“Oh, like that’s going to hurt you any,” he replied, and she laughed as he leaned over and kissed her. She took his hand and told him she loved him. “I love you, too. Now, eat.”
She laughed. “Yes, sir.”
Mickala had just finished when there was a knock on the door, and Aiden moved her plate before going to open it. “You must be Mr. Callahan. I’m Aiden Miller,” he said, and they shook hands before Aiden invited him in.
Mr. Callahan took a seat on the couch next to Mickala’s chair, and they shook hands. “It’s nice to see you again, Miss. Clarkson.”
She shook her head. “Please, call me Mickala.”
“Only if you’ll call me David,” he replied with a grin.
She laughed. “All right, deal.”
David reached for the long canister he’d had strapped across his back, then unscrewed the top. He pulled out an enormous set of plans and unrolled them across the coffee table. Wincing at the pulling in her back, she sat up with Aiden’s help so she could see. “I think I got everything you said you wanted,” he said proudly, walking her through, level by level, from the basement, the ground floor, then a second story. It was an eight bedroom, ten bath home with a library, a huge rec room and a second living area in the basement with two full bedrooms, then the ground level had another living room and den, her library, a huge kitchen with a cooking island and another guest bedroom. Upstairs were two more bedrooms and another small living area.
The master was in its own separate wing with a large sitting area, a two-sided fireplace shared with a private garden outside, plus its own patio that connected with the rest of the lanai for the pool area. The bathroom had a block shower just like her old one, a large jetted soaking tub, which looked out onto the private garden, then two enormous closets. Hers even had its own dressing area with mirrors.
Mickala’s face lit up in a huge grin. “This is fantastic, David!”
“Really?”
“Really. I love it, and you’re not allowed to change a thing,” she said with a shake of her head. “This is beyond perfect. How soon can you start?”
“Well, I’ve already got my usual crews on standby, and I’ve got the building permits and everything, so I’m pretty sure we can start first thing Monday morning.”
She laid a hand on his arm. “You truly don’t know how much this means to me.” She asked Aiden if he could get her checkbook out of her wallet, and she wrote him a check for two hundred thousand right then. “When you need more, please let me know.”
“Are you kidding?” he asked, holding it up. “This is a great start.”
“About how long do you think it’ll take?” Aiden asked, sitting on the arm of Mickala’s chair.
David’s face grew thoughtful. “The basement and the framing for the exterior will probably take the longest, since we’re actually digging the basement out. That’ll probably take three months, maybe two and a half. Once we get the outside walls up, however, and we start working on the inside, I can have three or four crews working at the same time. Altogether, it’ll be probably be about five or six months. Now, that’s an extremely rough estimate, so I won’t swear on it.”
She nodded. “That’s about what I thought, anyway. I can’t thank you enough for everything.”
He smiled and shook his head before getting to his feet and shaking her hand. “You’ll be hearing from me soon,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to it,” she said.
Aiden showed him out, and Mickala got to her feet, massaging her knee. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I think I’ve been laying or sitting too much.”
“You want to get out?” he asked, and her grin was answer enough. “Well, let’s go!”
* * *
They spent the entire afternoon walking around, his arm around her shoulders. They went to the mall, and Mickala ended up getting something from every store. By the time they left, Mickala’s wardrobe was well on the way to being replenished, almost buying out Hot Topic and Spencer’s. It took some rearranging, but they got everything in the Lexus and they headed back to the hotel. By the time they got everything up and situated, Ian, Nehela, Chad, Philip, and EJ were over, and they helped get the decorations Aiden and Mickala had bought where they wanted them.
“Oh, and they’re going to start the rebuilding on Monday,” she told them.
“Really?” Ian asked, his eyebrows going up.
She laughed at his excitement, and Chad feigned hurt. “What? You guys are ready to leave already?”
Nehela smiled. “Don’t get me wrong, you’ve been amazing hosts, but we miss our family.”
