grumbled as he watched Hilly stuff clothes into three suitcases spread open on the bed. Hilly turned and stared at her husband who confronted her wearing only boxers. He assumed his familiar “I’m serious” stance: hands on hips, brow furrowed, and mouth in a crooked sneer.
Hilly chuckled. At forty-eight, Curtis still had an amazing body thanks to running and yoga. She smiled at the tight stomach muscles grinning above the waistband of his blue boxers. Dark ringlets bounced atop his disheveled long hair making him appear more like a pouting teenager than her husband of fifteen years. And she adored him.
“Yep, a full month,” she replied as she scoured the closet looking for the proper shoes to take with her—four pairs of hiking boots and a cute pair of red heels—just because. “You knew this day would come. It’s not like I haven’t talked about my quest for the last three months.”
Hilly was anxious to begin her journey to reconnect with the ancient tribes, and to walk the shaman’s path. During that weekend at the estate when she, along with her siblings, discovered that she was a descendant of a powerful ancient family and possessed magical abilities, she obsessed about rediscovering herself and understanding more about how she would contribute to restoring peace to the world. Since her Revelation, her powers had multiplied, including telepathy, astral travel and manipulating fire. Her intuition and senses sharpened—a dramatic transformation that led her from a gray-washed world to one bursting with technicolor with enhanced scents, sights and sounds.
Despite her excitement about the trip, she worried about leaving Curtis alone.
Over the years, Curtis embraced her quirky psychic gifts. Though he didn’t possess magical powers himself, he fully supported her and oftentimes described her to others as a witch with a strong intuition.
But Hilly had changed at The Nine Muses when the memories of her magical powers had been restored. She often wondered if their love would survive if she shared the truth—battling a beast with her siblings, dying on the beach, and being reborn in a tub of healing potions. Would Curtis accept that she possessed powers that could subdue a strong Cererian? Would he understand that aliens lived side-by-side with humans? Hilly knew this information would overwhelm him and might push him over the edge. There’s nothing like discovering your wife died and returned from the Land of the Dead to make a fellow reconsider his choice of mates.
Although she was fully telepathic, she respected the privacy of others and never probed the minds of anyone including Curtis. There were many moments when she wanted to know what he was thinking like when she saw him for the first time after the battle. Having remained at the bed-and-breakfast while Hilly joined her siblings at the estate, Curtis had been extremely curious when she returned.
“How did it go?” he had asked.
She laughed.
Curtis frowned.
“I’m sorry, I’m a little punchy. I didn’t get much sleep. They had a lot of activities for us.” She stifled another chuckle as she turned away to make tea.
“Something’s different,” Curtis said, stepping closer and sniffing her hair.
“What are you doing?” Hilly asked, playfully batting Curtis away.
“You’re different. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s weird.”
“Different? How?” she responded, acting nonchalant or as innocent as a person could behave when, just twelve hours earlier, she died brutally on a beach.
“You smell like gardenias and it looks like your skin has a blue tinge. And, your eyes are greener than they used to be.” He leaned close and lightly kissed her cheek. “Your skin tastes like flowers. Were you guys working with herbs over the weekend?”
Hilly recognized that as an opportunity to avoid the full truth. “Why, yes, you’ll be happy to hear that my siblings are very familiar with pagan rituals and beliefs.” She hadn’t really answered his question, but now he was completely thrown off the topic of how she had changed.
“That’s fantastic! How did you find out?”
Hilly sighed. Curtis’ questions might never end unless she was completely honest with him. She bit her lip, deciding whether to tell him everything or continue weaving a trail of half-truths. She’d throw one more at him and see if he persisted.
“We were doing an activity together and one thing led to another; and I mentioned I was a witch. Then everyone chimed in that they knew witches in their hometowns.”
