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Prologue - Chapter 5

Mikael couldn't help but be amazed by this little human female. She felt sadness over something she had no control over or any way to change. “I wish I could change to my human form and experience your world as it is now. Galena tells me you have something called coffee that is amazing.”

“Oh yes! Coffee is wonderful! There are things I think you would enjoy experiencing, like Mexican Food and Pizza and Cake, oh and of course Chocolate Mousse. Oh I can just go on and on.”

Mikael chuckled at her enthusiasm.

“Hey, I wanted to ask but you don't have to answer unless you want to. I can be rather nosy. What exactly are the details of the curse?” Nira asked with some trepidation.

“Mordecai played on Mother's fear that I would leave her and convinced her that she could prevent me from leaving the Dark Realms. She believed the dark magick spell she was using would only prevent me from being able to leave. Mordecai changed the spell so that I was unable to change forms. It also slowly drained my powers causing me pain. Neither she or Mordecai have ever given any indication of a way to break it but I know in magick there is always a way.”

“Has Damian or anyone talked to the Magick Consortium? Since it's dark magick maybe they know how to break it,” Nira asked, thinking out loud.

“My mother cut off all ties with them when they tried to stop her using dark magick. Damian asked your father to try but I don't believe they were able to find anything,” Mikael sighed.

“Well, no giving up. A way will show itself. I know it,” Nira smiled at him. “I was wondering though, can you cross the realm veil? I know that you said the spell was supposed to stop you from leaving the Dark Realms, but can you? I have to strengthen it but I thought I could show you some cool stuff on my phone before I did.”

“I haven't tried, honestly. I didn't want to appear in this form and terrorize some innocent human.”

“Well, you don't terrorize me and no one else is in this cave. See if you can cross over so I can show how much my world has changed since you were last here. A lot has changed in eight hundred years.”

“Are you sure? I'm rather large, ugly, and...”

“And nothing. Yes, you are large but that's ok because this cavern is very large. You are NOT ugly. I've only said that like fifty times. So just try. I'd love it!” Nira persuaded.

Mikael took a step back and taking a deep breath, he walked through the realm veil. Shaking himself he growled a bit before looking at Nira. “That didn't feel great but wasn't painful either.”

Nira could finally fully appreciate Mikael now that he was in front of her. He was big, really big. He had to be hitting seven feet easily. He wore dark pants and nothing else. Even his pants couldn't hide the muscles in his legs or the bulge in his pants. His chest and arms though were in full view. To say the guy had muscles was like saying that chocolate mousse was just ok when everyone knew it was to-die-for yummy! The glowing tattoos on his arms were actually golden in color and were gorgeous if it wasn't for the fact that they caused him pain.

“Let's see, how about you join me on this rock. If you sit here will your wings be ok?” she asked as she tried not to gawk too much as she appreciated the color of his skin which seemed to change by the angle you looked at it or how powerful and fearsome his horns appeared. Mostly she found herself shying away from looking into his gorgeous obsidian colored eyes with green flecks in them because she knew she could get lost looking into those eyes that held such emotion in them.

“I think so,” Mikael mumbled as he joined Nira on a large rock. “Can you show me this coffee?”

“I can only show you right now but I promise I will make sure you can try it and other things I know you're going to love.” Nira pulled up all of the information she had on coffee. Then she started to show him everything she loved.

For hours they watched movies, listened to music and she even shared some of her snacks with him. She loved to watch his reactions and emotions as he smiled more than she knew any Daemoni had smiled. The fact that she could give him such joy by simply being kind made her heart feel joy beyond measure. Without realizing it she leaned to rest her head on his arm as they watched yet another movie.

Mikael looked down at her, trying to hide his surprise. She was so beautiful and he realized that with her he felt calm and at peace. As she drifted off into a deep slumber, Mikael refused to move. He wanted to treasure every moment with her. He knew she couldn't stay in this cave forever and as much as he wanted to, he couldn't bring her to the Dark Realms. Her soul could become tainted and then she would be forced to remain.

Suddenly the air shifted ever so slightly as Galena appeared. “Mikael, I am surprised to see you here and yet I am not. Are you ok?”

“I am. I feel at peace with her. How is that possible? She's just a human.”

“Not just any human. She sees your soul, sees who you are inside and isn't afraid of your shell. She doesn't care about your power or who your parents are. She doesn't care if you are Daemoni or Human. She cares about what she sees in your heart,” Galena whispered so as not to wake her.

“I know she can't stay, but why is it that I wish she could? What is this pounding in my chest? What are these strange feelings? She calms me yet leaves me confused,” Mikael growled in frustration.

Galena watched as Mikael held Nira's hand and without even realizing it, ran his claw over her skin tenderly. “The pounding in your chest is your heart, which is feeling new emotions. You are developing feelings for her, perhaps even falling in love with her, Mikael. Just enjoy these feelings and it will work itself out. I promise you! You never know what the future holds for you, but from what I can tell you, it's full of surprises.”

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