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“And you say you don’t feel pain when I do this?” Dr Rose Thompson asked, twisting Leila’s wrist slightly to the left.
“No.”
“What about this?”
Leila could feel Dr Thompson’s cold hands on her skin, but no pain. They’d taken the cast off when the same procedure—Rose twisting her hand around, Leila muttering negatives to the questions asked—didn’t work before, so her arm was free. “Nothing.”
Rose couldn’t hide the surprise. “As impossible as it may sound, I think your wrist is healed. I’m going to order X-rays to be sure.”
“Where do I go for those?”
“Next door,” Rose replied, rising from her seat. “Come on, I’ll take you.”
Ten minutes later, they were gazing at the X-rays on a computer screen. Leila was no expert, but she could see that there was nothing wrong with her wrist anymore. She’d healed, basically overnight!
“Incredible.” Rose stared at the screen. “I’ve never seen anyone recover so fast.”
“My ankles are still a problem, if it’s any consolation,” Leila teased.
Rose chuckled, taking off her glasses to rub her eyes. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel like a freak. I’ve never seen a spontaneous healing before. It makes me wonder if your wrist was misdiagnosed.”
Leila shook her head. “No way, the pain was too real.”
“Well, then I guess you should use your superpowers on your ankles. I’m sure you can’t wait to walk again.”
“Getting wheeled around is not exactly my idea of fun,” Leila laughed. “Thanks for seeing me on such short notice. Can I keep the cast?”
“Of course. That artwork is beautiful.” Rose got a business card out and handed it to the ex-supermodel. Leila was more beautiful in person than the pictures she’d seen in magazines over the years. It was almost surreal, how universally attractive Leila was. “If you have any questions, please call this number. Unless I’m in surgery, I’ll answer. And if you have another miraculous recovery, I’ll take samples of your blood for research,” she added with a wink.
“That sounds fair. Until then.”
Much to her relief, Leila could wheel herself out of the doctor’s room. Taine was waiting outside and glanced up as she appeared, smiling broadly when he saw her using both hands.
“It’s a miracle!” he announced, bending down to kiss her before he took the steer. “Maybe we should make a day of it to celebrate. I could leave work early.”
“No, you can’t. Your clients have been on a waiting list for weeks, if not months.”
“I’ll be sure to tell them the only reason I’m there is because my girlfriend made me feel guilty.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to spend more time with you, but this will give me time to study the Milky Way so that when you get home tonight, I can impress you for a change.”
“You impress me every day, but I like teaching you new things.”
“I like learning from you.”
They got to his car, a vintage Mustang. It suited him, but not as well as his Harley had. He’d bought it at a junkyard and, with the help of Dean—one of his fellow tattoo artists, who was also a superb mechanic—they got the Mustang up and running in six months. She was amazed by how much Taine seemed to have accomplished in his life.
He dropped to his knees in front of her, took her face in his hands and kissed her gently. “I can’t wait until you are completely healed,” he murmured against her lips. “At this pace, it might be soon.”
“I hope so,” she said, linking her fingers behind his head. “Then you won’t have to carry me around like I’m a damsel in distress anymore.”
He laughed, hoisting her onto the passenger seat of the car. “I enjoy being your knight in shining armour.” He folded the wheelchair, put it in the back, and walked around to get on the driver’s seat. “I like taking care of you.”
“I’d like to return the favour. But you’ve set the bar pretty damn high. Cooking lessons are next on my to-do list.”
“I’m not with you because I want to change you, Leila. Just continue being the sweet, funny, brilliant woman I fell in love with.”
Gosh, how can another man ever compare?!
* * * * *
Leila eagerly anticipated Taine emerging from the shower, a pen in her hand. When he walked into the bedroom with a towel around his waist and spotted her, he burst out laughing. “Can you give me a minute?”
“Nope. Draw first, then get dressed.”
He got on the bed and took the pen. “Any other demands, beloved?”
“Make it something that reminds you of me.”
“Oh, that’s easy,” he said, quickly sketching the outline of a heart.
She rolled her eyes. “I’m serious!”
He grinned. “Okay, it’s still easy, but it’ll take a while.”
She gave her legs a dry look. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Tartarus started with the outline of a sun. Ananke was a force of nature that provided warmth and comfort. Like on Earth, different positions of that gassy orb meant different seasons. At first, it had been winter, when he’d denied his feelings for her. Now, it was spring: he was rediscovering their love by caring for her.
