Sweet Reckoning

by Higgins, Wendy

  “I can’t believe this is happening,” I whispered to Marna, feeling shy and shaky again.

  “I know!” She let out a squee and linked her arm through mine. I clung tight.

  Only Marna could be thrilled for me when her own situation was so grim.

  Outside was loud with the sounds of prop planes. We were led to a beautiful white jet, bigger than what I’d envisioned. I should have known Blake wouldn’t settle for one of those rickety things.

  “Have a nice flight,” said the airport personnel as we climbed the jet’s narrow steps.

  I took one last look for peeping spirits before the door swung up and sealed shut behind us. I closed my eyes, waiting for doubt to creep in about what we were about to do, but I felt only excitement and sureness. I could only hope Kaidan felt the same. His face would tell me the truth.

  I wasn’t sure what I was expecting when I opened my eyes, but the inside of the jet was even more gorgeous than the mini yacht we’d taken to Melchom’s island two weeks prior. That horrid night felt like eons ago. Life had continued, moving us along at top speed.

  I stood in the aisle and absently ran my hands over the soft leather seat backs, losing myself in the poshness as the twins moved ahead of me. The plane seated six, with three rows of cream seats on each side. The back half of the plane was a lounging area with a big television screen and mini bar. Ginger crashed into a window seat and closed her eyes. My trance was broken then, leaving one thing on my mind.

  Kaidan.

  He lounged on a bench seat in the rear of the plane, leaning back with one hand behind his head. His red starburst badge pulsed wildly as he looked me over, and I stood at the edge of the seats, holding my breath. Only a few feet separated us, but I was frozen in place.

  He didn’t look scared or doubtful, that was for certain. He looked like he wanted me, which sent my pulse into a frenzy.

  Kaidan lifted two fingers and beckoned me closer. Marna, who’d taken a seat across from him, cleared her throat and stood, moving past me with a smile and flopping into the seat next to her sister, facing away from us.

  I moved nearer until my knees were touching Kaidan’s and I was looking down at him. My heart threatened to dance right out of my chest.

  “Hey,” I managed.

  “Hey, yourself.” His melty voice and darkened bedroom eyes were not helping to calm my pulse any. “You’re stunning. I feel like a slob.”

  He was wearing the same low cargo shorts, fitted T-shirt, and skater shoes he’d been wearing all day.

  I felt like useless warm putty when I said, “You always look good.”

  Ginger made a barfing noise behind me, and Marna shushed her. Kaidan took my hips, pulling me to sit next to him. I lifted my hair from my neck, feeling too warm, and my hand shook.

  Kai lifted my hand to kiss my palm, then signed to me. Don’t be nervous.

  I forced myself to meet his eyes, but he looked so serious that I had to look down again. I couldn’t stop being nervous. He pulled me close and I climbed onto his lap, burying my face in the crook of his neck. His hand stroked the length of my hair and down the silky material at my lower back.

  “Are you sure about this?” I whispered against his warm skin.

  Without pausing, he whispered back, “I am. Are you?”

  “Yes.”

  We stayed like that, his arm around me and my face in his neck until Blake said it was time to buckle up and get ready for takeoff. Kaidan and I took our seats across from the twins.

  It was slightly unnerving to know that wheelie-popping Blake was about to fly our plane. But he looked focused and mature sitting up at the gears with the small doorway opened for us to see. I caught Ginger leaning into the aisle and gazing at him as he worked.

  Blake said something into his mouthpiece then gave us the thumbs-up, and I felt us push back from the gate. I said a prayer as we lifted. It was the smoothest takeoff I’d ever experienced. Kaidan raised his eyebrows, impressed.

  When we leveled out, Marna stood and went into the small server alley, making drinks for everyone. Nobody had alcohol. I knew they probably wanted it, but they were being thoughtful about not displaying my temptation in front of me. Or maybe they were worried because I looked nervous enough to drink the whole bar myself.

