Body and Soul (The Chronicles of Light and Darkness Book 1)

by Jamie Loeak

who was half-listening, half-ignoring them, because she had no idea what was going on. Kate smiled at her mom’s confusion and decided that it was time to change the subject, mostly because she wanted to steer the conversation away from her imminent and depressing future.

  “Donovan?” she asked.

  “Yes?” he replied in that musical voice.

  “Can I ask you a personal question? You don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to. I don’t want to force you to, or make you feel like you have to.” She trailed off, not knowing how to continue.

  Donovan swallowed his drink and smiled. “I still owe you, Kate. I will answer anything. No matter what it is.”

  “Okay,” Kate said uncertainly. “I know that you get a glimpse of eternal life after taking a human soul. I was wondering if you could tell me about it, about my father’s location, about what he’s doing.”

  “Your father is living in paradise, Kate. Your soul chooses its location, but I did not obtain your father’s soul so I do not know where he is or what he is experiencing at the moment. I apologize for my inability to answer your question. I will, however, ask Light for you, if you still seek answers, Kate. Would you like me to find out for you?”

  “No,” Kate admitted.

  “Are you certain you don’t want to know?”

  “Yes,” she said honestly. “I’m sure. I think I’m strong enough to wait until I see him again. I’m strong enough to say goodbye for now.” Kate turned to her mother. “I still have my mom with me. That’s all I need,” she said with a smile as she took her mom’s hand into her own.

  Blaire, who was still in a daze, finally awoke and smiled at them all. She leaned forward and set her mug down on the table. “I think it’s time I learned about this world of Light and Darkness, demons and humans.”

  For the next hour, Blaire listened as Rico and Adriana explained everything to her. She believed everything they said, knowing that they were telling the truth. She cried, remembering her loving husband, but reminded herself that his soul was waiting for her in Light’s Kingdom. They would meet again one day; they would share their eternal lives together, but only after she lived a long and beautiful life on Earth, with her daughter.

  “Rico?” Kate asked after everyone had gone home.

  The couple was now in Kate’s bedroom, lying together on her bed. Kate was underneath the blanket, kept warm even though Rico’s colder body lay inches from hers. Rico’s eyes were tired but full of life; Kate’s eyes shown bright with a mixture of happiness and grief. Both were eager to escape the turmoil of the fight that had just happened, but neither seemed willing to discuss the matter.

  Rico turned to look at Kate. “Yes?” he asked as he reached up and pushed her curls behind her ears.

  Kate lifted herself up, propping her head on her elbow. “Donovan told Adriana that he loved her. He said that he realized that it was true because of me. Do you think that you could ever love me the way that they love each other?” Kate asked. She ran her fingers over the delicate swirling pattern that painted her blanket, afraid to look into Rico’s eyes.

  Rico smiled and pulled Kate into a long and passionate kiss. Her lips were warm against his, but tense because of the loss that she had just endured. He felt her escape from the pain while in his arms, melting into him so that he shared her pain.

  “Kate,” he started when they pulled apart. “I do love you. I know that I do.” Rico pulled Kate’s eyes to his, making sure that he had her full attention, making sure that she listened to and believed his next words. “When I’m with you, I feel as though I’m more than an empty, frozen shell of a man. I feel warmer, almost as if there is a soul burning deep inside of me, somewhere.” Rico moved his hand up Kate’s cheek, following the pink trail of her blush.

  Kate leaned forward and rested her head against Rico’s broad chest. “I love you too,” she whispered. “I love you, body and soul. Forever,” she added.

  Rico kissed her again. And this time, he melted into her. He felt Kate’s warmth pulsing against him. Her soul reached out to embrace him, to love him, and when they pulled apart, breathless, her warmth lingered.

  Kate sat silently after their kiss. She twisted Rico’s necklace as it hung loosely around her neck and watched the shimmers of light dance around her walls. She bit her lower lip softly as she contemplated the future. “Rico?” she asked a second later.

  “Yes, Kate? What are you thinking about?” Rico asked in return.

  “Do you think you’ll be given the opportunity to gain a soul?”

  “I don’t know,” he said honestly. He sat up and looked down at her. “What do you think?” he asked seriously.

  “I think that it’s possible for you,” Kate replied as she sat up and faced Rico. She bit her lower lip as surges of hope coursed through her veins. “It happened to Donovan. I think it could happen for you as well.”

  “Are you asking me to obtain a soul, Kate?” Rico’s eyebrow lifted slightly in amusement, but he looked into Kate’s grey eyes seriously, waiting for her response.

  Kate leaned forward and kissed the tip of his nose. “I’m begging you,” she whispered as she snuggled into his chest. Her arms wrapped around him, holding him tightly. She wanted him to be someone that she could imagine a future with; she wanted him to love her the way that she loved him, body and soul. Forever.

  Rico kissed the top of Kate’s head. “I will do whatever I must in order to obtain a soul for you, Kate Warren. I will, for you.”

  Kate’s heart fluttered at Rico’s words. She leaned into him and kissed him lightly. When she pulled away, she rested her head on his shoulder, wondering if the story that he had revealed earlier could be accurate. Could Rico obtain a soul and live a mortal life? Did they have a future together?

  Find out more when you read the highly anticipated sequel to

  Body and Soul,

  The Keeper of the Keys.

  Thank you!

  I send a thank you to everyone who believed in me. I truly thank you for having faith in my ability to weave a story with words, and finish it.

  To Dad – Thanks for bugging me every day. Yes, the questions were annoying at the time, but now that both the manuscript and cover are finished, you can ask me any question you want. Thanks for being proud of me.

  To Mom – Thanks for reading my book and telling me about my spelling errors! I promise that you’ll be a part of the editing process next time. Thanks for being proud of me, too. And thanks for leaving me at home for that one long, yet productive, week.

  To Gracie – Thank you for being my first reader. Don’t forget, we’re going to the movie premiere together! Thank you for giving me my first, honest, review.

  To everyone else that has purchased or read my book, I hope that you love Kate and Rico as much as I do. I’m so thankful for all of you. I write the rest of Kate’s story every day for you. Thank you again! And keep reading!

  Jamie :)