While he drew, he sent more of his power into her broken bones. He hoped that they would have summer soon. They could spend more time on the beach and in nature when she was fully healed.
Once he’d finished, the sketch covered most of her left leg’s cast, which folded over her foot and went up to her knee. It was the view from the horizon of his planet that orbited her sun, similar to the view outside of the Hall of Souls. Shrubs trimmed into animal shapes; statues of Goddesses filling a field of flowers; and mermaids perched on the rocks by the ocean.
“Oh, wow,” Leila breathed, feeling close to tears. He may as well have drawn his soul on the cast. She sensed that this one was special, like a personal love letter. She sat up to trace her fingers on the lines. Her ankle was warm, but she paid it no attention. “Taine, it’s so beautiful.”
He tried to add a finishing touch to one of the mermaids’ small nipples, but the pen was out of ink. “That will never write again. For how long was I busy?”
She glanced at the alarm clock. “An hour.”
He raked his fingers through his hair, noticing it had dried. “Are you a bit stiff?”
She tugged at his hand, leaning back and willing him to come closer. “I was hoping you were.” She locked her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.
“Leila,” he laughed, “you know my conditions.”
“You won’t hurt me.” She kept kissing him, making sure he wouldn’t interrupt her again. She wanted him so badly she couldn’t keep her hands from removing his towel or roaming his body. When she touched the most sensitive part of him, he groaned against her lips. “Bring that up here.”
“What?” Tartarus asked, his heart skipping a beat.
She gazed into his eyes, feeling dangerous and sexy. “I have a mouth. I’d like to use it.”
He didn’t need to be asked again.
Moments later, his mind ceased functioning, and he could do nothing but stare at the beauty who’s captured his heart. She continued to bewitch him, whenever he thought he knew all there was to know about her.
“Almighty Gods,” Tartarus gasped, feeling lightheaded as he dropped to the mattress afterwards. He stared at the stars on the ceiling while he fought for breath. He was very close to foregoing his own rules and making love to her.
Watching him recover was almost as arousing as bringing him pleasure. Leila’s toes curled and, while her right foot complained painfully, the left felt... normal. She glanced at her feet.
It can’t be!
“You,” he said, taking her recently healed hand in his and kissing the palm, “are amazing.”
She barely noticed him talking. She was wriggling the toes of her left foot to elicit pain, but none was forthcoming. What were the odds that her ankle would heal so quickly? The doctors had told her five weeks. Not five days.
“Leila?” He saw her attention was focused on her feet, and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. It’s working, he thought happily. In less than two days, she’ll be back to normal. Everyone will call it a miracle. “Beloved, are you hurt?”
She looked at him then. “Taine, my left leg is fine!”
* * * * *
“Tartarus is healing Leila.”
Uranus looked up from where he was seated on the lounge chair in Aether’s living room. “What?”
Erebus had a characteristically sombre expression on his face. “I sensed his power last night. Come to think of it, he’d used it the night before, too, but it was much weaker then.” Erebus rubbed his eyes. “He is healing her, I’m sure of it.”
“He’s not allowed!” Aether exclaimed.
Uranus replied: “And we’re not allowed to see our wives, but he knows about that. He likely thinks he can do what he pleases, as a result. He wants time with her, before he breaks her heart.” He shook his head in disbelief. “For aeons, I’ve known my brother. We were the first after Creation. And yet, I never could have predicted this.”
“Then he has tricked you, too!” Erebus growled. “As always, Tartarus deceives and twists rules to serve his own end. I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that you were called to Chicago for that conference, Uranus. The whole thing reeks of Hell’s interference.”
Uranus considered that, going cold.
“It wasn’t him,” Aether admitted quietly. “I sent you away. I thought, with you out of the picture, I could win Leila back.”
Erebus gaped at his brother.
“What has become of us? We are Gods. Gentlemen. We are meant to be honourable,” Uranus said.
“The Births have always brought out our suppressed sides,” Aether reminded Heaven. “Erebus caused the first infanticide on this planet. I did not mean to offend, brother,” he amended when Darkness became edgier than usual. “We simply forget ourselves while we are on Earth. That is all.”
“This Age is different,” Erebus insisted. “Though not as violent as before, I have little to no defences against It. Against her.”
“Look, it’s fairly simple now.” Uranus took a deep breath. “Leila will choose me once Tartarus is through with her. Earth will know peace, and we will be free of this duty, once and for all.”
