by Lea Kirk
“That guy with black wings was at the aviary,” Robyn said. “Who is he?”
“I believe you would call him my bodyguard.” Kyzel took another bite of Polish sausage.
She gave him a surprised look. “What do you do that you need a bodyguard?”
The black-haired woman shouted something indecipherable at Fyad and stomped her foot. The other Bezchian’s laugh was clear, even though his words in reply were not.
He could not tell Robyn the full story yet, but he also would not lie. “I am the head of a large institution.”
What was Fyad doing?
“You mean, like a high-profile company or something?”
“Hmmm.” The black-haired female jumped, reaching for Fyad’s foot, and missing by the feather’s width.
There was something familiar about her. She resembled the young human who had spoken to him and Rol on the street last night. Whatever was happening between her and Fyad now could not be good. He made a move to rise, but the touch of Robyn’s hand on his arm stopped him.
“She was taking pictures of the incident at the aviary,” Robyn explained. “He took her camera away from her there, too. I’m guessing she stalked us to the park and was hiding in the bushes, taking more shots of us eating.”
Kyzel frowned. “Is this normal behavior for a human?”
“Not often.” She shrugged her shoulders. “But, you’re a high-profile businessman, so maybe she recognized you.”
A stone of dread settled in his stomach. It would not be good to be recognized, not at this point, anyway.
Fyad flapped away with the strapped item, sending a whirlwind of leaves and dust circling around the obviously infuriated female.
Kyzel made a small grunt and returned his attention to Robyn. “If that is the case, then Fyad is doing his job. It irked me when my people insisted that I bring others with me as protection. Apparently, their counsel was sounder than I thought.”
“You mean others came with you too?”
“Only my friend, Rol. He is one of those who worries over-much.”
Robyn laughed. “My best friend, Meryl is the same about me sometimes.”
“It is good to have friends who care.”
“Yes, it is.”
He popped the last bite of the Earth sausage into his mouth, and bit down. It was a lovely combination of unfamiliar flavors, spicy, but not too hot. “I do not know what Polishes are, but they are delicious in a sausage. Can they be used in other foods?”
Robyn seemed to choke on her drink, and he gave her a firm pat on her back. Finally, she caught her breath. “Polish is not an ingredient. It refers to the country this sausage came from originally. Poland. That’s why they’re called Polish sausages.”
Heat rose to his face. “It seems I have much to learn about your world.”
“As much as I have to learn about your world.” She patted his forearm, and again anticipation raced through him. “Sounds like fun, huh?”
He met her bright blue gaze. “With you, yes.”
She wrapped her hands around his and raised it up to study. “I thought so. You have talons instead of fingernails. Look.” She held up her free hand.
The ends of her fingers were covered with smooth, hard, pale pink—what did she call them? Fingernails?
He peered closer. “Are they painted?”
“Yep. It’s called fingernail polish.”
“But, why?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “Because it makes me feel pretty.”
He met her gaze. “You are beautiful, Robyn Martin Donahue.”
Her entire face turned the same pink as her nails, but she smiled. “Thank you, but let’s drop the Donahue, okay? No need to bring my ex into our conversations.”
“Names work different here, I see.” On Bezchi, everyone was identified by their clan. Raptorclaw, Firewing, Landwalker, and so on.
“Yeah. Unfortunately, it costs money to change a name here. That’s why I still have Donahue.” She lowered her gaze back to his hand. “So, how do your talons work?”
He extended them partway. “I can extend and retract them at will.”
“Wow, that’s pretty nifty. Do you use them often?”
“No.” He pulled them back in so they would not scratch her. “Our kind used to hunt, but modern technology has removed that need.”
“Same for most humans.” She wove her fingers through his, her soft sigh full of contentment. “This has been fun, Kyzel. I’m glad you came back this morning.”
So was he. “I have had a wonderful morning, Robyn. Would you consider accompanying me to dinner tonight?”
