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Zach let Simon take their new addition to the Santa Luna haven on his own. After what had happened, he barely had the strength to fake being fine until Simon left—and used what he did have left to make his way to his apartment, stumble up the stairs and drag himself to his bed.
A small sliver of heat pulsed in his chest, like a second heartbeat. It scared the hell out of him.
“Zach? Are you here?”
Oh, God—Misty. He forgot she was coming over.
His amazing, miraculous girlfriend. Misty Corwin, former cheerleader, gorgeous blonde, and completely aware of his every freakish power. That she loved him anyway still surprised him.
“Zach—damn it.” She stalked across his bedroom and sat next to him on the bed, her fingers blessedly cool as they brushed hair off his forehead. “What happened?”
“I didn’t—”
“If that’s a lie coming out of your mouth, Zachariah Wiche, shove it back in and tell me the truth.”
He sighed, and rolled on to his back, meeting Misty’s clear blue eyes. She was furious, and worried.
“Something happened, when Simon and I were cornering a fire demon.”
“Good God—fire demons? I really need to read that guide Alex gave me.”
He smiled up her. Alex Finch was Misty’s best friend, and part of the reason they were together. Alex and her boyfriend Sam Emmett ran the Hyattown haven—one of the only underground havens in the network. Alex had also saved his life, more than once. He liked to think he had returned the favor.
“How is she?”
“Fine. More than fine, now that she can spend most of her time in the haven with Sam. Good way to distract me, golden boy.” She took his hand, her fingers trembling. He felt bad for keeping her in suspense, scaring her like this. “Tell me what happened.”
He did, hesitating over whether to reveal what he feared. But he needed a more objective opinion, and since she knew exactly who he was, and what he had been, she was the perfect sounding board.
“I think—I think the demon touched my grace.”
“Oh, my God.” She stared at his tattoo. He didn’t need to look to know it was still lit up like white neon. “There?”
“Yeah.” He pushed himself up, and Misty wrapped her arm around his waist. Her acceptance of him, no matter how weird his life got, made him realize just how lucky he was to have her. “I should have burned it out when I fell. I haven’t felt anything from the tattoo, except when Simon touched me, before he and Elias—merged. I think Elias might have awakened what was still here.”
He took a chance, touched his tattoo. His skin was cool, the white glow fading. What he felt before had gone dormant again. He also had a terrible feeling that Mom felt it as well.
“I need to make a call.”
“Your mom.”
He blinked at her. “Yeah. How—”
“Your face is like an open book, Zach. Call her, make sure she’s okay.” She kissed him before she stood. “I’ll give you some privacy, throw some food together. I take it you haven’t eaten anything since this happened.”
She didn’t wait for the answer to what wasn’t a question, closing the door behind her. Zach swallowed, bracing himself for the conversation, and grabbed his phone off the nightstand. Mom picked up before the first ring finished.
“Zach—are you all right, sweetheart?”
He closed his eyes. “You felt it.”
“Not as keenly as you, I’m guessing. Tell me.”
For the second time, he ran through the events of the afternoon.
“Misty is there with you?”
“Yeah. She’s fixing me something to eat.”
“I like her, Zach. Don’t chase her away.”
“I’ll try not to.” Her laughter made him smile. “She knows the worst and she’s still here.”
“Don’t think so little of your gifts, Zach. I know they can be a burden, but you will grow into them, and learn to control them. I have faith in you.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Now go eat, and come by The Wiche’s Broom tomorrow. We can talk more.”
“Okay. I love you.”
“I love you back, sweetheart.” He heard the smile in her voice. “Now, don’t keep Misty waiting.”
He ended the call and resisted the desire to sprawl across the bed. Instead, he pushed to his feet, and braced one hand against the wall, dizzy.
“Food,” he muttered. “That’s all I need.”
He made his way along the wall until he reached the door, opening it to find Misty on the other side, her hand raised to knock.
“Food’s ready...” Her voice faded, and she moved to him, grabbing him around the waist. “You are so far from okay, Zach. Let’s get you back to bed.”
“No—food. I just need to eat.”
“Fine, Mr. Stubborn. But if that doesn’t do it, I’m dragging your cute butt to bed and calling your stepfather.”
“I’ve been warned.”