Erebus seemed unconvinced. “I don’t trust him. Hell will attempt to thwart the plan. He is too invested—”
“In love,” Aether interjected.
“As much as she appears to be, she is not Ananke!” Erebus exploded, rendering them speechless. “He should save this romance for the Realm!”
“You have a point, Erebus,” Uranus said slowly, “but I trust him.”
“Then you are a fool,” Darkness grumbled as he stormed out of the room.
Aether cleared his throat to break the stunned silence. “What has Gaia said about Earth’s changes?”
For the first time, Uranus felt old. “There’s more to come in the next few weeks. Until Tartarus finishes his courtship, it will be cataclysmic.”
“Perhaps Erebus isn’t wrong to worry, then,” Aether reasoned. “Tartarus could involuntarily cause the End of Earth, especially now that Leila is becoming more mobile.”
“He knows what’s at stake.”
“It couldn’t hurt to remind him.”
Uranus’ gaze followed Light out of the room, and he sighed. Damn that brother of mine.
* * * * *
“You’re a mutant freak!” Jazz exclaimed.
Leila burst out laughing and lifted her new phone from her ear. “You mean, ‘determined to get better’.”
“Holy shit, Lala!” Jazz attempted to get a hold of herself. “So, two down, one to go?”
“Listen, the reason for my call—”
“Apart from giving me a heart attack? My baby needs its momma to have a healthy heart, Lala. Think about the children!”
“You’re hilarious. Can you take me shopping tomorrow?”
“Where do you want to go?” Jazz asked suspiciously. “Some shop where dead things become part of the living?”
“Yes, actually, how did you know?”
“Sarcasm does not suit you, my dear friend.”
Leila lowered her voice. “I want to get something for Taine. Now that only one leg is still in a cast, he has no reason to stick to his stupid rules.”
“What you wouldn’t do to get laid,” Jazz laughed. “Yeah, sure, I’ll take you. Are you on crutches now?”
“Yes, thank goodness. I can move around! And stand up!”
“Good for you. Can you jump your boyfriend?”
“I can try. He’ll help.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Jazz!” Leila hung up and looked around her apartment, freezing once she saw her mother, who was staring at her from the kitchen. “How long have you been there?”
“A while,” Sienna said softly. “Your father went out. He’s got business to attend to.”
Leila felt herself blush. “I didn’t mean for you to hear that.”
“Honey, you know I love you, and you know I just want you to be happy.” Sienna walked over and took her daughter’s hands in her own. “But don’t you think you’re moving a bit too fast with Taine? You hardly know him.”
“Wait, I thought you liked him!”
“I think he’s a great guy and I like seeing that he cares for you, but I don’t want you to get hurt. Men like him...”
When her mother trailed off, Leila pressed: “Men like him, what?”
“I’m not sure how long he’s planning on staying, is all. He seems to have one foot out the door already.”
Leila’s mouth popped open. The thought of Taine leaving her was absurd. “Mom, it’s not like that. We get each other.”
“I know, sweetheart. I thought I’d say something, considering I never spoke up about Jake. I just have a funny feeling.”
“You’re the one who always says I should live for the moment. That’s what I’m doing.”
Sienna nodded, seeing that she wasn’t going to get through to her daughter. “Alright.”
“Taine loves me. He would never do anything to hurt me. People might not understand, but I don’t care.”
“Okay, honey, I get it.”
“Good, ’cause I don’t want to talk about this again.”
Sienna pressed her lips together and nodded, but she thought plenty.
* * * * *
“I think you should get something cute, look all innocent.”
Leila rolled her eyes at Jazz, carefully shifting closer to the display. It was strange to walk again. After another evening of Taine decorating her last cast, it had been removed this morning. Leila’s final art piece, a phoenix rising from the ashes, was currently in the boot of Jazz’s car.
“Don’t collapse or anything,” Jazz warned like the true mother hen she was at heart. “You heard what Dr Thompson said.”
Yes, Rose had made it abundantly clear that Leila’s quick recovery was “not normal”, and that Leila should remain on high alert in the days to come. “Just because the bones are healed is not to say everything’s back to normal,” Rose had said, concern etched on her face. “If I had my way, I would admit you for observation, but I know you won’t allow it.”
Leila found it hysterical that her doctor knew her that well. As if she would agree to anything that would delay being reunited with her lover. Yes, it also meant that she had to go back to work earlier than expected, but she was excited about that, too. Being better meant that Taine could take her out. She could even swing by his tattoo parlour!