“Awesome. Sounds like you’ve made peace with your brothers and your sister. Perhaps we can get everyone together for a reunion.” Curtis grabbed the whistling kettle and poured the hot water into the Brown Betty teapot. He then engulfed Hilly in a huge hug. “It’s great having you back in my arms. I’m happy everything worked out.” Suddenly, he pushed her back and grew serious. “Gee, babe, I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But Mr. Spatz ran away while you were at the estate. I searched for him every day but couldn’t find him. I couldn’t reach you on your phone.”
Hilly’s eyes widened. “Mr. Spatz ran away?” Her mind raced. What should she say? How would she explain to Curtis that they needed to forget about that cat? The imposter feline that shape-shifted into Stygian, whom she had battled on the beach. It sounded absurd in her head, and she imagined how Curtis would take it. Hilly exhaled. “I’m sorry to hear that. I wouldn’t worry. Mr. Spatz found us and I’m sure he’ll find another family willing to take him in.” Hilly smiled reassuringly at Curtis while thinking about Stygian, knowing he was safely imprisoned in an interdimensional cell that only she could unlock.
Hilly mused about their lighthearted exchange three months earlier, and reconsidered sharing more of the details with Curtis before her trip to Alaska. After all, her past would eventually catch up to her. She watched him fold some clothes and stow them carefully into her luggage. He was a kind soul and she worried about what might happen to him while she was gone. Should she talk about Stygian? Should she explain why she has insisted on crystal-gridding the house every week? How would she describe the Cererians?
Curtis looked at her and smiled.
There was something about his grin. And, just like that, her mind was made up. I’ll have that conversation with him when I return from Alaska. For now, I’ll leave him with something much more memorable.
Hilly called out to her husband, “Come here, handsome.” She narrowed her eyes and curled her finger beckoning him to come closer.
Always the clown, he sashayed to her as a devilish grin spread across his face.
Hilly giggled as she watched him strut toward her. Raising his arms over his head he flexed his muscles, popping his biceps and six-pack. Hilly stepped closer and teased his hair with her finger while sliding her other hand into his boxers. Curtis stiffened in response to her soft caresses. She took a step back and seductively unbuttoned her shirt. Curtis hung onto her hips and swayed side-to-side as her blouse fluttered open exposing two dark nipples standing rigid. She removed her shirt and flung it behind her. She suddenly grabbed Curtis’ butt and pressed her hip against his, grinding slowly. They both moaned as they swayed together in an embrace.
Curtis kissed her neck, her cheek, and then pressed onto her mouth, parting her lips with his tongue.
Hilly whimpered and kissed him back, thrusting her tongue deep into his mouth. Her hands slid down his back until she cupped his buttocks, and then she squeezed.
Suddenly he lifted her, mouths locked together, and carried her to the bed. He swept the luggage aside, scattering the clothes, and tossed her down. Curtis hovered over her and began kissing her neck, then her shoulders, and then to her breasts where he lingered, as he teased and suckled her nipples. Hilly sighed, grabbed her skirt, and slowly lifted it, exposing a bright red, lace thong. She moaned as he moved down her torso teasing her bellybutton with his tongue. He stood up and gently removed her panties. Hilly quivered in anticipation, moistening with excitement.
Curtis wriggled his boxers down to the floor and flung them away with one foot. He gazed at her longingly. He gently stroked the outside of her legs before he spread them open and folded into her, licking her heat carefully. Hilly gasped and arched her back.
“God, oh god!” she squealed. He smiled knowing his tongue had found her trigger. She thrust her hips and he obliged by probing deeper. In a breathy whisper, Hilly demanded, “Now. Take me now.”
Curtis grabbed her wrists with one hand and held them above her head as he gently kissed her face and her neck. His other hand guided himself into her warmth, pulsing with excitement. He rocked slowly, his eyes closed in ecstasy. Then he pressed faster as Hilly panted. Curtis kissed Hilly’s cheek and grinned a wicked smile. “If I’m not going to see you for a month, then I’m going to make sure you have something to remember me by.” And then thrust eagerly while Hilly moaned in ecstasy.