by Bethany Shaw
Cadence had no idea of the dangers that lurked around during this time period, or the sights that they might see. She was a kind spirit. The famine, desperation, and other more grotesque things would wear on her. Getting Cadence out of the city before she saw something grisly was his top priority.
"Come on, we should be leaving." He took her hand in his. "We'll come back another time."
The smile fell from her face and she cast one last glance out at the city below them. Zak promised himself to bring her back as soon as the situation was resolved at home.
"Okay," she said hesitantly. "Are we finding a place to stay for the night?"
"No." Zak led her to the stairs. "We should keep moving tonight, we’ll rest when we reach the free zone."
"Free zone?"
"Paris is occupied by German soldiers. We should be on our way. You don't want to see Paris at this time. It isn't a good place." He didn't want to tarnish the view she had of it from yesterday by that of the war stricken city today.
As he took in her attire, he realized that they would have to get her something else to wear. While he loved the blue corset dress she was wearing, she would stick out like a sore thumb to anyone they met. "First we should find you some era appropriate clothes."
"How long until we get to Eli's?" she asked as they descended down the stairs.
"A day or two. It depends on how fast we move." He intended for them to move quickly. The sooner they reached a safer place, the better he would feel.
"And it is safe there?" she asked hesitantly.
"Nowhere in Europe is particularly safe at the moment. I would imagine Eli has compelled or otherwise inhibited anyone who may pose a threat.” He looked around before he led her away from the monument and down the empty street. "I figure we can stay with him for a month or so."
"We have a little over three months until we go home," Cadence said, looking at him. "I know it won't take us that long to sail across the ocean, right?"
"No, but finding a boat to take us could be problematic."
Chapter Five
Cadence didn't know what she had been expecting, but she should’ve known the home would be extravagant. This wasn't a home. It was more like a castle – a very large, fancy castle.
"Wow," she said after staring at the place for a few long moments.
"You should see my place in Yorkshire," Zak said in her ear, his closeness sending tingles down her spine.
She turned to him, eyebrow raising as a tiny smile crept over her face. "Do you always feel the need to one-up everyone?"
Zak smirked and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "I was simply stating that you would like it," he said innocently.
"Of course you were." She rolled her eyes.
"Do me a favor and stay behind me. Eli and I weren't exactly on the best of terms in this time," Zak said, looking over her. “We parted badly.”
She nodded and let him take the lead, wondering if there was a little more to the story that he might have left out.
"You told him you would be nice," she reminded him.
"I'm always nice, sweetheart."
"Right.”
"Just stay close, Cadence." Zak took a step towards the castle, his hand entwined with hers as he led her down the path. “I’m over it, but he might not be.”
“Why do I get the feeling there is more to the story that you haven’t told me?” she asked.
“It’s not worth bringing up,” Zak said. “Besides, we both let it go. At least we do in the future.”
Cadence bit her lip as they approached. Several groundskeepers peeked at them as they made their way to the front door. The door opened and Eli stepped over the threshold, his arms crossed and face unreadable.
"Zak?" Eli said as they approached. His eyes darted between the two of them, and he fisted his hands at his sides as if preparing to defend himself. Yeah, there was definitely more to the story.
"Hello, Brother." Zak smiled, stopping a few feet away from his sibling.
"I thought you were in London?" Eli asked. His eyes fell on their entwined hands as he studied them. His brow lifted, but he didn’t say anything else.
"I am." Zak chuckled, stopping several feet from the door and gently pulling Cadence so she stood next to him. "Invite us in, and I’ll tell you all about it."
Eli looked at him confused for a moment, his eyes shifting between them. "I don't fancy games, Zakariah. If you're here to fight, get on with it already. However, I would’ve thought you above bringing a witch to help you do your dirty work."
"I'm not here to fight with you, you have my word. It was you that sent us here. How else would I have found you?" Zak asked, still maintaining their distance.
Eli frowned.
"We're from the future," Cadence said quietly, hoping to move this along. It was freezing outside and she’d love nothing more than to get inside and snuggle under a blanket. Better yet, to take a steaming hot shower. "Liana sent us here. We need a safe place to stay until we can return home."
"My mother is dead," Eli said, his gaze falling on her.
"Yes, well, invite us in and we'll tell you all about it." Zak pulled her with him as he took another step toward the door.
Eli eyed them for a long moment before he opened the door further and motioned them in.
***
Cadence hadn't felt this refreshed in months. The hot shower had been wonderful; she'd almost forgotten how good it felt to stand under the steady warm spray of water. She wasn't sure where the cotton dress she was wearing had come from but was thankful to have something fresh and clean to put on. All she needed was a flat iron and some makeup, and she would be her normal self again.
Zak grinned at her as she finally emerged from the bathroom. He was lying lazily on the bed, having finished his shower before her. His eyes appraised her. "You look gorgeous, as always."
"You shaved." She pouted, immediately noticing the absence of his stubble.
"I didn't realize it would be a big deal."
"It's okay...I just...it's kind of sexy," she said shyly. Red crept over her cheeks at the admission. Why she was embarrassed was beyond her. She and Zak had been intimate for months now – hell, she’d dropped the L-bomb on him – but she still got cherry faced over a simple compliment.