“What about this one?” Jazz asked, holding up a cotton candy pink ensemble.
Leila was horrified. “Yes, ’cause that’s my colour.”
“Only when you blush, you’re right.”
A shop assistant walked up to them, her jaw going slack once she got a good look at Leila. “Oh, my gosh! It’s you!”
“Please, I don’t want anyone to know I’m here,” she begged the girl, who couldn’t be any older than nineteen. She ignored Jazz’s amused laugh.
The assistant—Sally, according to her nametag—nodded. “Of course. What can I help you with?”
“I’m looking for something dangerous.”
“She wants the guy to take one look at her and rip off these over-priced things faster than you can say doggy style,” Jazz chimed in.
“You are unbelievable,” Leila sighed. She turned to Sally. “Something like she described, but no nipple clamps or weird slits in the crotch. Classy, but sexy.”
“That’s a tall order, sheriff,” Jazz said, tugging at an imaginary cowboy belt while jutting her hip out to the side.
“I’m sure Sally will help me get what I need, seeing as you’re not taking this seriously.”
“Lingerie serves no purpose. It only ends up on the floor, anyway.”
“Well, then I want something that looks as great on the floor as it does on me.”
“Uh, have you considered something like this?” Sally asked, hurrying over to the section with all the one-pieces. She took down a white one. “You’re probably one of the few women who can pull off this colour.”
Leila smiled. “Why, thank you. But I’m not on my honeymoon.”
“Slutty, but classy,” Jazz said, snapping her fingers at Sally.
“Ignore her.”
“We have new stock that came in this morning,” Sally stammered, shifting under Jazz’s gaze. “What is your cup size?” Leila gave Sally her dimensions, and the girl nodded. “I’ll be right back.”
Jazz held up handcuffs when they were alone. “Do you want to tie him up?”
“I don’t think that’ll hold him,” Leila chuckled.
“I know he’s ripped, but he can’t be that strong.”
“He lifted a palm tree off my legs.”
Jazz’s eyes stretched wide. “Right, I’d forgotten about that.”
“Is that a symptom of pregnancy, too?”
“Hush.”
Leila saw an adorable baby blue two-piece and held it out to her best friend. “This will look good on you.”
“That’s cute,” Jazz admitted.
“Weird, I know what you like. It’s like I’m your best friend or something.”
Jazz checked the tags and shrieked happily. “It’s in my size! Lala, you’re a genius.”
Sally returned. “Here it is,” she announced, holding up a gorgeous black corseted bustier. It was transparent from below the breasts to the hips, with red threading and tiny rose patterns scattered throughout the design. Judging by the underwire and padding, it would push Leila’s cleavage up to just below her chin.
Leila was instantly in love, imagining Taine’s reaction.
“If you don’t like it, I’m sure we’ll find something else,” Sally mumbled when Leila didn’t immediately respond.
“No, this is it. Give it to me.” Once she had it in her hands, she knew she had to have it. “What do I wear below?”
Sally held up the matching translucent G-string. “I suggest pairing these with a plain black garter belt and thigh-highs.”
“Ring me up!”
Jazz and Leila walked out of the shop five minutes later, both happy with their purchases, and went for a quick lunch. Then they walked to the boutique where Leila had purchased Taine’s replacement shirt, looking for something she could wear over the lingerie. She found a tight-fitting red strapless dress that would go perfectly with a pair of black high heels she already owned. She also saw a beautiful olive-green shirt that she bought for Taine.
“All of this shopping is making me so tired,” Jazz complained, licking on the ice cream they’d bought at a stand a few blocks down. “Why don’t we pop in to say howdy to that piece of meat you call a boyfriend?”
Leila’s stomach fluttered at the idea. “I don’t know where it is.”
“Oh, Lala.” Jazz made sympathetic noises. “What would you do without me? There is only one Taine’s Tattoo Parlour in this city, and it happens to be around the corner.”
All too soon, they were directly in front of it. Leila gazed at the signage and could see Taine’s influence in the design. He must’ve been very hands-on when preparing for the opening of this place.
“Are we going to stand out here the whole day?” Jazz asked, biting into the cone of her ice cream with a loud crunch. “You know I love you, but come on.”
“I’m nervous,” Leila admitted. “It feels like I’m overstepping.”
“You’re Leila Martins, for heaven’s sake! Ex-supermodel, quantum physicist and tsunami survivor. You should be strutting into the place like you own it.”
