by Rue Volley
“Layla?” she asked
“Yes. Well, her daughter, my goddaughter, is getting married and I’m the best man.”
“How did you swing that? How the hell is it you have a goddaughter?”
“Good genes. I told you I’m much older than I look.”
“Right, don’t think I haven’t noticed you always avoid that question.” She pointed at him
“Trust me. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
She rolled her eyes at his evasions
“As for the best man status, I’ve known her husband for quite some time. He’s a fair bit older than she is.”
“If his genes are anything as good as yours, that means he’s smoking hot.”
He frowned. The thought of her finding Yophiel attractive seemed distasteful
“Don’t scowl. You’re pretty to, D. Are you ever going to tell me your real name?”
He glanced away. “One day.” Sooner than either of us would like. “So, what do you say? Will you be my plus one?”
“Only you could deliver that line so eloquently.” She shook her head as she smiled
“Why do you say that?” he asked, eager to get a glimpse at her thoughts about him
“Seriously? You could put Professor Snape out of business with that voice. God, if I was a writer, I’d kill to have you narrate one of my books. You’re such a mix of old world and modern. I’ve never met anyone like you.”
“I’d wager you haven’t.” He smirked
She huffed and rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’ll be your date.”
“Excellent.”
“Where will the ceremony be held?”
“Some place very warm and not often seen.”
“An island?”
“You could say that.” D smiled
“You and your mysteries,” she grumbled. “But what will I wear?”
“I can help you with that. Would you like to take a trip with me?”
“I love going anywhere with you, D.”
Her gaze softened and his mouth went dry. Suddenly, he was an untried youth. He swallowed and cleared his throat. “I enjoy your company too.”
“That’s nice to know,” she whispered
He glanced down at her and she glanced up at him through the thick fringe of her dark lashes. He held out his hand. She took it and he marveled at the softness of her skin. She seemed so delicate. He felt like he should place a "handle with care" sticker on her person. Compared to him, she was but a glimmer in his brother’s eye, but his world had begun to revolve around her. “Close your eyes.” He took her to a boutique in the in-between, run by a witch he’d let slide by from the river Styx as a favor
When they entered her shop, the witch’s alabaster skin seemed to turn even whiter. Her brown eyes grew round and her ruby red lips formed an O. She straightened behind the counter and seemed to try to get her composure back
“Hello, Morgan,” D greeted her. “We’re in need of a gown.”
She glanced to his right at Dove. “Oh, of course. W-what’s the occasion?”
“A wedding. I believe they’ll be having a palate of dark colors. So, sticking along that same vein would be best.”
“Who’s your friend?”
“This is Dove.”
“Hi.” Dove smiled and waved. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Morgan returned with a sly smile
“I trust you will make sure she’s stunning and enjoys her time with you,” Death said while narrowing his eyes at her
Fear flickered in her hazel gaze. She had a way of forgetting herself. It’d been her downfall ages ago
He nodded, feeling pleased she understood the message
* * *
There was an undercurrent running between Morgan and D that Dove didn’t understand. It made her wonder once more who he was and why he could whisk her away to these places. She knew the planes of his face, the ever changing shades of his eyes, and his mannerisms better than anyone else, but she knew she’d never seen him before she fell victim to the coma. Maybe I dreamed him up? She was aware when people visited her and talked, but she couldn’t find her way back through the darkness
A part of her thought maybe she was better off this way. Here, she didn’t feel the pain, or have to see her face deteriorate a little bit more with every passing day. She’d known the battle had started to get away from her, but she continued to fight for her life. There was too much she’d never done and too many people who loved her. In the end, her will hadn’t been enough. She knew her parents would continue to keep her on life support until they got their much prayed for miracle or she passed peacefully. She’d made her peace with death…or so she thought. Sooner or later, everyone met their maker and she’d been allowed more time fighting for life than some—a loving family, a fulfilling career as an art teacher…at least until she got sick. Her stomach clenched at the memories and she shoved them away
This was the first time D had asked her to something so formal. The thought of a date with her tall, blue-eyed, gorgeous friend filled her with happiness
“Yes. I’ll make sure Dove has a good time and finds the perfect dress,” Morgan said. She stepped from behind the counter. Her black dress had a lace overlay that brushed the ground, and her dark curls seemed to almost glint beneath the track lighting on the ceiling. “Please come with me.” She had a mysterious vibe about her, much like D.
Dove followed her through the shop. Black walls with pink stripes set the tone for the flirty boutique. Black tables with colorful tablecloths and interesting displays showed everything from lingerie to rhinestone-studded jeans. At the back of the store, clothing became more formal. “You have a wide array of things,” Dove said
Morgan glanced over her shoulder and offered a smile. “I like to cater to a wide audience. You never know what someone will want, and we get all kinds in here.”
“Sounds exciting,” Dove said, daydreaming of the interaction she could have in the course of a day. She missed that the most
“Some days it can be. What do you do?”
“I used to teach art to high school kids. Now I’m between jobs.”