Zak walked to her and pressed a kiss against her forehead. "I'll keep that in mind. Dinner? Eli’s had extra prepared for us."
Cadence bit her lip as she looked around the room. "So, this dinner...I’m assuming there’s actual food here, right?"
Zak laughed as he stood up. "Eli likes to indulge in cuisine more than any of my siblings. He has a full-time cook that prepares three meals a day." He clasped her hand with his. "Just because we don’t have to eat food doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy it. He’s like Melanie, only he doesn’t cook."
“Yum. Sounds like I’m in for a treat then,” she said, her belly rumbling with hunger.
Taking her arm, he led her out of the room and down the long corridor to the dining room. She couldn't help but let her eyes wander as they walked. They would be here for roughly a month, and she doubted she would be able to take in half the beauty of the home in that time.
The home was huge. She counted at least six other rooms on their walk, and that was just in this wing. A plush carpet runner covered the dark hardwood, and expensive-looking paintings lined the walls.
Eli greeted them at the end of the hallway. "Zak and Mrs. Hopewell."
"Call me Cadence, please," she said, not wanting him to be so formal with her for their entire stay.
"Right this way." He motioned them forward into the dining room.
One of the servants pulled out a chair for her. She sat down, pulling the napkin into her lap as she looked at the numerous forks, spoons, and knives in front of her. She suddenly felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, having no idea which one she was supposed to use.
"I hope you don't mind veal." Eli lifted his glass, taking a sip of his wine. "I assume both your
rooms are to your liking?"
"It's very nice, thank you." Cadence smiled at his politeness.
"We'll just be needing the one room, Brother." Zak reached out to take Cadence’s hand under the table.
Eli studied them for a long moment before bowing his head. "So, tell me, Cadence, is our family really reunited in the future?"
Cadence licked her lips, looking to Zak for a moment before turning her attention back to Eli. "You seem to be, yes. Zak and I weren't exactly friends before we were sent back in time, but I do know you were all living under the same roof."
She opened her mouth to say more, but Eli spoke up first.
"Thank you for answering my question. I shouldn't know too much about the future.” He picked up his fork and knife, cutting into his meat.
"I agree. We can’t disrupt the timeline any more than we already have.” Zak bowed his head. “It’s my understanding that we are not supposed to be here. We shall try to make our presence as scarce as possible.”
Eli sighed. "How long will the two of you be staying?"
Zak lifted his wine to his nose, smelling the aromatic liquid before taking a drink. "A month or so, if that’s all right with you. We will have to make the trip across the ocean to return to the United States. Finding our way could be problematic."
Cadence took a sip of her wine. Even with compulsion, there was still the chance of being stopped by a military vessel or, worse, rough seas. She shuddered at the thought.
"I may have a few connections to help you on your way," Eli said.
Zak nodded. “That would be much appreciated.”
“How scarce do you plan to make yourselves? I was wondering what I should tell my cook for meal preparations.” Eli glanced to Zak, then to Cadence.
Cadence shifted in her seat as she cut a piece of meat and took a bite. She chewed slowly, savoring the flavor.
“You can expect us for dinner most evenings,” Zak said. “We shall take our leave during the day. From what I’ve learned, your future self will suffer quite the headache when new memories are made. We shall do our best to limit our contact.”
“If I recommended you come to my home, then I must have been prepared for the consequences. I think I would much enjoy getting reacquainted with my younger brother and his charming young friend. The timeline has already been altered, hasn’t it?”
Cadence took another gulp of wine. It looked like she was going to get to know Eli too.
***
Zak landed on top of Cadence. She grimaced under his weight as he pinned her to the ground. The Earth was frozen solid, covered with a dusting of snow, and she shivered. She was getting better. To say he was proud of her was an understatement. Cadence could hold her own against him, evading him, blocking his strikes, or combining magic with combat to keep him at bay. She still always slipped up before she got to deliver a final blow to him.
She frowned as she met his eyes. Her gaze lowered to his protruding fangs angled at her neck. "I suck," she said as she tried to catch her breath.
He chuckled inwardly at her choice of words. "Cadence." His fangs retracted so he could kiss her. "I'm an experienced fighter, and a vampire. The fact that you can last ten minutes against me says that you don't suck. Do you remember what I told you?" he asked, shifting his weight so he wasn't crushing her. In all honesty, he was quite happy with their current position. When she didn’t answer, he reminded her, "You're a pretty face who looks innocent, but there is so much more to you. You will take people by surprise, and that will always be your advantage."
Zak pushed the hair out of her face. He grimaced as his fingers met warmth. The sticky substance beckoned him, causing his fangs to drop down again. “You’re hurt.” He hopped off her and hauled her to her feet, pulling her close to inspect the side of her head.
"I'm okay, Zak." She used her shirtsleeve to blot at the wound. "I want you to be rough with me." She smiled, looking up at him through her lashes.
He fought a smirk at the double meaning behind her statement.
She nudged his shoulder with her free hand. "I'm not going to break, and how am I going to learn if you always hold back? Malcolm and Liana won’t give me a break, and you shouldn't either."