Her smile lit the space between them like the sun coming out from behind a cloud. “I’d love to, Kyzel Raptorclaw.”
Chapter 10
Robyn pushed, and the hangers slid along the painted wooden closet rod. “Dress, skirt, or pantsuit, Meryl?”
“I got this, amateur.” Meryl grabbed her arm and tugged. “Let me choose. You go do your make-up.”
“Fine.” Her friend usually did a better job picking appropriate outfits for any occasion anyway.
As she danced out of Meryl’s way, a small giggle bubbled out—an honest-to-God giggle, like she was college coed going on a date with the senior star quarterback. It was silly, but when had she ever felt like that about any of the guys she’d dated?
“He’s taking you to Snodgrass’s, right?” Meryl asked.
“Yep.” Best steakhouse in town, and one of the few local restaurants with a palatial front door.
They also had a reputation for catering to the specific dining needs of their off-world guests, like a chair without a back for Kyzel’s wings.
“Good choice. All right, let’s see here….” Meryl’s words became indecipherable mumbles as the scrape of plastic on wood resumed.
Robyn planted her bottom in the vanity chair and stared at her reflection. There was a definite spark in her eyes that she hadn’t seen for…years? Decades? Certainly not since she was an infatuated nineteen-year-old bride embarking on what was supposed to be the grandest adventure of her life.
She dipped her make-up brush into the foundation and made dots across her face. That adventure had fizzled quickly. By thirty, the spark had dulled to an ember of resignation. She stroked the brush over her skin, blending the foundation into a satin-smooth finish, then moved on to her blush.
In hindsight, the clues to Kevin’s control issues had been there from the beginning. How many guys went dress shopping with their fiancée and chose their wedding dress for them? Why had she ever believed that him doing so was an adorable expression of his devotion?
“Ah ha.” Meryl emerged from the closet holding a hanger high. “Sexy in a black pantsuit.”
Ooh, yes. The crepe, waist-hugging, flare-legged outfit with a scarf neck was elegant, and yes, even a little sexy.
“It’ll look perfect with red lipstick, and your white pearl earrings.”
“You mean the earrings Kevin gave me?” She squished her face to match her uncertainty. “Don’t you think that’d be like intentionally jinxing my date with Kyzel?”
“Spare me the drama, Robbi.” Meryl laid the pantsuit on the bed. “Your date is what you make of it. Besides, those pearls are karma’s way of rewarding you for all the shit you put up with from that ass-clown.”
Wasn’t that the truth? “You always find a way to put everything into perspective.”
“And speaking of perspective.” Her friend sat on the end of the bed and met her gaze. “I have a really good feeling about this guy.”
“Oh, you do, do you?”
“I do.”
“So do I.” Robyn gave her friend a gentle smile. “There’s something about him that’s…different. Special. Hot.”
Now Meryl laughed. “In all the years we’ve known each other, I’ve never seen you shine so much.”
“Oh, please.” She gave a dismissive wave and turned back to t
he vanity.
“Do you know how many guys you’ve dated who got this kind of reaction out of you?” Meryl continued. “None. Zero. Not a single one.”
Robyn met her own gaze in the mirror again. The sparkle was still there, and just the thought of Kyzel filled her heart full to bursting. And this was only their second date. “You might have a point.”
“But,” Meryl lowered her voice, “he’s from another planet, honey. What are you going to do if things work out?”
It wasn’t that she hadn’t thought about that scenario, hadn’t considered the implications of a long-term relationship with Kyzel. If it were just Kevin she’d be leaving behind, the decision would be a no-brainer. But she had Karen, Kev, and Kathy to think about. Could she just up and leave them behind, if things got that serious?
She shifted her gaze to Meryl’s reflection. “I…don’t know.”
Kyzel rapped his knuckles against Robyn’s front door, then gave his wings a quick shake to release some of his tension. Rol’s lack of enthusiasm about his fledgling relationship with Robyn stung. Was it too much for his friend to stir up some sort of positivity, even if just for show?