  I nearly choked on my Coke when Blake stood up from the pilot’s seat and walked back to us, making Marna scream, “What are you doing? You have to fly the plane!”

  Blake laughed. “It’s all good! I got this baby on autopilot. Don’t your pilots ever come out of the pit?”

  Marna frowned. “They have copilots, so even when someone gets up, the cockpit’s never empty.”

  “Chill. It’s under control. Everyone up,” Blake announced. “Time to have us a wedding.”

  My stomach wobbled.

  Marna cheered. I loved that girl.

  I stood, never letting go of Kaidan’s hand, and for the first time I wondered how exactly this wedding was going to go.

  “I didn’t prepare any vows or anything,” I said. “I guess we’re just winging it?”

  Kaidan appeared as clueless as me, and a little nervous now.

  “I got you covered.” Blake grinned, pulling out a piece of paper and clearing his throat. “Just call me Reverend Blake.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Ginger snatched the paper from his hand, scanning it and then bending at the waist to laugh.

  Kaidan took it and we read together. Sure enough, Blake had been ordained. Online. Technically the marriage wouldn’t be legal since we hadn’t applied for a marriage license or anything like that. We couldn’t leave a paper trail, but the marriage would be valid in all the ways that counted.

  “A half-demon minister,” Kaidan said. “That has to be a first.”

  “Yup. And I’ve got the traditional vows here. I thought that’s what you’d probably want.” He looked at me and I reached forward, pulling him into a hug. I will not cry, I chanted to myself.

  “Thank you, Blake,” I told him. “You thought of everything.”

  It was miraculous how fast it all had come together. Like it was meant to be.

  I let him go, trying not to get emotional, but—GAH!—this was really happening! We all moved to the open area in the back. It was still a snug fit, so the twins sat while Kaidan and I held hands facing Blake, who was wearing a silly mock-serious look on his face.

  “Dearly beloved,” he said in a booming voice.

  We all burst out laughing. It must have been nerves because all five of us laughed way too long, and it took several minutes to get ourselves together again. Now that the tension was broken, we all began to calm.

  Blake turned his attention back to Kaidan and me.

  “All right, for real this time.” He looked at Kaidan. “Keep your eyes on Anna and repeat after me. You ready?”

  Kaidan ran his hands through his hair and blew out a breath before taking my hands again. I rocked back on my heels a little when he held me with his most intense stare. He nodded, and Blake told him what to say. Kai’s voice was rich and velvety as he repeated the vows, punctuating each word with a passion I felt down to my toes.

  “I, Kaidan, take you, Anna, to be my wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health . . . till death do us part.”

  He whispered the last promise with pain in his voice, and I let the silent tears I’d been holding back slip down my cheeks. He wasn’t just repeating the words. He meant them. This was real. No one could ever take this moment from us. I swallowed, and before I could wipe my cheeks, Kaidan was wiping them for me.

  “No tears,” he whispered.

  Deep breath.

  I nodded and took his hands again. It was my turn. I took a few more breaths before saying my vows with all my heart, trying not to cry.

  “I, Anna, take you, Kaidan, to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in
sickness and health. Until death do us part.”

  His eyes were a soft blue as he watched me in wonder, his warm thumbs running back and forth over my hands. I smiled, and when he smiled back at me, I’d never felt such pure joy.

  “Time for the rings,” Blake said.

  Rings! “Oh,” I began, “I didn’t—”

  But Kaidan surprised me, reaching into his pocket.

  “This is what I did during my three hours,” he said quietly. He looked almost bashful and hesitant as he pulled out a platinum men’s band with black tribal markings—something that a rocker boy would totally wear. Next he brought out a platinum women’s band that appeared woven with vines, studded with a small round emerald. Gorgeous and delicate. It didn’t look like a traditional wedding ring, which was smart of him.