“You make a good point.”
“Duh.”
Leila breathed in deeply and pushed the door open. A chime sounded as she stepped over the threshold, which was quickly drowned out by the buzzing noise of tattoo guns. There were at least five people getting theirs done, with another two waiting by the glass counter, which displayed coffee table books about body piercings and art. The walls were covered with sketches and photographs of the people who have had work done here before.
Like Taine, it was trendy yet unassuming.
“Can I help you?” a girl with a pink, spiky Mohawk and about fifteen piercings on each ear, asked. She looked up from where she was tattooing a skull on the back of a buff man’s bald head.
“I’m looking for Taine.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No, but—”
“Oh, you’re Leila,” the girl smiled. “I didn’t recognise you at first.” She looked towards the back of the shop. A long, white room divider obstructed the view to whatever was behind it. Leila imagined people who wanted more privately placed tattoos ended up there. “Taine! Your girlfriend is here!”
“I’m almost done!” she heard him call back.
“You can wait over there. I’m Gypsy, by the way.”
“Leila,” she greeted, gesturing to her best friend. “Jazz.”
“Hey,” Jazz said absently. She was engrossed in the book she’d snatched from the counter. “Ooh, Lala, look! I think it would look great on my shoulder.”
“You want to get a tattoo?”
“Why not?”
“Do you want your kid to have one?”
“Of course not, are you crazy?”
“Then you shouldn’t get one. You can’t have double standards.”
“You’re no fun when you make sense,” Jazz grumbled, putting the book down.
“Also, you can’t get one while you’re pregnant.”
“Speaking of.” Jazz stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Are you and Taine being careful?”
In that moment, Leila realised that they hadn’t been using condoms, either. He was only the second man she’d allowed inside of her without protection.
What’s happened to me?!
“Ohmigod!” Jazz whispered fiercely. “Why are you breaking your rules for this man?”
“Calm down, everything’s fine. I’m not in my fertility window.”
“I’m really worried about you, Leila. Your life is—”
There was a commotion at the back of the shop, two men laughing boisterously at a joke while chairs scraped on the tiled floors. Leila glanced up to see Taine lead the way from behind the divider. His shirtless client followed more slowly. He had a huge, detailed tattoo of a snake on his chest, which appeared to slither down behind the waistband of his pants.
“You can settle the account with Dean,” Tartarus told the man. “It was good to see you again, man.” Then he walked to the beautiful woman standing on the other side of the counter. “This is a surprise.”
Leila smiled. “We were in the neighbourhood.”
“Look at you, all healed up,” he said, pleased, while he studied her feet. “How does it feel?”
“Really great.” She eyed him. “What’re we doing tonight?”
“Dinner, my place?”
“Perfect.”
“I’ll pick you up from your apartment as soon as I get off from work.” He checked his watch. “It should be around five-thirty. We can order Chinese.”
“And here I thought I was going to be spoiled again, but it seems that’s only for special occasions, like when I’m unable to help myself.”
Tartarus laughed and pulled her into his embrace for a quick kiss. “As much as I’d love to, I am really tired.”
“Understood.” Damn, maybe the lingerie was not such a good idea. “Are you sure you want to pick me up? I can always take a train or something.”
He held a finger to her mouth. “I’ll pick you up. I’m sure.”
“Okay, then, that’s settled!” She reluctantly stepped away. “See you later!”
Jazz glared at Taine as she exited the shop with Leila. “I still can’t believe you’re doing the nasty without protection.”
“Are you listening to yourself? You and Liam aren’t exempted, you know.”
“That’s different, we’ve been together for a long time. We decided to start trying, together.”
Leila struggled to hide how much that hurt. First her mother, now her best friend? What was going on?
“There is no set pace when it comes to love, Jazz. Everyone loves differently.”
Jazz let out a long breath. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“What do you have against him?”
“Nothing! I like Taine, and he’s good to you. I was just surprised, is all. You breaking your rules worries me.”
I’ve broken my rules for two men, but you don’t need to know that.
Thinking of the other man, Uri, made a lump form in Leila’s throat.
Jazz linked arms with her best friend. “Forgive me. The world is going through a stressful time and it’s reflecting on all of us.”
It’s about to get worse.
Startled by that dark train of thought, Leila changed the subject while they meandered back to her place. She wasn’t sure why the knot in her stomach wouldn’t subside.