Philip grinned. “We understand. How long did he say it would take?”
“Probably about six months, maybe longer,” Mickala replied.
The weekend flew by, and she almost dreaded going back to school on Monday. Her fears were well-placed as they mobbed her almost as soon as she walked in through the main door. Then, she was late to every single one of her classes because they stopped her so many times.
Mr. Thomas called her into the office when she finally made it to concert band. “I’m so glad to see you up and walking again,” he said warmly.
“Thanks. It feels good to be mobile again,” she said.
“I’m sorry to hear about Victor, Mickala,” he said, and she heard his sincerity. She nodded in reply, and he asked if she was rebuilding.
“Yes, sir. The contractor’s supposed to be starting today.”
He nodded. “I’m not surprised. If you never need to talk, the door to my office is always open, Princess.”
Her mouth fell open, and she laughed. “Solarian or Elagonian?”
He smiled. “I was a Bard on Elagon.”
Her mouth dropped. “You’re an Original?”
“Yes, your Highness. I lived through Ciera both times, then Angel resetting time.” Mickala stood and bowed out of respect of his experience and age, and he stood and returned it with a formal Solarian bow. He saw Aiden throwing worried glances toward the door, and he smiled. “He’s been so concerned about you. Should you ever decide to return to Solaris, he would make a great Consort.”
She smiled faintly. “He would make a great Prince, then King,” she said.
“He’s Connected with a Delling?” he asked, an eyebrow raised.
She nodded. “Over the summer.”
“That’s incredible. A Delling hasn’t connected with a non-Solarian before or after King Sathe and Freya, and Aiden isn’t from either planet? It must be an extraordinary bond.”
Mickala nodded. “He’s for me what Grandfather was for Grandmother, what Father was for Mom.”
“Then, you’re blessed, Princess, and I wish you two all the luck and happiness in the world.”
Time seemed to fly by as they all settled into a routine of school and the company for Mickala as she began trying to settle into her new role of CEO, but with Gary at her side, she was slowly adjusting. Every day, she and Aiden went to check on the Dellings, and Adelaide was beyond thrill to have to her back. As soon as her knee and ankle braces came off, they went for rides every day.
The house was going up quickly, and within two months, the basement had been dug out and framed, then they started working on the outside. Mickala couldn’t believe how fast it was coming together.
Twenty One
Confessions and Going Home
At the end of April, they had their senior prom, and even though it took some fast talking, they convinced Ian to go. They were at Mickala and Aiden’s apartment, and Aiden and Ian were waiting in the living room. Nehela and Mickala were behind the closed double doors to the bedroom, where they’d closeted themselves up almost two hours ago. They had spent the earlier part of the day down in the Clarkson’s spa, getting their hair, nails and feet done. Ian was obviously uncomfortable in his suit and tie, and he kept looking at the clock and blowing out heavy sighs. Finally, the doors opened, and the girls came out, their arms linked.
Nehela was in a flowing pale green gown that was long-sleeved, but backless, and the long skirt gathered in the back to form a small train, and there were crystals scattered along the dress, catching the light. Ian couldn’t look away from her, but Aiden only had eyes for Mickala. She looked every inch of a royal princess in a dark blue gown that was form fitting with thin straps crisscrossing across her back into a sleeveless front with beading and crystals across her chest and stomach, and there was a slit in the dress to her hip. Dark blue gloves ended in a point over the back of her hands, and she had on six-inch heels with straps around the ankles with diamonds and sapphires dangling. Her hair was half up, the top part braided intricately into a crown-like form, holding two diamond and sapphire combs side by side to create something like a tiara, and the bottom half was perfectly spiral-curled and hung over her shoulder and down her back. She also had diamond drop earrings and a thin bracelet. An exquisite diamond necklace with a four-cornered star made of sapphires rested on her collarbones to complete the look.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered. Ian could only nod his agreement, still staring at Nehela.