"Malcolm isn't going to lay a finger on you," he said as he pulled her to him. He would die before he let Malcolm hurt her again. Even though he had promised to protect her, he worried that he wasn’t going to be able to keep her safe when the time came. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh, not wanting to think about that. "Let’s get you something to eat."
Cadence shook her head. “No. We still have another hour of sunlight. Let’s keep practicing.”
Zak opened his mouth to argue, but she shot him a stern look. He’d quickly learned there wasn’t much point in arguing with her when she set her mind to something. A little more practice wouldn’t hurt.
They set up again. Zak stood several feet away, waiting for her to take her position. She adjusted the collar on her jacket and locked her feet in place, giving him a nod to let him know she was ready.
Zak watched her for several minutes before he raced forward. Cadence caught him, lifting him in the air and shoving him backwards with her magic. He landed on his back but quickly flipped up to his feet, zigzagging back at her.
Cadence ducked to the right, sending a bolt of lightning careening in his direction. He hopped to the side, nearly missing it. A ball of fire whizzed in his direction. He rolled out of the way.
Another bolt of energy launched toward him, and he flattened himself on the ground. She’d already zapped him once. Her magic hurt, and he’d told her not to hold back. Even if he couldn’t die, but he still felt the pain. He didn’t want to get hit again.
He got to his feet and charged toward her. Cadence hit him with another blast square in the chest, knocking the breath out of his lungs. He fell to his knees, wheezing for air. Smoke billowed off his shirt and he smacked the fabric with his hands, quickly extinguishing the flame before it could really catch. She walked toward him with a ball of energy in one hand and fire in the other. His lungs refused to draw in a breath, and his knees wobbled as he tried to stand. He was beat.
Holding up a hand, he looked down to the ground.
Grinning, Cadence squeezed her hands into a fist. “You yielded? You’re not just being nice, are you?”
“Never,” he managed to get out. “Good job. Fight like that and you’ll send the whole damn coven running when we get home.”
***
"Ah, Cadence, where is Zak?" Eli asked as Cadence came inside the home. The warmth hit her and she breathed in a deep breath, letting the heat ebb away the numbness of her skin.
She shut the door behind her and gulped as she met Eli’s gaze. He sat in the living room with a book in his hands.
"Zak is just putting the horse away. He is right behind me," she said, moving toward the stairs. Yesterday they’d practiced all day; today they’d spent the day riding in the Swiss countryside. With the fresh layer of snow on the ground, the ride was peaceful – quite unlike the rest of the world at the moment. The views were breathtaking, and the trip was romantic and relaxing. They had stayed away from the cities, but she didn't mind it being just the two of them. "May I ask you a question, Cadence?" Eli asked, drawing her from her thoughts.
"Um, sure." She chewed on her lip. Eli hadn't spoken to her very much over the past week. Not since the first night they’d spent here.
"I haven't seen Zak behave like this since we were human," he said as he watched her. "My brother is very guarded and doesn’t take to strangers easily. You seem to be bringing out a side to him I haven’t seen in centuries. His heart is a lot more fragile than you may think, Cadence. Are your intentions pure?"
Cadence stifled the urge to laugh until she realized how serious he was. She swallowed, suddenly feeling how all her boyfriends must have felt when she brought them home to meet her father. "I’m in love with him,” she said, looking to the ground. “I know we should be enemies.
My coven is at war with your clan as we speak now. In the future you’re plotting against my coven. Things will be difficult when Zak and I return home, but I'm not going to walk away from him. I don't think I can."
"Zak is a good man, Cadence. I am glad you two found each other. He doesn't always make it easy to love him, but he has opened his heart to you. That is a rare thing for my brother, and I do hope you follow through with what you’ve said. You mean a great deal to him." His eyes darted to the door. "Perhaps we should finish this conversation another time."
"Okay." She smiled as she moved towards the stairs to head up to her and Zak's room. That was probably as close to a blessing as she was going to get from Eli. Was that what that was, a blessing? She had no idea, and didn’t want to dwell on it too much. It would probably only make her head hurt. A hot shower before dinner was just what she needed.
She found a fresh dress and headed into the bathroom. After turning on the water, she gave it a moment to warm up. Hopefully Eli didn’t mind that she showered multiple times a day. After months without the luxury, she was being indulgent.
The bedroom door creaked open and clicked shut. Cadence peeked out into the bedroom. Zak twisted the lock on the door and met her gaze through the open doorway.
She bit her lip. Heat blazed to her core, and she shuddered. It didn’t matter how many times they made love, she would never get enough of Zak. Slowly she started to undress, knowing his eyes were still watching her.
"Are you going to join me?" she asked as he began to unbutton his shirt. He discarded the garment in a heap on the floor.
She sucked in a breath, admiring his chiseled chest. Before she could blink, she was pressed against the cool tiles of the shower. The steaming water rained down on them, further heating the inferno burning inside her. His warm lips pressed against her shoulder, kissing her exposed skin. She wrapped her arms around him and trailed her fingers up and down his slick back, loving the way the muscles felt as she rubbed them. Zak slid two fingers into her and she gasped, panting as he took one breast into his mouth.