The door opened, and Robyn stunned his senses with her smile. “Hi, Kyzel.”
“Robyn.” It was all he could choke out. By the immortals, she was regal in her curve-hugging black outfit. “I have missed your smile.”
“Oh.” The lovely rosy pink color was back in her cheeks, and she looked down at her feet in their strappy black sandals.
He reached out and brushed the backs of his fingers against the soft skin of her cheek. Her warmth heated him to his core. If the only way to look upon her was to stop breathing, he would do so, gladly.
She raised her face, her blue-eyed gaze on him only. “It’s only been four hours.”
“It seems longer.” Much longer.
“A-hem.” An unexpected voice from behind Robyn intruded on the moment.
Robyn startled. “Oh, sorry. Kyzel, this is my best friend, Meryl.”
A slender female, with tightly curled golden hair covering her head, stepped into view. “Nice to meet you, Kyzel.”
He dipped his head in a greeting. “The pleasure is mine, Meryl.”
“Thanks. Well, I’ll just be going now.” Meryl hugged Robyn. “Got my own plans tonight.”
“You do?” Robyn gave her friend a curious look.
“Dinner with my goddaughter, of course.” Meryl moved around him and down the porch steps. “Behave yourselves, kids…or not. Ta-ta.”
Kyzel tilted his head to one side. “What is a goddaughter?”
“I met Meryl a year before I got pregnant with my youngest daughter, Kathy,” Robyn explained as she grabbed her purse, and closed and locked her door. “She and her husband Nathan couldn’t have children, but they helped me out a lot when I ended up on bedrest. I asked them to be Kathy’s godparents when she was baptized.”
“Bap-tized?”
“It’s a religious ceremony.” She took his hand and he allowed her to lead him toward her car in the driveway. Surely, she did not intend to drive to the restaurant. “The simple explanation is that they became part of our family and…oh, dear.”
She stared at her car hard, then at him, and back again. “You won’t fit.”
“No, I will not.”
“It’s too far to walk to Snodgrass’s in these shoes.” The look she gave him was bleak. “I could change into my sneakers.”
“No need.” He moved to stand directly in front of her. “We can fly.”
Her eyes went wide with comprehension. “Isn’t that…dangerous?”
“Not at all.” As long as he stayed high enough to not tangle with the black wires between the poles, and low enough to avoid small Earth aircraft.
“Okay.” She still sounded uncertain. “How’re we going to do this?”
“I will carry you.” He bent, scooped her into his arms, and cradled her against his chest. “Hang on.”
He unfurled his wings, took a step, then another, faster and faster, until he was running across her front yard toward the street.
Robyn snaked her arms around his neck. “Kyyyzzeellll…the streeeeeeet!”
He gave his wings a mighty pump, and leapt.
Oh, my God, we’re flying!
Robyn squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them again. Her house, her car, her entire neighborhood, looked like a miniature toy town. “This…is…amazing.”
Kyzel’s deep laugh rolled over her like a warm wave. “You like it?”
“Oh, my gosh, yes. Everything looks so different from up here.” Different even to the view from an airplane.
A wisp of her hair came loose and whipped in front of her glasses, but there was no way she was letting go of him to fix it. “Next time I’ll remember to wear a scarf.”
“It is good to know there will be a ‘next time.’” The deep, suggestive timbre of his voice shot straight through her like an electric bolt, ending smack dab between her legs.
She turned away from one incredible view to another: the shimmering pleasure in Kyzel’s eyes. His completely black eyes. Not a bit of white showed.
“What happened to your eyes?” The words were out of her mouth before common sense kicked in.
Kyzel’s smile got larger, if that was even possible. “It is a lens that protects my eyes and enhances my vision as I fly. It will help me avoid obstacles.”
Well, that was reassuring.
His smile faltered. “Do they bother you?”
“No.” Not in the least. They were kinda sexy, really. “I like them.”