  “I figured we’d have to wear these on our opposite hands after today,” he explained, “and since it’s our secret, I decided on your birthstone instead of a diamond. I had to guess your ring size. You have small hands.”

  “I love it.” I beamed and he gave me a relieved grin.

  He handed me the heavy men’s band.

  “Kai, you first,” Blake said.

  Kaidan slid the ring onto my finger and held it there. It fit perfectly.

  In a low voice he repeated after Blake, “With this ring, I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.”

  At that point the moisture from my eyes was gone and I couldn’t stop smiling. I put Kaidan’s ring on his finger and said, “With this ring, I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.”

  We clasped hands again. The plane was quiet except for the buzz of the engine. We looked at Blake.

  “Well, you know what they say, guys. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”

  Or demon, I thought.

  I felt Kaidan watching me, and I soaked in the moment.

  Blake clapped Kaidan on the shoulder. “Here’s the good part. You may now kiss your bride.”

  “’Bout time,” Kaidan said. He leaned down.

  “No tongue,” Ginger called out.

  “Yes tongue!” Marna countered.

  Kaidan was still waiting for them to shut up when I threw my arms around his neck and pressed my lips to his. It didn’t take him long to sink into me. I felt his tongue for a moment, soft against mine, before we were pulling away and pressing our foreheads together.

  We were married.

  “Did we really just do that?” he whispered, eyes wide. I smiled, nodding, bursting with a crazy, all-consuming happiness. The cabin buzzed with hyper energy.

  “Should I be this turned-on by a wedding?” he asked.

  Ginger snorted. “You get turned on when the wind blows.”

  I giggled and Kai grinned at me.

  “I now present Mr. and Mrs. Kaidan Rowe,” Blake said.

  “Aw,” Marna said with a sigh.

  “Words I never thought I’d hear,” Ginger murmured.

  “Me neither.” Kaidan pecked my lips once more. He looked more alive and content than I’d ever seen him.

  “Now to your final destination,” Blake said as he headed for the cockpit.

  “Which is where?” I asked.

  “Ask your husband,” Blake answered as he took his seat.

  “Husband!” Marna squeaked.

  “Weird,” I whispered.

  Kaidan’s half grin was killer. “Am I less sexy now?”

  “Um, no,” I assured him.

  “You have to live together and start seeing each other’s annoying, nasty little habits before that happens,” Marna informed him.

  Ginger nodded. “And have your first row.”

  “We’ve had loads of rows,” Kaidan said.

  “Yep. We’re like an old married couple when it comes to fighting.”

  Kaidan and I pretended to push each other, but it ended with him holding me. I looked up at him.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Somewhere I should have taken you years ago. The Grand Canyon.”

  I buried my face in his chest as yet another wave of emotion and memories crashed over me.

  The road trip when I’d wanted to detour to the Grand Canyon, but we didn’t, because he sent me home alone.

  The postcard he’d mailed from the Grand Canyon when he cut me out of his life and moved to L.A.

  So many ups and downs. So many months of wondering how he really felt, and not knowing if he was okay. And all along he’d loved me. All along we were going to be together.

  “You okay, luv?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I whispered. I was far better than okay.

  “Time to buckle up,” Blake said, getting fancy by using the intercom system. “We are now beginning our initial descent into the Grand Canyon area. Please, uh, stow all your luggage in the, uh . . .”

  “Overhead compartments,” called out the twins in sync as Blake fumbled his way through the landing spiel.

  While they chattered, Kaidan and I linked fingers and held tight, impromptu husband and wife headed for our one-night honeymoon at one of the world’s natural wonders.

  “Oh, man, look out your windows,” Blake said.

  A collective gasp sounded as we all leaned over and took in the great expanse below—a massive crevice in the earth’s surface as far as we could see and deeper than we could fathom. The enormity of it was spooky. I looked up into the blue depths of Kaidan’s eyes, which held warm promises that sent a shiver to my core. It was a day for beautiful, unfathomable, wondrous things.