Both girls smiled, getting their clutches off the table. “You guys want to eat first, or do you want to eat later?” Mickala asked. There was silence, and they both laughed. “Objective achieved.”
The guys could finally stammer out they wanted to eat first, so they went out through the lobby, and the girls turned every head in the room. A stretch Escalade was waiting for them outside, and the driver opened the door for them. They told him what restaurant they wanted, and the head turning continued as they sat down to eat. They took about an hour to eat, then they went back to the limo and headed to their prom.
* * *
She had a ball, and she and Nehela ended up dancing to everything played. Ian even swallowed his pride long enough to dance with Nehela during several songs. They took what seemed like a million pictures with everyone they knew, then they went and did the professional photos, taking group and couple shots. Once they finished, they dragged their guys back out onto the dancefloor. Aiden went willingly enough, and even though Ian made a few faces, they could tell the demon was enjoying himself.
Eventually, it was time for their senior lead-out, then afterwards they all gathered for them to announce the Prom King and Queen, which turned out to be Aiden and Nehela. Mickala laughed as he looked at her. “Go on,” she said with a gentle push. “It’s not like it’s Kira or something. It’s just Nehela.”
He grinned. “You’re right,” he said, then kissed her in such a way she was ready to bail on the party and head back to the hotel.
Ian came up to her as they crowned and sashed their partners before taking a few pictures. “May I have this dance?” he asked, giving a low bow. “Since our other halves are otherwise occupied?”
She smiled, giving him a curtsy. “Of course you may,” she replied.
Her arms went around his shoulders, and his hands were light on her waist. “I have to say, Mickala. I think this is the happiest I’ve seen you since we’ve met.”
She laughed. “It almost feels that way. Certainly since Victor died. I could say the same for you, however. Nehela seems to have worked quite a change in you.”
He laughed, then grew serious. “I look at what you and Aiden have, and I want nothing less than that.”
Mickala smiled. “What makes you think you don’t already? Nehela loves you just as much as I love Aiden, and I know you love her very much. You just have to let that last wall fall, and it’s close, Ian. I can tell in your eyes, every time you look at her.” She shook her head. “No, Ian. Never doubt it. You already have everything Aiden and I do.”
The song ended, and he bowed again as Aiden and Nehela came up to them. Ian took Nehela’s hands and pulled her out onto the dance floor, her eyes wide with surprise. Mickala laughed, dancing with Aiden. For one night, she could forget about everything: Solaris, being a demon, being royal, and she even forgot about Victor.
She dropped everything but being seventeen and having fun with her friends. She danced in such a way, she would’ve put Beyonce and Rihanna to shame, dropping low and bringing it up slow, Aiden right behind her. One of her friends laughed. “And that’s why you’re the captain of the best dance team in Georgia!” Mickala was so glad she’d ditched her back brace for this one night.
* * *
Finally, the dance began breaking up around 1:30 in the morning, and she, Aiden, Nehela, Ian, Chad and Philip, and a few other people came back to the hotel with her. Mickala broke open the minibar while Ian turned on the radio, and the party continued into almost dawn. Eventually, it was just the four of them, and Nehela gave Ian a very pointed look and said she was ready to go to bed. “I thought you said you weren’t tired?” he asked, totally oblivious to what she had in mind.
“I’m not,” she replied.
“So, why do you want to go to bed?” he asked. Nehela continued to stare at him. His face reddened as he finally realized what she was talking about. “Oh! Um, okay?”
She took his hand, pulling him to his feet easily, and they both said good night. Mickala and Aiden laughed their good nights. When the door closed behind them, Aiden chuckled. “I hope Nehela goes easy on him.”
Mickala grinned. “The way she was looking at him? I wouldn’t count on it.”
They were both sitting on the couch, looking at TV, and she was leaning back against his chest, his arms around her. She looked up at him. “Did you have fun?” she asked.
