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“All right,” I said softly, agreeing to more than just leaving his secret alone, but also to giving us a chance, to trust him not to break my heart. To loving him. Building a life with him.
My heart felt as though it grew with how full and warm and happy I was. I smiled so big and so wide that my cheeks ached.
Zaide didn’t reply with words, seeming as lost in my eyes and I was in his, but his answering smile was soft and wistful. I lifted my left hand to run down his face, my thumb tracking the thin purple scar under his eye, down to his neck.
Cupping his jaw, I brushed my thumb over his lips. Plump, dusk-colored lips that were suddenly the most interesting things. His lips parted, and mine instinctively followed suit. I pulled my gaze back to his and saw the desire, the passion, the affection glittering, pulsing in a color so familiar, so like my own.
Leaning close, I tilted my head up, pulled his face down to me, and gently pressed my lips against his. But I stopped, suddenly unsure. Sensing my unease, Zaide ran his hands over my arms, down my back, and to my face in slow, soothing movements.
With our lips barely touching, we breathed each other in. The rough pads of his fingers grazed my skin, causing both comfort and arousal to sweep over me. I could smell the minty toothpaste on his breath and the fruity scent of his long, drying hair. The heat of his body warmed me, and I heard his unsteady breaths.
Realizing I wasn’t alone in my nervousness, I offered him the same comfort, running my right hand over his chiseled chest and broad shoulder while my left hand still cupped his face and gently moved him closer.
At the first brush of soft lips, I moaned, and my tongue peeked out to stroke his lips. Then I was no longer in control of the kiss. Zaide growled, a sound which made me clench my legs together as arousal flooded me.
He pulled me tightly against him, leaving no room between our bodies. His hands were firm and strong as he held me in place against him. He tilted my head and deepened the kiss, our tongues gliding past each other, with each other, in a dance that set my body on fire. I knew I wasn’t the only one affected; his arousal was a hard bulge against my hip. I whimpered.
He smiled at the sound, his warm breath tickling my skin, and gentled his lips. His kisses becoming pecks that worked their way from the edge of my lips, to my cheeks, both sides, my nose, and finally, my forehead. With our eyes still closed, I snuggled back into his chest, and he nuzzled my hair. We stopped that way for a few more peaceful moments together before he broke the silence.
“Come, Little Cat, we must do something productive with our time, or Charlie will scold us when he returns. He can’t be the only one working hard.”
I sighed and nuzzled his chest. It was safe there. I could pretend everything was right with the world. “But I really like doing this,” I whined.
“I think we should practice changing your shape.”
I furrowed my brow and pouted. “That doesn’t sound like a good idea.”
“Why not? You need to practice.”
“What if I get stuck?”
“Then I will have Charlie scream until you turn back.”
I laughed. “You don’t need to say that as threatening as you do. He’d scream without incentive.”
“Ah, but that wouldn’t be as much fun, Little Cat.” He chuckled, and I loved to hear the sound vibrating in his chest.
“Okay.” I heaved myself off his lap and stood in front of him. “How are we going to practice when I don’t know how to do it?”
He smiled and tapped the sofa. “Lie down on here and close your eyes.” I did so, wiggling to get comfortable. “I want you to focus on your breath—”
My eyes popped open. “I’m going to meditate into a cat?”
He waved his hand over my eyes, shutting them. “Don’t interrupt, Little Cat. But yes, you have magic, probably some of the magic from when we were a whole titan. You just need to access it. You stirred it with your anger yesterday, but perhaps in focusing, you will find the magic within and bring your cat form forth. With practice, you’ll be able to do it faster.”
I opened my eyes again to look at him. “How do you know how to do this?”
He shrugged. “Many other realms practice this in some way or another, and I enjoy spiritual pursuits. Now, close your eyes and start again.”
I took a deep breath and then focused on my breathing. I concentrated on how the air pulled in through my nose and out through my mouth, the brush of the wind tickling my lips. I followed its journey to my lungs, where I could feel them inflating and deflating, moving my ribs, removing the carbon dioxide and adding oxygen to the blood that circulated throughout my whole body.
“Within you, there is magic. It will help you transform. Find it, Clawdia.” Zaide’s voice was distant and hypnotic.
I traveled along the veins and vessels and lines, searching, until I saw something glinting in the darkness. I moved closer to the sparkly thing and realized it was magic, purple and shimmering. I watched, entranced, as it unfurled in front of me, as though my presence affected it. Following the same vessels that I did, it spread across my body, and I felt its power and strength flood my sensations.
I gasped, unsettled.
“It’s okay, Clawdia. It’s yours. It knows what you want.”
