Iwas too stunned to speak.
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting when I thought about their summer city, but certainly not something as big and beautiful. Everything was built with a sandy white stone, and every door, window, and shutters were handpainted in various colors. There was also some sort of closed citywithinthe city, and this was where Filbur was leading me toward.
“What isthis?” I asked as we walked through the large open gates.
“City center. This is where our house is. Where the healing center I am working in is.”
Although all the houses and buildings we already passed looked absolutely stunning, it was even more beautiful as we moved forward. Fountains. Shops. Restaurants. And, as we kept walking, what looked likemansions.
“Our home is directly on the beach,” he explained as we took a turn and climbed some stairs, hidden between two large houses. At the top, he stopped and grinned, bringing my hand to his mouth. “I am happy you are here.”
I cupped his face and smiled when he leaned into my touch. “I’m happy to be here too.” For thispeacehe was offering me. The quiet and the affection I had been craving all my life.
He pushed the door open and circled my waist with his arm to lead me inside, closing the door softly behind us. The room was mostly dark—after all, the sun was nearly setting. It took Filbur about ten minutes to turn on all the lights, pouring some thick liquid in and, using some strange stones, sending a spark to light them.
“I will turn on the generators, but they have been powered off for months and they will need daylight to recharge,” he explained. “By tomorrow night, we will have more light.”
I walked closer until I could nestle in his arms. “It’s cozy, I like it.”
He looked at me, a mix of confusion and amusement on his face. “Cozy?”
I searched for words that would describe the feeling best. “Warm. Comfortable,” I said. “Relaxing. I like soft lights.”
He smiled. “You did spend an unhealthy amount of time looking at the hanging lights every time we sat down to eat.”
I certainly did. They soothed me when I was feeling anxious, somehow. I didn’t like when the lights were too bright.
“I will make sure to light the ones hanging outside every night for you,” he said, dropping a soft kiss on my forehead. “So you can enjoy the beach at night if you want to.”
“If I want to? I’ve been dreaming about that beach forweeks.”
His grin widened and he stepped away, pulling me with him past what looked like a large living room and stopped in front ofa glassless window. I breathed in the slight breeze and took in the sight.
“Wow,” I whispered. The sun was setting on the sea, coloring the water and the sky in warm orange and pink. We were on the second floor and, as he promised, the beach was just below. “Is downstairs yours too?”
“Ours, and yes. Our washroom is on the first floor, as well as the main living room, our kitchen, and a couple sleeping rooms.”
I arched a brow. “Why is this house so big?”
His cheeks turned slightly purple. “I settled here after I agreed I would be the one to take a human partner. I thought…children would need the space.”
Children. Heat rose to my cheeks. My chest. Spread to my lower stomach and between my legs.
Right. This wasalsoabout making babies. Saving the Cancos and all the other species from extinction.
I had been sheltered and kept in the dark about sex all my life. But Filbur had beenmorethan happy to read the book with me. To explain to me what some things meant. Toshowme what I had missed.
Two weeks ago, the mere idea of sex terrified me.
Not anymore.
I slid a hand along his chest, looking up to gaze into his bright eyes. “Shall we get to it, then?” I asked, trying my best to sound confident although I couldn’t help the embarrassment from coloring my cheeks.
His eyes darted between mine. “Are you not still in pain from—”
“I’mfine,” I grumbled, grabbing his long necklace to pull him with me toward the center of the room. “No more pain, no more bleeding. Where’s the bedroom?”
He blinked, confused. “Thebedroom?”