  With each dip of the plane, my heart soared, and I thanked heaven for loopholes and long-lost dreams come true.

  UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

  HarperCollins Publishers

  ..................................................................

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  IMPATIENT FRECKLES

  Kaidan and I said our good-byes to the others and took a cab together, all the while searching the skies. This seemed too good to be true. I didn’t want to think that way, but I’d never wanted anything as badly as I wanted this night with Kaidan. After two years of longing, we could finally be together, and it would bring us some measure of safety.

  I still couldn’t believe this was possible. I’d been so paranoid about the hilt and its unforgiving judgment that I hadn’t taken into account the power of love and loyalty, for which the Sword of Righteousness could not fault us. It seemed so obvious now. So right.

  “Grand Canyon’s right over there,” the cabbie said, pointing to the left. “Your place ain’t far. You could probably walk.”

  As we drove past, we stared through patchy trees and saw railings along a dry, rocky ledge, and then nothing. Just a massive drop and a sky darkening into dusk. Kaidan and I cuddled closer as we leaned toward the window to peer out together. It was almost enough to make me forget everything out there in the world that wanted to hurt us. But Kaidan never forgot. He peered around at our surroundings again in that protective, cautious way, and it brought me back to reality.

  Minutes later we were parked outside a modern log cabin. An uncontrollable grin split my face as nerves overtook me once more.

  Kaidan and Blake had been busy boys during our wait this afternoon. Along with getting the rings, Kaidan had scored an amazing resort cabin.

  The cabbie drove away, leaving us standing on the front step in silence. I stared at Kai’s badge for what felt like a long time before he touched my chin and I met his eyes. The night was warm, and yet I found myself shivering.

  Without warning, Kaidan picked me up, cradling me in his arms.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Er . . . carrying you over the threshold. That’s what I’m supposed to do, right?”

  I giggled and he gave the cutest sheepish grin. “I think it’s supposed to be the threshold of our home, but I like it.”

  He held his face an inch from mine. “This is our home tonight. Anywhere with you is my home.”


  Love for him lit every corner of my soul. I held myself up with my arms around his neck, giving him a soft kiss. “Take me inside,” I whispered. The scent of sweet and spicy citrus filled my nose.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Inside, I drew a deep breath as he set me on my feet and closed the door. I said a silent prayer that no whisperers would find us this night, and I vowed to myself not to spend our time together worrying. I would focus on Kai and let him distract me.

  The cabin was exquisite. Everything from floor to ceiling was natural stone and wood beams. It had a rustic atmosphere, with the added luxury of modern amenities.

  We walked into the single room with its steepled roof, and I covered my mouth to stifle an excited squeal. The bed. The bed! I’d never seen anything like it. The headboard was part of an enormous tree, and the branches jutted out high over the top of the king-size bed like a canopy. I ran to it and jumped into the fluffy comforter made of soft fall colors.

  “This is so awesome!” I bounced on my knees, grabbing a silky brown pillow with turquoise trim and squeezing it. Kaidan stood against the wall with his hands in his pockets, looking amused.

  I leaped off the bed and grabbed his hand, pulling him to the bathroom, where I clapped my hands at the sight of an oversized claw-foot tub. A sliding door caught my attention next and I opened it, walking out and gasping.

  “An outdoor shower!” I said. The area was enclosed by stone walls for privacy, but open to the darkening sky.

  Kaidan stood in the doorway. “I’m having flashbacks of the sixteen-year-old girl I took on a road trip who got excited over every little thing.”

  I blushed and he stepped out onto the stones, cupping my cheek and then sliding his hand into my hair. “It’s adorable, luv,” he whispered. And then he kissed me.

  My heart started pounding as his lips moved against mine. For the first time ever we wouldn’t have to be careful or hold back, and it sent a nervous jolt to my core. I didn’t know what to do. I knew how he made me feel, like we could never be close enough, but I didn’t know how to channel those instincts.