“Aahh, so you have a creative spark then.” She turned to the right. “I have some dresses I think will fit you perfectly. You’re, what, a size eight?”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“Magic.” Morgan walked through the store plucking dresses off the displays
The rich reds, burgundies, and blacks told her this would be a wedding unlike any she'd ever attended before. She watched the dress pile grow. “Do you think we really need that many?”
“You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince…same applies to the perfect outfit.”
Dove walked behind the miniature whirlwind, finding her energy contagious. “How do you know D?”
“D?” Morgan arched a delicate brow
“You know his real name.” Dove said, feeling excited
“You don’t?” Morgan whispered
“No, he refused to tell me.” Dove pouted. “Is it really that bad?”
“It’s one of a kind, that’s for sure.”
“You’re not going to tell me, are you?” Dove said
“No. He might be D to you, but to everyone else, he’s one bad ass mother.”
Dove frowned. “What does he do?”
“You should ask him that question,” Morgan replied evasively
“How did you meet him?” Dove asked
“He helped me out of a jam and got me set up here in the shop.”
The thought of D extending a helping hand gave her the warm fuzzies along with a stab of jealousy. “So, you guys dated?”
“What?” Morgan turned around so fast Dove thought she might’ve gotten whiplash. “No, nothing like that, ever. He and I don’t run in the same circles.”
“What circles are those?”
“Powerful ones.” Her voice grew cold and her eyes became shuttered. Whatever D was into made oth
ers fear him. So much for thinking he was my guardian angel. Dove nodded her head to acknowledge the clear boundary lines Morgan had set up
Morgan relaxed and smiled. “You ready to start trying some of these things on now?”
“I guess so. I don’t think I’ve ever worn anything this fancy. Not even for prom.”
“Oh, beautiful girl, we are going to have some fun. There’s a goodness in you that reminds me of someone I once knew. Pureness and light. The fair maiden all the men fell for with her long, flowing locks.”
Dove snorted. “Trust me, that’s not how my story went. I got friend-zoned frequently. Partially because I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy, and partially because I refused to take anyone’s shit or accept anything less than what I felt I was owed.”
“Oh, I like you. You’re a woman after my own heart.” Morgan smiled. A flicker of something akin to fire sparked to life in her eyes.
Dove stared at her gaze and, once again, wondered if this was her own personal Wonderland.
“Come, little Dove, let’s get you started.” She led her to an opulent area with black suede sitting chairs accented by hot pink skull pillows covered in rhinestones. A large tri-mirror sat behind a circular black platform. “Normally, I’d lead D back here, but I get the feeling he’ll enjoy being surprised.” She handed her a handful of dresses on hangers. “Try these four first.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Dove saluted.
Morgan laughed. “Keep up that attitude and I’ll put you to work here.”
Dove giggled as she walked into the fitting room. Closing the door, she hung the dresses and ran her hand down a black mermaid dress with a sweetheart neckline. The petal soft fabric was worth more than a month of teacher’s salary. She whistled. When you go out, you go all out, don’t you, D? Her mystery man had gone from comforter and confidant to the love of her life. Her cheeks grew hot. She hadn’t been an old maid by any means. She’d dated, but no one ever made her feel gooey inside, and sex had never been the mind-blowing event of legend her girlfriends spoke about. Then D had arrived in the landscape of her mind with his deep voice, cultured tone, and impeccable manners
What started as a crush on the man who’d quickly become her best friend had turned into more. There were times she thought he might feel it too, but she couldn’t risk what they had on a lark. So, she’d become a detective looking for clues and documenting suspect activity. This date could mean everything or nothing. Her stomach fluttered as she took off her dress and tried on the mermaid cut gown. An eternity later, they decided on a sleek, black, floor-length number with a lace top that had a nude underlay and thick black strips of fabric that flattered her figure with its unique pattern
“He’s not going to be able to take his eyes off you,” Morgan noted. “Spin again for me.”
“Is it that obvious?” Dove asked, embarrassed
“Oh, little bird, the electricity between you sizzles, and trust me when I say…it goes both ways. I’ve never seen him look so—domestic with anyone.” Morgan shook her head. “Trust me when I say it’s a big fucking deal.”
“Yeah?” Dove smiled. “So, you think I have a shot?”
“I think you have a sure bet.” Morgan winked. “Which is why we need to make sure what’s under your dress is just as dynamite.”
“Morgan—”
“Life’s too short to be coy. Besides, I would like to see D knocked on his ass.”
“Me too,” she muttered
Morgan laughed. “Oh, you do have it bad. Come on, let’s find something that’ll bring him to his knees.”
* * *
Dove later returned to D, armed for battle and determined to tell him how she felt. With a garment bag over her arm while carrying a bag of shoes and her secret weapon, she couldn’t help but grin
“I can see you took exceptional care of her, Morgan. Thank you.”
“Oh, she’s welcome anytime. Don’t be a stranger, little Dove.” Morgan winked
“Now I’m wondering if I’ll live to regret this,” D said dryly, then he looked over at Dove. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” She studied his eyes, getting lost in those cool blue depths
“And where would you like to go next?”
