her hand. “Shall we travel your way or mine?”

Her eyes danced with joy. “What’s your way?”

“Wrap your arms around me.”

Venus complied, resting her cheek against his chest, so close he had a random thought of tasting her soul. He’d done it before and enjoyed it immensely. She hadn’t minded either. Instead, he folded his arms around her and thought of the place where they’d met for the first time.

An instant later they were there. He searched the area, making sure no one else was around. When he looked at Venus he saw she’d been watching him.

“I was just here and was thinking I wanted to come back to this place.”

“You were?” he asked, not surprised. They were connected. It was more than their souls, more than the attraction they had for each other. There was no explanation for it, though. It was a cosmic, unknowable thing and he would do anything to keep what they had.

“Yes.” Venus walked over to the log, the one he’d been sitting on when he first saw her. She straddled it so that the log was between her legs, and then patted the spot in front of her.

His body hummed to life and he rushed over, sitting like she was. “Hi,” he said, feeling nervous for some reason.

She laughed and he could tell she was nervous too. “Hi,” she returned.

They stared at each other for what seemed like a long time. Her eyes were the most beautiful color he’d ever seen. They sparkled in the sunlight, flecks of diamond shining. Michael took her hand in his, caressing her palm with his fingers. She leaned forward and he kissed her.

Michael knew he would never tire of her lips. She tasted like strawberries. He pulled her forward. Venus lifted her legs over his. He pulled her tight against him. Her body touching his, her lips on his—she felt incredible. His body responded. He wanted her. Pressing her mouth open he deepened the kiss, teasing his tongue into her mouth. She moaned, grabbing hold of the sleeves of his shirt and pulling him even closer.

Venus was wearing a uniform similar to that of Zaren’s Formytian one, only white. It was sleek and allowed him to feel every curve of her body. He found a space between the top and the bottom where her skin was visible and he brushed his fingers against her. She shuddered.

“Michael,” she whispered, moving her hands under his shirt.

If they kept this up, he wouldn’t be able to stop. “I love you, Venus.” She kissed his neck, along his collarbone. “If you don’t stop now, I’m going to want to go all the way,” he moaned into her hair.

“I know.”

Michael heard the sadness in her voice. They needed a change of pace. “I bet I can run faster than you,” he said against her hair.

She bubbled over with laughter, and they both relaxed. “Only one way to find out,” she said, unwinding herself from him. He missed her nearness, but smiled too.

“You want to take me on?”

“Psssh, there won’t be a contest.” Venus stood and pulled Michael up.

“First one to reach the bottom of the mountain wins.” Michael smacked her on the butt.

“Deal,” she yelped.

But he’d already taken off. He hadn’t used his powers to run yet. In all honesty he had no idea how fast he could go. The way his body moved and the feel of the wind against his face and in his hair felt faster than normal and he didn’t get tired. It felt as though he could run forever. In what seemed like no time he was at the bottom of the hill. Venus was already there.

“How the Helker did you manage that?”

Venus snorted. “I’ve got skills, dear husband.” She patted him on the arm. “Let’s try something else. How about arm wrestling?”

Michael laughed. “Fine. Okay. Wife. Let’s do this.” He glanced around for a flat surface. There wasn’t one, so he pulled her close. “How about another kiss?”

She smiled. “I’d like that.”

Their lips smashed together. This time there was no holding back. This time it was all passion. He knew she needed him as badly as he needed her. And he wanted her right now.

He tried to get her shirt off. It was complicated, to say the least, and the damn thing wouldn’t move.

After several minutes, Michael let out a groan of frustration.

Venus laughed.

Michael sighed, leaning back to see her face. Some of her hair had fallen out of her braid. “We’ve got to stop.”

“I know.” She stepped back.

“So what’s next for you?” he asked, turning her around and pulling out the tie that held her hair. Michael gently ran his fingers through her hair and allowed it to fall against her back.

“What are you doing?” Venus asked, tucking the back of her head against his neck.

He sighed and pushed her forward. “I’m going to re-braid your hair.”

She chuckled. “You know how?”

Michael hated to admit it, but yes. He actually learned the technique in Scouts as a kid, braiding rope. He was good at it and it came easy to him.

“Of course I do,” he snorted, grasping her hair with one hand and running his fingers through it with the other.

“Mmmmmm,” she said and Michael knew she was enjoying it.

So was he. Touching her, being near her, it was all he wanted. He braided her hair quickly and used the tie to hold it in place. When he’d finished, he swatted her on the butt softly.

Venus yelped and then sighed. “I’d like for us to run away to some deserted planet and spend several weeks in seclusion.” She pressed her body into his.

Michael groaned. “I like the sound of that.” He moved her braid and kissed her neck. Venus shivered. Michael smiled. He loved that he could make her feel good. “There are so many…” he trailed off, kissing a trailed up her neck. “Many, many parts of you…” he stopped talking and nibbled on her earlobe. “I still want to explore.”

Venus moaned, turning in his arms to face him. Her vivid blue eyes searched his face. “I want to get to know all of you.” She stood on tiptoes and suckled his bottom lip.