She laughed, leading him over to the couch, and he felt better already. If Marcus got involved, Zach would get a two hour lecture while Marcus examined every inch of him. No thanks.
After he sat, Misty picked up a plate and filled it. “Eat all of it and I’ll rethink calling Marcus.”
“Deal.”
Once he got the first bite down his appetite came roaring back. Misty filled his plate twice more, and he was still hungry. He considered that a good sign. The pulsing in his chest was also gone. An even better sign.
Maybe it was a combination of things, and he was overreacting. He’d have Mom look at the tattoo tomorrow, and he was sure she’d feel nothing, except the low hum he felt from it when one of his talents came to the surface.
Feeling better already, he leaned over and kissed Misty. She wrapped her arms around him and returned the kiss, her lips warm, her body warmer in his arms. God, he loved her.
“That was nice,” she whispered. He settled back on the couch, taking her with him, and she tucked her head under his chin. “You scared me, Zach. I don’t want to feel like that again—though I think that’s asking a lot, considering.”
“Yeah.” He tightened his grip on her. “I’ll understand if you—”
“Don’t you even dare finish that sentence.” She pulled out of his arms and sat, facing him. “I knew what I was getting into, falling for you. I love you, Zach, and all the crazy baggage you drag with you. And don’t bring up the parent argument. I’m eighteen, out of school, and free to live my life as I see fit. The trust from my grandmother came with only one string—I had to graduate from high school. I have, and the money is mine. So, no matter what my parents may think, their opinion isn’t going to rule my life. Our life.”
He swallowed, his heart pounding. “So,” he tried to sound casual. “Does that make you my sugar daddy?”
Laughter burst out of her. “I’d prefer sugar mama.” She sobered, and framed his face, her blue eyes intense. It makes me free, Zach. Free to love you. Free to build a life with you—if that’s what you want.”
He answered by kissing her. Relief threatened to drown him; he’d been so worried about her walking away from her family because of him, forced to scrabble because she dared love a freak her parents didn’t approve of.
They finally came up for air, both of them breathing hard. Zach ran his hands through her hair, loving the silky feel of it. “Does this mean—I don’t know what it means.”
“I keep forgetting about your lack of human experience. It means, golden boy, my beautiful former angel, that we can keep moving forward, see if we want to be together, and take it from there.”
“Like—married together?”
“Whoa. You really don’t mince words, do you?” She studied him. “I didn’t think you’d want that, Zach, with who you are. I was happy to shack up with you and live in sin.”
“I want—more.” He wanted what Annie and Eric had, and Mom and Marcus. He wanted—family. He wanted forever. But he didn’t want to scare her off.
“Tell me your definition of more,” she said. “All of it, Zach. Don’t worry about scaring me, because I think we’re on the same wavelength here.”
He twined their fingers together and took a deep breath, letting his heart speak for him.
“I want to marry you, Misty Corwin.”
A slow, beautiful smile crossed her face. “I’m good with that, Zachariah Wiche.”
This time she kissed him, trapping him against the back of the couch, deepening the kiss until they were wrapped around each other, fighting to get closer. Zach slid his hand under her shirt and spread his hand over her back, her warm, soft skin like heaven.
They’d never gone beyond heavy make out sessions, because of his woeful lack of experience. He wanted to learn, to feel everything he possibly could for the beautiful girl in his arms. He wanted her to teach him how to really love.
“Misty,” he whispered against her lips, her warm body bringing out feelings he wasn’t sure he could control yet. “I don’t—”
“I know.” She sighed, and eased back, sliding her hand into his hair. “I’m not sure how to explain—”
“I know what happens. I spent centuries living among mankind before I became mortal.”
“Wow.” One eyebrow raised. “Did you sound that pompous when you were an angel?”
“God—I’m sorry. Defense mechanism. Mom said I did it to her at first. It was one of the reasons she homeschooled me. That, and the fact that I grew six inches and aged about four years in less than two months.”
“Yeah, that would have been hard to explain. Look, Zach, I know this is all new to you, and no matter how many times you saw love between two mortals, you never felt it. We’ll go as slow as you need, or as fast.” She winked. “You’re setting the pace for this. Now, since I’m assuming you just proposed to me, in that adorable way you have of just blurting things out, I want to tell you that what I said was a yes, and that I’d like to wait until we get married for the main event.”