He smiled. “Actually, I really did. And you looked like you were so happy.”
“I really was. It was so wonderful to think and act like any other seventeen-year-old. There weren’t any worries about being attacked, I didn’t worry about anything but dancing and having fun with my friends.”
He kissed the top of her head. “That’s how we’re supposed to live, Mickala,” he reminded her gently.
She sat up and turned to face him, an eyebrow raised. “You know, you really look hot in that tux.”
He just laughed. “And you’re sexy as well in that dress.”
She grabbed his jackets, then pulled him to her, kissing him thoroughly, and her eyes were dark when she pulled away. He helped her to her feet, then spun her around before moving her hair and slowly unzipped the back of her dress, his lips on her neck and shoulders. Once he finished, she turned back around and let her dress fall to the floor with a whisper of fabric.
He swore softly. Mickala had regained her weight, and her curves had returned, and he couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. She took his hand and led him into the bedroom, then pushed him firmly onto the bed. Somehow, and he couldn’t remember exactly how or when, he’d lost most of his own clothes on the way. She straddled his lap, her hair still up, but the loose part fell around them, her jewelry glittering like stars in the faint light. His hands circled her waist, and she bent down to kiss him fiercely.
She heard his low gasp as she shifted her hips slightly, and she gave a low laugh as she leaned back, her fingertips trailing down his chest and stomach. She shook her hair out of her face and began gently rocking back and forth, her eyes glued to his. Several minutes later, he rolled her over onto her back, and they were covered in sweat and exhausted by the time they finished. He laid his head on her chest, and she ran her fingers through his long black hair as she stared out the large windows, an easy smile on her face. She looked down at his quiet laugh. “What’s funny?”
He laughed again as he glanced up at her. “Our heartbeats are the same. I thought that was just a myth.”
She just smiled, and he pulled himself up to kiss her. “I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you, too,” he replied, and it didn’t take long for them to fall asleep.
Mickala woke up the next morning, and her back was screaming at her. She gave a low groan, and Aiden was by her side. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing I didn’t expect. My back is giving me hell for leaving the brace off l
ast night,” she said. With his help, she stood and hobbled into the bathroom where she took a long, hot shower, which took out the worst of the pain. When she got out, Aiden was waiting with the IcyHot and her brace. Once he got her right, they both got dressed for the day, hanging up the dress and tux from where they’d left them on the floor. “Have you talked to Ian or Nehela?” she asked.
“Not yet,” he said, then grinned. “They both have blocks up.”
Mickala laughed. “Good for them. So, what’s the game plan today?”
He shrugged. “Actually, I just thought we could relax and watch TV.”
* * *
It was almost two when Mickala’s phone rang with a text message. It was from David, asking if she was busy. She text back she wasn’t, then asked if everything was okay. She stared at the answering text. It’s done.
She sat straight up, then called him. David picked up before the second ring. “Good afternoon, Mickala,” he said with a laugh.
“You said it’s finished?” she asked, and Aiden raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, ma’am, except for finishing up the landscaping, and that should only take a couple of days.”
“Are you there now?” she asked, and he said he was. “I’ll be there in half an hour.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said, and they hung up.
Mickala jumped to her feet, and Aiden asked what was wrong. “Absolutely nothing.” She grinned, grabbing his hand. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“Home. That was David. He finished the house!”
“I didn’t think it would be this early,” he said, smiling at her excitement. They left a note on Ian and Nehela’s door two floors down, explaining where they were, then they got in the Corvette, and Mickala flew through the traffic.
The gate was open, and she went up the winding driveway slowly. Both of their mouths fell opened when they got the end. The house stood completed before them, and every single light was on, brilliant against an overcast sky. David was waiting outside the garage, and he shook their hands when they got out the car. “It’s really done? So soon?” she asked, unable to take her eyes off her creation.
Releasing the Demons: Solarian Chronicles II Page 19