“Wherever you want to take me,” she whispered
Intimacy wrapped around them like an invisible bubble, isolating them from the present
“I think I know a place,” he said smoothly. He held out his hand and she took it.
They ended up in an English garden with the moon high above them
She took in the whimsical garden with white flowers in full bloom. Tiny white lights wound around branches, and attached to the same tree was a cradle-like swing. “It’s gorgeous.”
“I enjoy coming here when I need to clear my mind.”
“Thank you for sharing it with me.” She smiled up at him, hungry to know more about him
“You must know—you mean a lot to me.” His voice sounded strained. The hint of uncertainty in his tone made him seem vulnerable for the first time since she’d known him
She glanced up and studied his face in the moonlight. “I’d hoped.”
As their gazes locked, something shifted between them while the span of a few heartbeats passed
“Would you like to swing? I can push you.” He set her purchases on a nearby bench
“I’d like that a lot, D.”
He held the swing steady as she climbed inside and peered up at the stars. The wind blew her hair back and she allowed herself to dream. No words were spoken as they spent the evening silently enjoying their new beginning
Chapter Three
I can’t believe this. I’m actually nervous. Death studied himself in the mirror. He wore a tailored Armani tuxedo paired with leather dress shoes. He smoothed his hair back from his face, making sure every strand was in place. Today, he would put his cards on the table, tell her how he felt and who he was. He swallowed. It was a calculated risk, but if they were to move forward, it needed to be based on truth. Picking off an imaginary piece of lint, he forced himself to stop procrastinating. Tonight, the limbo ended one way or another. Truly, there was a first time for everything in the universe, as Death had found the one thing he was afraid of…rejection.
Pleasure was something he sought out without involving his emotions. What he’d developed with Dove surpassed all that. How ironic it took a bird to set me free. Pleased with his image, he transported himself into her mind. It was a tricky thing, moving her spirit about and making it corporeal, but he was no ordinary being. He appeared in front of what he knew was a mental replica of her townhouse. It was a two-story red brick building full of vintage charm and quirkiness, much like its owner
He knocked and forced his body to remain still. I refuse to fidget. The door opened and the air rushed from his lungs
Dove was stunning in a floor-length black gown that hugged her body in all the right places and hinted at more with the bodice done in nude fabric under black lace. Images of her curvy frame in nothing but lace made him salivate. “You’re a vision,” he whispered with awe
She smiled bashfully and tilted her head to the side. “You like it?”
“It’s exquisite. Please, turn.”
She did a slow three-sixty and he choked back a moan when he saw the plunging back. “I’ll have to keep an eye on you.”
“Maybe more than that.”
He blinked rapidly at her
“You are going to dance with me, aren’t you?”
“Ahh—yes, of course.” He cleared his throat and glanced away as he struggled to collect himself. “Are you ready to leave? We should get there a bit early since I’m the best man.”
“Yes.” She stepped out of the house and took his offered arm
They materialized in a large grotto made out of black volcanic rock. Rows of black chairs filled the space. In between the two sections there was a red carpet strewn with black rose petals. The arrangement of black and red flower balls on the ends of t
he chairs was impressive and fitting without screaming welcome to hell. He was impressed
“Wow. It’s beautiful.”
I assure you that’s not often said about this place. “Yes, the decorator truly should be commended. I saw the place before and it was quite different.”
“Well, now it looks like paradise. Is it okay that we’re here?”
“Yes, I’m not sure where the…dressing rooms are. Someone will come out shortly to get me and I’ll introduce you to Layla, if that’s okay.”
“Oh, yes. I’d love to meet her. Are you sure I won’t be intruding?”
“No, she’ll be thrilled. I’m not much for showing up at events like these and I never bring a date. You, my little one, will be a big deal.”
She laughed. “I love it when you use pop culture references.”
“What? I’m up on the times.”
“Sometimes, I swear you seem practically ancient.”
He paused and stared at her for a quiet moment
“You made it…who’s your friend?” The words rolled smoothly off Lucien’s tongue
Death bristled. Not his first choice for an introduction. “Lucien, this is my date, Dove…Dove, this is the father of the bride.”
“Are you kidding me?” Dove covered her mouth. “I’m sorry. Just—the genes around here should be bottled.”
Lucien smiled. “We are distantly related, so I suppose we’re swimming in the same gene pool.” He held out his hands. “It’s lovely to meet such a beautiful woman.”
“It’s nice to meet you too,” Dove said
Death glowered. The smugness radiated off Lucien like a stench. “Where’s your wife?” he asked
“With Heavenleigh doing the mother-daughter bonding.” Lucien scowled. “They kicked me out, can you believe that?”
Dove stifled a laugh and Death smirked. It was good seeing him remember part of who he’d been before the anger, bitterness, and self-pity took over. “Do you think we could take Dove to them? I don’t feel comfortable leaving her unattended.”