His heart stilled, for an endless second. Did he—oh, yeah, he did.
“Misty—I didn’t—”
“Too late, golden boy. No takebacks.”
“No—” God, no—he didn’t want to take it back. Ever. He just wanted it to have been—better. “I didn’t mean to blurt it out like that. It should have been—”
“Romantic? With hearts and flowers and china and candles? Would you laugh if I told you I thought this was so romantic I almost cried?” She brushed her lips over his, and his body jerked, needing her. “I’m not a hearts and flowers kind of girl, Zach. All I will ever need are the words, and you saying them. A ring would be nice, though. But no diamonds—I hate diamonds. They’re so cold.”
“A ring—I should have had—”
“An impromptu proposal doesn’t always come with all the trimmings. We can pick out the ring together, or you can surprise me. I want to wait to tell anyone until after I have it. But you can tell your mom, since I have a feeling you’re going to ask for her help picking out a ring. She does have some fabulous ones at her store. Hint, hint.”
He laughed, the last of his panic and uncertainty disappearing. This was the girl he fell for at first sight. Funny, smart, honest, with a streak of loyalty a mile wide. He was going to spend the rest of his life with her.
“Hint taken. I love you, Misty.”
“I love you more, Zach.” His stomach growled, and she laughed, hugging him. “Why don’t we celebrate with a big meal over at Billie’s Pub. Your stomach is asking for steak, if I read that growl right.”
“Only if I pay.”
“Zach—”
“I’m a full-time employee with the haven, Misty. You may be my sugar mama, but I do have my own pocket money.” More than pocket money. The haven paid so well, because of the hazards of the job and the secrets he was forced to keep, he had a huge savings account, even after just a few months.
“Deal.” She kissed him, then stood. “I’m going to freshen up, then we can go.”
“Okay.” That would give him a few minutes, at least. Misty never took too long to get ready, but she might take extra time since this was their—engagement dinner. “Oh, God,” he whispered. He had to call Mom.
She picked up on the first ring. “Twice in one day, Zach. I’m honored.”
“Mom...” His throat tightened, and he knew he’d cry like a baby if he didn’t pull himself together.
“Zach? What is it, sweetheart?” She sounded worried, and that was the last thing he wanted.
“I asked Misty to marry me.”
“Zach.” Concern edged her vice. “Are you certain it was time to—”
“She said yes.”
“Oh, sweetheart. I’m so happy for you. I wish I was there right now, so I could hug you.”
“Thanks, Mom. I wish you were here, too.” And he did. She had supported him, unconditionally, no matter what. “I, um—it was kind of spontaneous, and I didn’t have a ring.”
He didn’t have to see her to know she was smiling.
“Are you asking for help, my dear son?”
“Misty said she liked—”
“I’ll tell her.” He nearly jumped a foot at Misty’s voice. Before he could recover, she took the phone and started talking. “Hi, Ms. Wiche—right, Claire. I was telling Zach that I adore the selection of rings you have at The Wiche’s Broom, and I’d be thrilled with any of them. No, diamonds are not this girl’s best friend.” She laughed at whatever Mom said. “He looks terrified right now, but I think it’s because I’m talking to you, rather than buyer’s remorse.” She winked at him. “He’s taking me over to Billie’s for a steak dinner, to celebrate.” She listened for a minute. “I love him like crazy, and I’m pretty sure the feeling is mutual. A fall wedding? Yeah, I think we can talk about that.”
He stumbled backward, until he found the armchair, and sank into it.
“Uh, oh,” Misty said. “I think we just lost him. Lunch would be great. Thanks, Claire, I’ll see you then. Bye.”
She ended the call, and crouched in front of him, handing over his phone. “Your mom is the coolest woman. She’s happy for you, Zach—and we won’t do anything without talking to you first.”
“A wedding,” he whispered.
“That bit slipped your mind, didn’t it?” He nodded. “Don’t worry—all the groom has to do is show up, and pick a best man, of course.”
She pulled him to his feet and he followed her out of the apartment, still dazed. He’d want Simon as his best man, but that was impossible, since only his small circle knew Simon was alive.
A wedding—a ring—a best man.
He was really doing it—he was going to marry Misty Corwin.