Michael lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his hips.

Their lips crashed into each other. Man, he wished they were in a bedroom and had all the time in the world.

But they weren’t. Now wasn’t the time. It killed him to think it, but they needed to stop. “Dammit,” he growled.

“I know,” she said, leaning her forehead against his cheek. “Did you come to Earth to find me?” Michael shook his head. She lifted hers. “No? Then why are you here?”

He took a deep breath. “The Sisters have discovered how I can obtain the blood of the fallen.”

“They have?” Venus pushed his hair off his face. The gentleness of her touch sent tingles over his body.

“Tawny,” he said.

Venus froze. “Really?”

“Yes. I’m hoping she’ll just give it to me. That’s what the Leviathan leader did.”

“How will you find her? Get close enough to her?”

He smirked. Venus was amazing. Looking into her eyes, watching the way she spoke, he forgot momentarily that she was a god.

You’re as close to a god as she is.

Different but the same.

Savior
.

That word again. The Sistine Sisters had an annoying way of freaking him out.

“I have my ways,” Michael finally said.

Venus laughed, touching his eyebrows and tracing them. He closed his eyes for a moment, longing for some alone time. He really wanted to seal their marriage.

“Be careful, okay?” She kissed his eyelids.

“I will,” he said, cupping her butt and pulling her closer. Michael watched her eyes dilate. “What?” he asked, his voice hoarse with emotion.

“I want you, husband.”

He crushed his lips to hers. “Soon.” He set her on the ground and she stepped back. They were both breathing heavily and, as soon as her body was no longer touching his, he ached for her to return.

“The next time I see you, we need to take this further,” she said, touching his chest.

He covered her small hand with his. “Promise.”

She vanished. His body strained with desire. He’d never wanted someone so much in his life, but he needed to focus. He needed to find Tawny.

“Alright, ladies. What now?”

The sisters exhaled in unison.

“You two are lovely together.”

“The perfect couple.”

“Destined.”

“Fine. I get it, but I need you to focus. We need to find Tawny.”
As he spoke to the sisters in his mind, he watched the sun set. It felt like forever since he’d seen that. The sun was a deep red orange as it hung large in the clear blue sky. In the distance were the Rocky Mountains, and he watched the sun slowly sink behind them.

He thought the Sisters were smitten until they started talking.

Let’s start at her house.

Where does she live?

Home
.

“Fine.” He was about to go Ferether, since it was easier to travel that way, but the door to Chev’s house opened and she headed straight toward him.

“What are you doing here?”

Michael noticed she didn’t have any of the stress or sadness or pain she’d had when he saw her in Helker. She looked refreshed, actually, and it made him wonder how much she remembered. “Hey Chev,” he said, tucking his hands in the back pockets of his jeans.

“You know me?” One eyebrow came up.

“Of course. We’ve gone to school together since… forever.” Michael rubbed the back of his neck, feeling slightly awkward.

Chev grabbed her head. “Cheese on crackers, I can’t remember.”

“Oh,” he asked. “What happened?”

She shrugged. “No one knows.” She crossed her arms as though she were cold. The sun had set, but it was still warm out. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Michael,” he said, wondering if his name would ring any bells.

“Oh.”

The door to her house opened and her father came out. “Who is it?” he asked.

Chev turned. “It’s Michael. A friend from school?” She spoke the last part in a question.

Her father ran off the porch, a shot gun aimed at Michael’s chest. “You’ve been missing too. The police found your father’s body. Where have you been? And don’t lie to me, boy.”

Michael raised his hands in surrender. “I went to stay with some relatives in Colorado. I just got back and heard Chev had been found. I wanted to make sure she was okay.” The lies came way too easily and he schooled his features so he looked concerned.

“Oh.” Chev’s father lowered his gun. “We were sorry to hear about your mother and your father. Serious bad luck.” He grabbed Chev by the arm. “As you can imagine, we’re being extra cautious. A lot of strange stuff has been happening around here lately. Another student turned up dead and two more are missing.” Chev walked backward with her father. “You can understand if I’m not as cordial as I could be.”

“Of course. I’m sorry to bother you…” He dropped his hands.

“It’s alright. You back for good?”

Michael shook his head. “Nah, just came by to make sure Chev was okay.”

Her father stopped and raised the gun to Michael’s chest again. “How’d you get out here? I don’t see a vehicle.”

Michael swore internally. In the same instant he suddenly knew how to create the illusion of one. And he did. The Sisters snickered and clapped. He shook his head and then turned. “It’s right there.” He pointed at the large black truck.

Chev’s father blinked several times. “Right. Well, you better git.” He lowered his gun once again but continued to drag Chev until they were on the porch.

“Got it,” Michael said and waved, then turned and jogged toward the truck. When he heard the door to the house shut, he made the truck disappear and he changed into a shadow, easily blending into the night.  

The coronation had been quick; Modna said a few words and Palmo and the other Chans offered their congratulations, as did the Formytians, Zaren, and Palamina. It’d been over before it really began. Modna placed the crown on her head and the ceremony was complete.