What would he do if she kissed him right now? Would that distract him enough to crash? Probably should avoid that, but a kiss on the cheek should be okay. She raised her head, aiming for his cheek, until Kyzel turned his head and she met his lips. His firm, warm lips.
Her thoughts spun like a spiraling kite, then the kite caught a breeze and soared to heights she’d never expected to reach. Who knew a simple kiss—two sets of lips moving against each other—could elicit such a reaction? Without any tongue action, even?
Kyzel pulled back, just a fraction, and snared her gaze. “So, now we know.” His voice was rough and sent a thrill of excitement straight down her spine. “We both are that interested in each other…and I did not crash.”
A laugh bubbled out of her. “Well, thank God for the last part. And, yes, to the first. How did you know that’s what I was thinking, though?”
“Your face is very expressive.” He grinned back at her. “We should be careful about how severely we test my flying skills, though. This is the first time I have carried another, other than my fledglings, and that was years ago.”
Heat stung her cheeks. “Am I too heavy?”
“No.” There was so much sincerity behind that word. “You are perfect.”
Chapter 11
“Careene and I raised six fledglings to adulthood. Four daughters and two sons.”
Robyn watched Kyzel’s expression over the rim of her wine glass as he ran down the attributes of each of his children, his eyes alight with love. Bragging rights were a parent’s due, but Kyzel spoke of them and their individual accomplishments without taking credit for himself. And, frankly, she’d do just about anything to keep him talking. It was like his voice resonated with her down to the marrow of her bones.
And between her legs.
Kyzel smiled. “It is one of my greatest comforts to know that Careene lived to see them fly the nest before she took on with an illness and passed to The Great Aerie a year ago.”
“I’m sorry.” And she meant it, even though she wouldn’t be sitting here with this compassionate man if the woman were still alive.
“She no longer suffers, and that brings our heirs and me great peace.”
“Heirs? Is that what they are now that they’re not fledglings anymore?” And how exactly would they feel about their father hooking up with someone from anothe
r planet?
“In a manner of speaking. All Bezchians are heirs of our world.”
“Ooh, that’s poetic. I like it.”
Kyzel’s smile brightened and he reached for his wine glass. “Now, it is your turn. Tell me about your three children. Is that the correct word?”
“Yes, children.” Her mother’s heart filled to bursting. “You know about Kathy already. She lives a half hour away. My first born, Karen lives in Colorado with her husband, and is a mother herself now. Their daughter, my granddaughter, Danica is two years old. And Kevin, Jr. is single, a geologist, and currently lives in Arizona.”
Kyzel frowned. “Your former mate’s name is Kevin, correct?”
Boy, he picked up on that really fast. “Yep. Remember how I said he was controlling?” She paused for him to nod. “When I was pregnant with our first baby, he wanted a boy so bad just to name it after himself. But, when we found out it was a girl, he decided her name should at least begin with a K like his. Did the same with Kathy.”
Which wasn’t even short for Kathleen or Kathrine. Just Kathy.
“Naming a fled…child after one’s self….” He stopped. “I am sorry. It is none of my concern.”
She gave a little laugh. “You’re right. He was driven by his ego. It isn’t always like that, though. In other families it’s more about family and belonging. But in Kevin’s case, it was all about him.” She huffed a small laugh. “Fortunately, I was ‘allowed’ to choose their middle names, which are a bit more creative.”
“We do this too on Bezchi. Most monarchs will have at least one fledging named with a combination of their names.” He blinked a couple of times, then looked down at his wine glass as if he’d said too much.
That was weird. “I’ve heard about the monarchs on Bezchi. They’re elected and rule in pairs, right?”
“That is correct.” Kyzel shifted slightly on his bench. “All monarchs from all the clans mate for life. Some clans have a mixture of members who are life mates, and seasonal mates. The Firewing clan does not mate until they find their soulmate.” His gaze met hers, sharp with emphasis. “But all raptors mate for life.”
